By Cathy Iino.
Hello, Killingworth-
Two Sundays ago, Connecticut had 327 confirmed cases of coronavirus, 51 people hospitalized with the disease, and 8 deaths from it. Today, the state has 5,675 cases, 1,142 hospitalized, and 189 deaths. The projections of total cases and the timing of the peak continue to vary widely. The only true answer is the one Mayor Rudy Giuliani gave when he was asked on 9/11 how high the dead toll would go: “The number of casualties will be more than any of us can bear.”
Face masks. The Centers for Disease Control now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (such as grocery stores and pharmacies). The use of simple cloth face coverings may slow the spread of the virus by people who may have the virus and not know it; the masks may provide modest protection from airborne particles containing the virus; and, if nothing else, the mask will remind you not to touch your face–one of the three basic guidelines for avoiding infection with COVID-19.
Cloth face coverings should not be placed on children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
When you remove a mask, be careful not to touch your mouth, nose, or eyes, and wash your hands immediately after removal. Masks should be washed daily.
Surgical masks and N-95 respirators continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders. Instructions for making simple face coverings at home, with or without sewing, can be found here.
Library cards. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Killingworth residents who need a new library account have two options:
1) If you are willing to email a photo of your driver’s license along with a preferred telephone # to library director Laurie Prichard, she will email back the library card number same day. The “card” will be valid for the normal 5 years.
2) If you are not comfortable with the first option, you may email or telephone (860-663-2000) your request to Laurie with your telephone number and address, and she will mail you a library account number. The account will be valid for 6 months.
In both cases the physical card will be retained at the library until you can pick it up after the library re-opens.
Stay home, stay safe–
Cathy
