Maria Horn

Dear Neighbor,

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Before I was elected in 2018, I was a volunteer, a board member, and eventually a Board Chair at Women’s Support Services (WSS) in Sharon.  WSS’s mission is to create a community free of domestic violence and abuse through intervention, prevention, and education.

My work there gave me the privilege of getting to know the many staff members who have dedicated their lives and careers to helping victims of domestic violence, both at WSS and at Susan B. Anthony Project (SBAP) in Torrington, a sister organization providing domestic violence and sexual assault services. I also came to know many whose lives had been impacted by domestic violence, and to admire the strength and bravery it takes to confront abuse, often at the lowest moments of their lives.  I learned from all of them, and carry those lessons into the work I do today. 
 
As allies for victims, and advocates for ending the scourge of domestic violence, we can support organizations like Women’s Support Services and the Susan B. Anthony Project with whatever resources we might have, and we can keep our eyes open and ears tuned to those around us who might need help or support.  Particularly when so many are isolated at home, and under extra financial and/or emotional stress, it’s important for all of us to pay extra attention to our family, friends, and neighbors who might be in need.
 
Both WSS and SBAP will hold their traditional vigils this month, though both will be held online this year:

• On Wednesday, October 28^th at 6 pm SBAP will hold its vigil via their Facebook page;
• On Thursday, October 29^th at 6 pm, WSS will hold its vigil via their website.  

I have two upcoming FB Live Events this week:  

• Wednesday, October 7 at 6:00 pm: a Norfolk Conversation with First Selectman Matt Riiska; and
• Thursday, October 8, at 7:00 pm: an Election Conversation with Sharon Town Clerk Linda Amerighi and Kent Town Clerk Darlene Brady. This is Part III in an ongoing conversation about absentee ballots, and special precautions this year to ensure a safe and secure election.

 
Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• Connecticut Department of Public Health issues Halloween guidance to ensure trick-or-treaters have a safe and healthy holiday
• Resources from the Women’s Business Development Council on Paid Family Medical Leave Act
• Weekly update to the regional travel advisory: New Mexico meets metrics to qualify, no areas removed

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”
 
 
Connecticut Department of Public Health issues Halloween guidance to ensure trick-or-treaters have a safe and healthy holiday
 
The Connecticut Department of Public Health released a document providing guidance to the state’s residents in order to ensure that traditional Halloween activities can be celebrated while being done in a safe and healthy manner amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
 
While the state is not enacting any new rules that are specific to Halloween, the Governor strongly encouraged Connecticut residents who are planning to participate in traditional holiday activities to review the guidance and take the advised precautions seriously in order to limit further spread of the virus.
 
To read the guidance for how to safely celebrate Halloween activities this year, click here.
 
 
Resources from the Women’s Business Development Council on Paid Family Medical Leave Act
 
The Women’s Business Development Council is offering a multi-part series of online events to help businesses get prepared for CT’s Paid Family & Medical Leave Act (PFMLA), which takes effect in January.  Co-sponsored by WBDC and the Connecticut Department of Economic Development (DECD), these conversations will be moderated by WBDC CEO Fran Pastore.  There is no charge.

• If you missed Session #1, you can view a recording here.
• Session #2: Applying Paid Leave to Your Workplace - The Legal Perspective.

WHEN
Wednesday, October 14
TIME
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
WHERE
Live Zoom Call in WBDC Virtual Classroom
REGISTER

• Session #3: Registering Your Business

WHEN
Wednesday, October 21
TIME
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
WHERE
Live Zoom Call in WBDC Virtual Classroom
 
Weekly update to the regional travel advisory: New Mexico meets metrics to qualify, no areas removed
 
The regional travel advisory between Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York that directs incoming travelers from states with a significant community spread of COVID-19 to self-quarantine for a 14-day period was updated today: New Mexico has been added to the list of impacted locations that meet the metrics to qualify, and no states or territories were removed from the list this week.
 
The requirement to quarantine applies to any person traveling into Connecticut from a state with a positive case rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents, or higher than a 10 percent test positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average. It also applies to any person arriving into Connecticut from a country for which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice.
 
Anyone arriving to Connecticut from any of the impacted locations is required to fill out a travel health form upon their arrival. The form can be filled out online at ct.gov/travelform.
 
The list of impacted locations is updated once per week every Tuesday. As of today, the full list of impacted locations under the travel advisory includes:
 
1.                   Alabama
2.                   Alaska
3.                   Arkansas
4.                   Colorado
5.                   Delaware
6.                   Florida
7.                   Georgia
8.                   Guam
9.                   Idaho
10.               Illinois
11.               Indiana
12.               Iowa
13.               Kansas
14.               Kentucky
15.               Louisiana
16.               Minnesota
17.               Mississippi
18.               Missouri
19.               Montana
20.               Nebraska
21.               Nevada
22.               New Mexico
23.               North Carolina
24.               North Dakota
25.               Oklahoma
26.               Puerto Rico
27.               Rhode Island
28.               South Carolina
29.               South Dakota
30.               Tennessee
31.               Texas
32.               Utah
33.               West Virginia
34.               Wisconsin
35.               Wyoming
 
For the most up-to-date information on the regional travel advisory, including an extensive list of frequently asked questions, visitct.gov/Coronavirus/travel.
 
 
Providing information to Connecticut residents
 
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.
 

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms is strongly urged to contact their medical provider.