By State Senator, Norm Needleman.
(February 23, 2021) — I hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy. As the United States passed the tragic milestone of 500,000 fatalities from COVID-19 infections this week, Governor Ned Lamont announced the state will see flags lowered to half-staff to commemorate the lives lost, which include more than 7,500 Connecticut residents. President Joe Biden this week directed flags to be lowered to honor and remember those lost to the virus.
Not a moment goes by when I’m not saddened by what we have all experienced during the last year. To reach this point is a sad day for all Americans. Every one of those over 500,000 was a friend or relative to many people. I hope you will join me in keeping them in our thoughts and sending support to their loved ones.
Please stay vigilant and continue to practice health and safety advice. By wearing masks, staying safe and getting vaccinated in coming months, we can still save lives and limit the virus’s spread.
COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Changes to Age-Based Model; Teachers, Residents 55+ Eligible Beginning March 1
The state’s vaccination rollout will change to an age-based model in the immediate future, with the next updates in vaccination access currently in the works. Beginning on March 1, state residents from the ages of 55 to 64 will be eligible to sign up for the vaccine. Also at that time, an adjustment from previously expected plans, teachers will be eligible to sign up for the vaccine as well. This modification comes after weeks of requests for teachers, especially those working in classrooms, to be eligible for the vaccine. Educators from K-12 and childcare workers will be able to receive vaccinations through special clinics. Governor Lamont’s office explained the shift in strategy by noting 96 percent of COVID-19 deaths in Connecticut have occurred in people over the age of 55.
- March 1, 2021: Expands to age group 55 to 64
- March 22, 2021: Expands to age group 45 to 54
- April 12, 2021: Expands to age group 35 to 44
- May 3, 2021: Expands to age group 16 to 34
More People in Connecticut Have Been Vaccinated Against COVID-19 Than Infected
According to official numbers released by the state, more people have now been vaccinated against COVID-19 than have contracted it. While the state’s official total is likely an undercount, as testing supplies in the early days of the pandemic could not match demand, the state reports 275,334 people have officially been infected with COVID-19, while 278,589 people have received two both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Every day from now on, the number of vaccinated individuals will continue to increase faster than the number of infected barring significant change in current trends, providing strong optimism for future recovery.
Paycheck Protection Program Provides Improved Support for Minority-Owned, Mom-And-Pop Businesses
The White House announced this week that new changes to the Paycheck Protection Program will provide minority-owned businesses, mom-and-pop businesses and small nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees with increased assistance in the near future. Businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees will have a two-week exclusivity window to apply for PPP loans starting Wednesday, February 24, allowing these smallest businesses to submit applications for priority.
Additional changes include self-employed and sole proprietors being allowed to use gross income, not just net income, to calculate their PPP loan amounts; business owners behind on federal student loans can apply for PPP loan forgiveness; non-citizen small business owners who are lawful residents of the country can use their Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers to apply for the PPP; and small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions are no longer excluded from applying for PPP loans. Please click here for more information.
Clinton Public Schools and PTA Hosting Manufacturing and STEM Career Forum Wednesday, February 24
Clinton Public Schools, the Clinton Parent Teachers Association, the Clinton Manufacturing Coalition and the Clinton Economic Development Council will host a free, interactive Zoom forum tomorrow, February 24 at 7:00 p.m. Students and parents can learn about manufacturing’s advances and the great-paying jobs and exciting career opportunities available in the STEM industry, including incredible companies located in our state.
In Connecticut alone, there are as many as 8,000 manufacturing positions available every year, offering numerous opportunities for students to educate themselves and find strong, well-paying jobs that can easily become careers. To register, please click here.
