From our First Selectman, Bob McGarry.
Here are the latest updates regarding the pandemic and its effect on all of us.
I’ll start with some good news. While it’s too early to call it a trend, COVID-19 hospitalizations in CT have declined for 2 days in a row. Not dramatic decreases, but decreases nonetheless.
We now have 16 positive COVID-19 tests in Haddam. Fortunately, we have yet to have a fatality. I’m sure we have many more than 16 cases in town. At the beginning of the outbreak, I was told there were probably 100 infections for every positive test. I expect the actual number of cases may be even higher than that due to the large number of infected people who don’t have symptoms.
Concerns about the unknowing spread of the virus by asymptomatic people led Governor Lamont to issue Executive Order 7BB. The order requires anyone who is out in public to wear a mask or cloth face covering when they can’t maintain the 6 foot social distancing. For those of you wondering why masks are recommended now when they weren’t at the beginning of the outbreak it’s because they’re serving a different purpose now. The masks do little to protect you, the concern at the beginning of the outbreak, but they reduce the potential for asymptomatic people spreading the virus to others. The order becomes effective at 8:00 p.m. tonight, April 20th.
EO 7BB also delayed Connecticut’s presidential primary until August 11th. We have a pressing need for poll workers. 75% of our current poll workers said they wouldn’t work during the pandemic. I understand their concerns, most are over 60 putting them at high risk for COVID-19. (I worked the polls at Haddam Neck. At 64 I was the kid in the room.) If you’re interested in learning more, please see the notice on our website.
Other EOs and highlights issued since I last discussed them include:
7AA – Applies to nursing homes (Nursing homes are a huge COVID-19 concern)
7Z – Suspends in-person attendance at assessment appeals
7X – Protections for residential renters, extension of school closures and other protective measures
7W – No increased experience rating based on COVID-19 unemployment claims
7V – Safe workplace requirements
7U – Health insurance protections
Full details can be found at the CT Coronavirus site, executive orders page.
Post COVID-19 exposure and immunity – If you had or think you had COVID-19 you still need be concerned about exposure. I recently read articles on two studies in the UK and South Korea indicating people who recovered from COVID-19 may not have enough immunity to prevent re-infection. These are very preliminary reports with a small number of patients so the results may be an anomaly. I hope they are. Until we know more, we should all be careful.
Budgets –The town Board of Finance and RSD17 Board of Education are reworking their budgets for next year. The BOE is working to have next year’s budget be no more than this year’s. (Please keep in mind that if the RSD17 budget remains the same, Haddam’s cost will be $1 million more than this year.) The BOE doesn’t plan to hold a referendum on their budget but they will ask for your input. You can find more information on their process at this link. The BOF is trying to adjust the town budget so there is no tax increase. Since we have a little more time to approve our budget, I’m still hopeful we’ll figure out how to do it at a virtual town meeting. We have had successful virtual meetings for the BOF and Economic Development Commission but they didn’t require a public vote.
I’d like to thank all of the essential workers who continue to work in the face of this outbreak. While often unrecognized, you are critical to all of us.
I’m in my office during the week most days. Feel free to call (860) 345-8531 Ext: 205 or email (firstselectman@haddam.org) me if you have comments, questions or concerns.
Please look out for your neighbors and support our local businesses. We will get through this.
