By Cathy Iino.
Hello, Killingworth–
The Wednesday predictions for Connecticut do not look good. Statewide, the number of deaths associated with COVID-19 jumped by 33 on Tuesday and by another 16 on Wednesday. The Tuesday number was deceptive, because there were actually 16 newly reported deaths; the other 17 deaths occurred earlier but had not been reported to CT Department of Public Health. Perhaps because of that spike, the projection from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation is far more dire today than it was: the Institute predicts a peak need for 478 ventilators in our state, almost three times what was predicted yesterday. And it now forecasts almost 1,100 deaths from COVID-19 by August.
Those predictions are horrifying, and they assume that social distancing and sanitary precautions continue through the summer. Don’t give up on flattening the curve!
Transfer Station. In order to keep the Transfer Station open without risking the spread of the coronavirus, we will be operating with new rules, starting immediately:
- A limited number of vehicles will be allowed into the Transfer Station at a time.
- If a line of vehicles is waiting to enter, we will direct vehicles into the parking area by Rocco Reale field rather than letting traffic back up onto Route 81.
- While you are inside the Transfer Station, maintain at least a 6-foot distance between yourself and anyone else.
Please limit yourself to one trip to the Transfer Station per week, and if you do not have to bring bulky waste, we urge you to hold off. Do not go to the Transfer Station at all if you are sick.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Killingworth Ambulance Association. A correction to yesterday’s announcement: whichever
hospital the ambulance takes you to, you will be put in a surgical mask regardless of your symptoms.
Face Masks. Several dozen handsewn face masks donated at Town Hall are being distributed to hospitals, nurses, assisted living center staff, mental health care staff, and a few individuals caring for vulnerable. We have now exhausted the first batch of donations. Please keep sewing!
Middlesex Hospital is asking volunteers to make a specific type of mask that can be used as a cover for hospital surgical masks. The hospital will supply the fabric and the pattern upon request here.
Thanks to Kate Novick for spearheading the mask-making efforts and to all those who are cutting and sewing, sourcing elastic, and delivering the masks-and to those who are using the masks in the service of our community.
Masks may be deposited in the bin inside the back door of town hall. To request masks, leave a message at 860-663-1765, x201.
Stay home, stay safe–
Cathy
