Eleni Kavros DeGraw

Today's email/newsletter topics include:

• HB 5895: An Act Establishing a Task Force on the Reduction of Student Loan Debt, passes the House
• HB 5596: An Act Concerning Telehealth Moves on to Senate
• VA Clinic Open in Newington This Week
• Proposed: Free Museums Visits for CT Kids This Summer
• National Nurses Week Begins Thursday
• Multilingual COVID-19 Fact Sheets (Including vaccination)
• Budget Referendums Next Week in Canton and Avon
• Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

HB5895: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE ON THE REDUCTION OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT PASSES HOUSE

HB 5895: An Act Establishing a Task Force on the Reduction of Student Loan Debt, sailed out of the House on Tuesday.

There are just too many people carrying the burden of student loan debt throughout their lives.

Many young people are living paycheck to paycheck with the cost of their loan debt making milestones like buying a house, achieving an advanced degree, affording a family, and so much more seem like impossibilities.

Just passed, I stood in support of HB5895 during session this week because it will establish a task force to investigate what tools are needed to address this swelling crisis.

Also, throughout the ongoing pandemic, we've seen not only the benefits but the critical need for telehealth services for both patients and providers.

Just passed through the House is HB 5596, An Act Concerning Telehealth, which will extend the safe, comprehensive access to healthcare that has offered vulnerable patients piece of mind and providers the ability to effectively assist patients while combating the pandemic. Read more about it here.

HB5596: AN ACT CONCERNING TELEHEALTH MOVES ON TO SENATE

During Tuesday's session, the Connecticut House of Representatives unanimously voted in favor of H.B. 5596, An Act Concerning Telehealth. If passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor, this bill would extend telehealth benefits for Connecticut residents for the next two years.

Telehealth services have been immensely beneficial to both patients and providers during this pandemic and has been crucial to our most vulnerable residents. Because of the extension, individuals in the state will have access to in-depth healthcare from the comfort of their home as we transition out of the pandemic.

Quality healthcare is important, especially during a global pandemic. Telehealth services ensure that all patients have access to effective assistance from their provider, whether it be in-person or virtually.

VA CLINIC OPEN IN NEWINGTON THIS WEEK

The Connecticut VA Healthcare System is offering COVID-19 vaccine walk-in clinic opportunities to all veterans regardless of VA enrollment status along with the spouses/caregivers of veterans in Primary Care.

If you're eligible, the Newington campus, 55 Willard Avenue Bldg. 2W on the first floor from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and West Haven campus, are open through Friday.

No appointment is necessary.

PROPOSED: FREE MUSEUM VISITS FOR CT KIDS THIS SUMMER

Governor Lamont has proposed launching an initiative that would allow all Connecticut children 18 and under and an adult a visit to any of the state’s participating museums free of charge from July 1 to September 6, according to a press release from the governor's office.

The initiative will be supported by a $15 million investment from the state’s federal recovery funds to the participating museums.

What an opportunity to get out and enjoy a visit to one of the state's spectacular museums, including the Mystic Seaport Museum. Please click on the image below to read the full release.

[photo mysticseaport.org]

NATIONAL NURSES WEEK BEGINS THURSDAY

National Nurses Week starts tomorrow and like with our teachers, I can't imagine a better time for us to feel grateful for the care our nurses have shown their patients in the last difficult year.

I saw this image a few weeks ago and was really struck by the thoughtfulness behind the gesture. Called "the hands of God," in hospitals around the country, nurses would fill latex gloves with warm water to place above and below a patient's hand to simulate a loved one holding their hand at their bedside.

With so many having to say goodbye over a tablet or not being able to visit their loved ones while they were sick, nurses found a way, as they always do, to care and to comfort.
Thank you to all of our nurses for all the care they have given and all the care they have yet to give. If you are a nurse, here's a list of freebies and discounts for you.

MULTILINGUAL COVID-19 FACT SHEETS (INCLUDING VACCINATION)

I wanted to pass along vital information regarding COVID-19 to linguistically, culturally, geographically and otherwise diverse residents in the state.

With the most recent addition of vaccine fact sheets in several more languages, I thought I would make sure you knew of these resources in case you wish to make them available.

Please click on the image below to read fact sheets about COVID-19, including vaccinations, in several different languages.

BUDGET REFERENDUMS NEXT WEEK IN CANTON AND AVON

On Tuesday, May 11th in Canton and Wednesday, May 12th in Avon, all registered voters need to come out to vote on their town’s budget.
 
Canton’s Budget Referendum

Where:	VOTE at The Canton Community Center 40 Dyer Ave, Canton
When:	May 11, 2021
Time:	6 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Vote in person on May 11th or get an Absentee Ballot application HERE

Get your completed application to the Town Clerk at 4 Market Street (either in person or via the Absentee Ballot Drop Box in the Town Hall parking lot) ASAP so that a ballot can be mailed to you.
Absentee ballots are available until May 10, 2021

Avon’s Budget Referendum

Where:	VOTE at The Avon Senior Center
When:	May 12, 2021
Time:	6 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Vote in person or get an absentee application here and return it to the drop box located outside of Town Hall (Building #2) ASAP so that a ballot can be mailed to you.

CELEBRATING CINCO DE MAYO

Do you know why we celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

While a common misconception is that today is Mexican Independence Day, it is actually a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War.
In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo traditions include military parades, recreations of the Battle of Puebla and other festive events. For many Mexicans, however, May 5 is a day like any other: It is not a federal holiday, so offices, banks and stores remain open. Meanwhile, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.

Want to help end the misconceptions around this holiday? Learn more in the articles below and share to spread the word.

Learn more about the history of Cinco de Mayo here. Learn more about how today is celebrated in Puebla, Mexico here.