By Cathy Iino, Killingworth First Selectman.
Hello, Killingworth-
It’s been a little while since my last update. Killingworth hasn’t had a new confirmed case of COVID-19 in a month. Over 10 percent of the population of the state has been tested, and only a little over 1 percent have tested positive–one of the lowest rates in the country. In the second phase of the “reopening,” the numbers of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to trend downward. This is all good news.
Let’s not forget that the reason we are heading in the right direction is that most of us are continuing to take the measures that keep the whole community safe. Many states that have been less careful are experiencing surges in cases.
In fact, on Wednesday the governor issued an advisory: people traveling into Connecticut “from a state that has a new daily positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average are directed to self-quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state.” Currently, those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.
Here, from Derek Thompson in The Atlantic magazine, is a new way to remember how to stay SAFE:
Social distancing. Stay six feet apart from others as a general rule, especially when you are near them for an extended period of time.
Airflow awareness. You are safer outside, whether you are exercising, eating, or visiting. “The odds of transmission in a closed indoor space are several orders of magnitude higher than in the open air.”
Face masks. Wear them. My mask protects you; your mask protects me.
Expectoration. Avoid large droplets, such as from sneezes, and the tiny droplets that spray out of the mouths of talkers and singers. In-person office meetings, choir practice, athletic events with people cheering, and indoor exercise classes are all risky–whatever the rules allow you to do. Be aware.
Town Hall. For everyone’s protection, town officials and staff are operating under new conditions. Killingworth’s Town Hall is partly a converted farmhouse, partly a set of outdated modules. By limiting the number of staff in the building at any one time and arranging for the others to work from home, we can safely conduct the town’s business. But the building’s narrow corridors make it difficult to have people safely moving among offices, and we are therefore continuing to admit the public by appointment only. Please call 860-663-1765 with any questions, concerns, or requests you have. If you leave a message, we will respond promptly.
Pistol permits. Resident State Trooper Rich Mulhall is taking fingerprints for pistol permit applications by appointment. Call 860-663-1132 to make an appointment.
Face masks for the schools. Governor Lamont has announced plans to reopen the public schools this fall, if COVID infection rates remain stable. Among the safety measures will be a requirement that students and teachers wear masks at all times except lunch.
Local seamstress Amy Perry is looking for volunteers to help make 3,000 face masks for the Haddam-Killingworth schools for the 2020-21 school year. Sewists: Got another round of mask-making in you? You know you do!
Amy is also looking for contributions of funds to purchase 250 yards of blue and gold fabric–Go Cougars!–for the project. She has all the elastic, nose guards, and thread for the masks. She expects that $2,000 cover the cost. Any donation will be greatly appreciated!
If you can help with your time and sewing skill or your dollars, please contact Amy Perry at 860-398-0215 or Yourpersonalseamstress@gmail.com.
Stay safe and carry on!
Cathy
