4/1/21 Newsletter

covid
April 1, 2021
This is a week filled with religious observations! To all who observe, whether you celebrated Passover, Holi, or the Christian holy week culminating with Easter this Sunday, I wish you and your families peace and joy. 

Traditionally, these celebrations are a time of togetherness and joy with our families and loved ones. However, like so many milestones this year, these celebrations will continue to be different as we are still in the midst of this pandemic, and positivity rates are once again on the rise in Connecticut. I know how difficult this is. My family, like so many, lives far from our extended families and is pained by marking yet another holiday away from the ones we love. Our religious observations are a timely reminder that hardships end and renewed life prevails. 

Thankfully, today all residents over the age of 16 are eligible to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine. This new rollout of eligibility is four days earlier than previously scheduled -- a testament to the diligence and efficiency of Connecticut's healthcare workers. 

The new round of eligibility is the largest increase on a single date since the vaccine rollout began in December. Below, you'll find information on how and where to schedule a vaccine appointment. 
Please note that at the time of the vaccine appointment, minors (ages 16-17) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to consent to the vaccine. 
 
To schedule an appointment today, please visit the VAMS webpage:  https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/OnlineVaccine

In addition to the state's centralized portal, many health providers are offering vaccine appointments though their own scheduling systems. When you become eligible, you may want to take a look at one of those portals to find an appointment that is convenient for you. 

Yale New Haven Health
Sign up online here, or call 1-833-ASK-YNHH (275-9644)

CVS Health (Limited Locations)
Sign up online here, or call 1-800-679-9691.

Walgreens (Limited Locations)
Sign up online here, or call 1-800-925-4733

Stamford Health
Sign-up online here, or call 203-276-7300.

Hartford Healthcare
Sign-up online here, or call 860-827-7690.

Priority Access For High-Risk Conditions:
Priority Access to COVID-19 vaccinations will be extended to individuals with medically high-risk conditions between the ages of 16 and 44.

The following conditions will be included in priority access:

  • Sickle cell disease
  • End state renal disease (on dialysis)
  • Active cancer treatment
  • Solid organ transplant
  • Down syndrome

Hospitals will contact patients with those conditions directly. In addition, all patients of Connecticut Children’s and Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital will receive priority planning in the vaccination process.

Furthermore, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities will be able to receive vaccinations at dedicated clinics organized by the Department of Social Services.

Additional information on making an appointment and finding the closest available clinic can be found online at ct.gov/covidvaccine. Those without access to the internet can call the Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224. The assist line is available seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
 
ZONING: HOW DID WE GET HERE AND WHERE DO WE GO NOW?
As of yesterday, committee work in the Planning & Development Committee is complete. We now have a clearer picture of which zoning proposals are moving ahead to the next stage in the process. I hope you’ll join me on Wednesday as I discuss them, their impact on Fairfield, and where we go from here with local zoning experts Lenny Braman and Danielle Dobin.
Register Here
 
MAIN STREET WORKING GROUP EVENT
Please join me for the Main Street Working Group's upcoming webinar, Advocating for Main Street, on April 7th at 10:00 am.

In this webinar, I and my co-chairs, Reps. Garibay and Phipps, will discuss our mission to revitalize and enhance downtowns, town villages, and neighborhood commercial corridors throughout the state.
  
Sign up here:  http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=yk5qklbab&oeidk=a07eholz9hh1c170807
 
OFFICE HOURS 
Have a question or concern you would like to discuss? Please sign up for my office hours on Saturday, April 3rd, 9:00 - 11:00AM or Tuesday, April 13th, 6:00 - 7:30PM, so we can have a conversation.
Schedule Here
 
AGING DISCUSSION WITH FAIRFIELD SENIOR ADVOCATES RECAP
On Tuesday, I joined the Chair of the Aging Committee, Rep. Phipps, for an informative Zoom Session to discuss key aging-related legislation and to obtain community input on how these proposals impact seniors and their families.

In this discussion we addressed:
• An act concerning an income tax deduction for the cost of home health care
• An act expanding eligibility for the Alzeimer's disease respite program
• An act permitting the spouse of an institutionalized Medicaid recipient to retain the maximum amount of allowable assets
• An act increasing funding for aging in place initiatives

To listen to our discussion, please click the button below and use the following passcode: zCqDN%^4
Watch Here
 
NEW FAIRFIELD CLUB HOUSE 
Congratulations to the H. Smith Richardson Building Committee and Craig Curley for the grand opening of the new club house at the Fairfield Town Golf Course!

The beautiful space is complete with a pro shop that overlooks the first tee, and the Boca Grille and Raw Bar--open to golfers and non-golfers alike.

This project would not have been possible without the countless hours of hard work from so many volunteers in our community. Thank you to everyone involved in this amazing project that improves our entire community. I feel very grateful to be a Fairfield resident!