Access Health Chats, Vaccine Update, & CT Re-opening

March 8, 2021
It is vital that individuals in the Intellectual and Developmental Disability Community are prioritized throughout vaccine distribution. These members of our community have been severely impacted by the pandemic. Many individuals in the I/DD require essential treatment and developmental programs; however, they may be immunocompromised and cannot wear a mask as a result of their condition. It is vital that this vulnerable population is prioritized going forward. To understand more, please read my position below as a member of the Bipartisan Commission on Intellectual Disabilities and the Impact of COVID-19. 
Earlier this week, I was fortunate enough to be one of the first visitors of Favarh’s new Bear Woods Apartment. I hope you’ll take the time to watch the video to see how members of the I/DD community in Canton are living independently, many for the first time. Please click the image below to view the video. Bear Woods is the only community like it in the nation. Kudos to Stephen Morris and his staff for making this dream a reality.
 
International Women's Day

It's International Women's Day and I am very proud to serve beside each of these women in the Connecticut General Assembly!
For International Women's Day, the U.N. has 12 small ways you can support women.

"This year’s theme for the International Day,"Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world", celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic."
Click here to read more
 

Vaccine Update 

With roughly 20% of U.S. residents having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, many are wondering when life can return to a semblance of our pre-pandemic lives. It is understandable that people are eager to see friends and family in-person rather than through a screen, go out to eat, or listen to live music again, particularly in light of the upcoming loosening of certain restrictions in Connecticut.

To that end, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new guidelines on what kinds of activities are safe to resume after you and your family are fully vaccinated.

According to the CDC, once you are fully vaccinated: 

  • You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
  • You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
  • If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms. 
    • However, if you live in a group setting (like a correctional or detention facility or group home) and are around someone who has COVID-19, you should still stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms.

While this is certainly good news, the CDC does still recommend, however, that everyone, including those fully vaccinated, continue to wear masks and practice social distancing when in a public place or at a social gathering with unvaccinated people from multiple households. The CDC also strongly recommends avoiding medium and large sized gatherings, as well as extensive domestic or international travel.

A reminder- you are only considered fully vaccinated after two weeks following: 

  • The second of two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine; or
  • The single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine

To read more about these new guidelines from the CDC, click here. As we work to get everyone vaccinated and finally put this pandemic behind us, make sure to wear your mask, practice social distancing, and wash your hands.
 
CT Re-opening Update
 

Governor Lamont has announced a phased rollback of some COVID-19 restrictions. It’s important to remember that while these restrictions are being rolled back as the state begins to reopen, the state is still requiring all residents to wear face coverings or masks in public to limit the transmission of COVID-19.
 
On March 19th, just two weeks from now, the state will rollback capacity restrictions for places like restaurants, retail stores, libraries, personal services, indoor recreation (excluding theaters), gyms/fitness centers, museums, aquariums, zoos, offices, and houses of worship. Although capacity in these venues may return to 100%, face coverings, social distancing, and other cleaning and disinfecting protocols will continue to be required.

Restrictions on social and recreational gatherings will also be modified as follows:  

  • Social and recreational gatherings at private residence – 25 indoors/100 outdoors 
  • Social and recreational gatherings at commercial venues – 100 indoors/200 outdoors
In late March and April reopening continues with: Capacity limits on early childhood classes increasing from 16 to 20 students 
  • Outdoor amusement parks can open 
  • Outdoor event venues can increase to a 50% capacity, capped at 10,000 people 
  • Indoor stadiums can open at 10% capacity 
  • Summer camps and summer festivals may begin planning stages to open for the upcoming season 

As we move toward a full reopening it still important to take precautions until a majority of Connecticut residents receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Wear your mask, stay socially distance, and wash your hands.
 
Access Health CT Chats
 
Access Health CT is offering informational chats via zoom regarding Special Enrollment Period that runs through 3/15.
 
Don't go uninsured during this difficult time.
 
If you are looking for information regarding quality, affordable health care options, Access Health CT (AHCT) is hosting two free virtual "Healthy Chats" to help residents learn about plan options, financial help, low-cost and free coverage as well as tips on staying covered during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that runs through Monday March 15, 2021.
 
The chats, which are free and offered in English and Spanish, will be held on Tuesday March 9 at 6 p.m. and Wednesday March 10 at 6 p.m. (Spanish only) and can be accessed here or at ahct-2021-healthy-chat.eventbrite.com.
 
Following the chats attendees should have a better understanding of AHCT and how it can help, financial and coverage options available, the SEP application process and that AHCT could be a better, less expensive option than COBRA coverage.
 
As a reminder, eligible customers who enroll between now and March 15 will have their plan go into effect on April 1, 2021, in which the first premium or monthly payment will also be due. 
 
Please note that consumers will not be required to verify their eligibility for this SEP. Those currently enrolled in coverage through AHCT will not be eligible to use this SEP to change plans. Financial help will continue to be available to consumers who qualify.
 
 Access Health CT will continue to offer free help: 
  • Online: AccessHealthCT.com (Live chat: AccessHealthCT.com click “Live Chat” icon) 
  • Phone: 1-855-805-4325, Mon. – Fri.  8 AM - 4 PM
  • With Enrollment Specialists in the community 
  • In-person  help at either of AHCT’s  Navigator partner locations:  
 
Connecticut Education Association 
 
I received nearly 100 postcards from local teachers asking me to advocate on their behalf for remote teaching opportunities, paid leave, and the unsaid, but completely understood, COVID-19 vaccine. Thankfully, Avon resident Wendy Bourget included her phone number on her postcard and we had a long talk about what local teachers were experiencing in their school districts since the pandemic began. I was pleased that after many of us advocated, both the leave and the vaccine were prioritized by the Governor's team. Wendy and I had a quick moment to catch up in person and very soon, I'll be having a hometown chat with more teachers. I've said it since the beginning, we can't call our teachers essential and hail them as (s)heroes if we aren't treating them the same way.