By Cathy Iino.
Hello, Killingworth-
As you may have seen, the number of confirmed cases in Connecticut spiked to 875 on Wednesday. Sadly, this is the tip of the iceberg: for every confirmed case, there are 5 to 10 times as many people with the disease. The state expects the number of cases to rise rapidly for the next six to eight weeks.
Social distancing does seem to be having an effect. The comparatively slow rate of increase in the eastern part of the state may be evidence of that. We each have to continue to do our part:
· Stay home if you are sick.
· Maintain social distancing of at least six feet.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
· Avoid touching your face.
· Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and phones daily.
Water. If you have more people in your house day and night than you are accustomed to, be mindful of your water usage. You don’t want to overburden your well.
Killingworth budget. Killingworth’s Town Charter lays out a series of steps for setting a town budget. The budget is prepared by the Board of Selectmen, reviewed and revised by the Board of Finance, presented at a public hearing, and normally voted on at Town Meeting. In the current health emergency, we can and will fulfill all the prescribed steps through remote public access by Internet and telephone–except for the Town Meeting. The governor has suspended requirements for in-person voting, by either town meeting or referendum, and authorized the “local budget-making authority” to adopt a budget for FY20-21.
Regional boards of education have likewise been given the authority to adopt budgets for FY20-21. Or, in the absence of a new budget, the Board of Ed. may continue to operate on last year’s budget .
Governor Lamont also extended the deadlines for both the town budget and the school budget. In the coming weeks, look for information about meeting and hearing schedules and how to access them.
Hand-sewn face masks update. The Yale-New Haven Health System has requested hand-sewn face masks using the Craftpassion.com face mask sewing pattern. If you donate masks made on this pattern in the bin inside the back door to Town Hall, please note that you used this pattern, and we will make sure they get to YNHH. We have also had private requests for masks from nurses and vulnerable civilians, and we will distribute masks made on other patterns to them.
Please note that, according to the CDC, in settings where face masks are not available, health care professionals might use homemade masks for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. Homemade masks are not considered PPE, since their ability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (extending to the chin or below) and sides of the face.
Many thanks to all who are participating in this project. You are doing more than your part!
If you need any kind of nonemergency assistance, please leave a message at 860-663-1765, x201. In an emergency, call 911.
Stay home, stay safe–
Cathy
