Submitted by Brooke Parker.
As of Tuesday, March 17, 2020 the towns of Chester, Deep River, Essex, Haddam, Old Saybrook, Portland and Colchester have declared a State of Emergency, in addition to the State of Connecticut. This will allow them to take steps to fight the spread of this virus. This will allow them to take steps to fight the spread of this virus.
Though these are difficult times, we must remain calm. As the COVID-19 viral outbreak continues, it is imperative that we learn as much as we can to keep ourselves safe. Please utilize the following resources for further education.
Restaurants, Bars, Schools Closed
In an effort to prevent public gatherings that could rapidly spread the coronavirus, Governor Ned Lamont announced yesterday that all restaurants and bars in the state must close by 8 p.m. last night. Restaurants can continue operating carryout and delivery sales. This was part of a regional agreement with the Governors of New York and New Jersey, as it’s believed the tristate area is already dealing with a high volume of coronavirus cases. In addition, movie theaters, gyms and commercial casinos must also close, and gatherings of 50 or more people will be banned indefinitely statewide. Supermarkets, gas stations, pharmacies and other essential businesses will remain open.
Additionally, Governor Lamont announced all public schools in the state will be closed for at least two weeks beginning today, Tuesday, March 17. While these closures continue, school districts are launching efforts to ensure students will be able to access breakfast and lunch options such as meal deliveries and meal pickup times. Please consult your local school website for more information.
Unemployment and Layoffs
Unfortunately, we are learning an increasing number of businesses will be laying off staff and reducing hours, adding stress to an already stressful time. According to the Department of Labor, if you are a worker or business owner needing to file unemployment, please follow these steps.
If you are a worker: Please visit www.filectui.com to file for unemployment and please do so as soon as possible. It is important to file as soon as you become unemployed. Further information is available at that website or emailing dol.webhelp@ct.gov.
If you contract COVID-19 and need to take time off work or are fired, you may file for unemployment benefits. You may also file for unemployment benefits if you are required to self-quarantine, your employer closes during this outbreak or a family member becomes ill. The outcome will depend on a case-by-case basis.
If your employer only permits you to work part-time instead of full-time or you work multiple jobs and your full-time employer closes, you may be eligible for partial unemployment.
If your employer retaliates against you for filing unemployment, you may file a complaint under the Connecticut Unemployment Compensation Act.
The Department of Labor is also suspending federal work search programs requiring unemployment recipients to meet one-on-one for assistance and is suspending work search requirements for unemployment benefits. Furloughed employees are eligible for at least six weeks of benefits.
If you are an employer: If one of your employees is sick with COVID-19, you can require them to stay home, though you should issue them an Unemployment Separation Package. If you must close your business due to illness or quarantine, please direct your employees to www.filectui.com. While you would be liable for unemployment benefit charges, if a disaster is declared, you may not be liable.
The Department of Labor does offer a SharedWork program for employers seeing business slowdown. This is an alternative to a layoff, allowing employers to reduce full-time employees’ wages by up to 60 percent while workers collect partial unemployment. All employers with at least two full-time or permanent part-time employees can participate. A reduction of work must be between 10 and 60 percent of activities.
More details, including information about paid sick leave, wages and hours, and family medical leave, can be found at this link.
Small Business Express Loans
For the roughly 800 small businesses currently owing loan payments to the state’s Small Business Express program, the Department of Economic and Community Development announced last week it will defer loan payments for three months to businesses impacted by COVID-19. The agency is also trying to accommodate other businesses with DECD loans impacted by the virus.
Small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Connecticut that have been negatively impacted by the global COVID-19 outbreak are now eligible for disaster relief loans of up to $2 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Small businesses can learn more about the program and apply for financial assistance at www.sba.gov/disaster, or call the SBA at 1-800-659-2955.
Small businesses with questions about this SBA loan program or other assistance provided at the state-level can call 860-500-2333 to speak directly with a DECD representative.
Quarantine, Social Isolation and Social Distancing
Why are such drastic steps like these being taken? It has to do with what we know, and don’t know, about the coronavirus. Scientists and researchers believe a certain number of people infected with the virus may never show symptoms or have the ability to fight it off within days. However, up to one in five individuals infected with the virus are expected to show serious symptoms requiring medical care or hospitalization, especially individuals over the age of 60 or who have additional medical concerns. Without closing down large gatherings like schools, where hundreds of children gather, or restaurants, which are often crowded with people, these locations could become vectors where many people become infected, harming public health and putting lives at risk. This is only further complicated by a shortage of testing supplies, meaning some people may catch coronavirus and never know it. By taking these steps, state officials are protecting public health and public interests by ensuring the spread remains as limited as possible.
If you begin to develop symptoms or believe you have come in direct contact with coronavirus, medical professionals request you quarantine yourself for a period of 14 days, as you may be infectious during this time. This means you should work to remain in one room if possible and limit your interactions with other people in your home, preferably using a separate bathroom from others as well. As of now, medical professionals believe you can leave quarantine after 14 days if you do not develop symptoms, or three days after you recover from symptoms you potentially develop.
You can do your part to help limit the spread of this virus and help protect yourself, your family and your friends, neighbors and community. It is believed the coronavirus can be spread very easily, even if you are not showing symptoms. That makes it important for us to limit our contact with one another during this challenging time through the use of social distancing. By using this tool to limit our interactions with others, we can slow the spread of coronavirus and make sure individuals who experience serious symptoms if infected have opportunities to access the medical care they need.
These simple steps involve staying away from crowded places, especially indoors; practicing good hygiene, most importantly washing hands with soap and water, or hand sanitizer if no soap is available, for at least 20 seconds; reducing our face-to-face contact with other people; avoiding people who are coughing or showing other symptoms of illness; and staying home and isolating ourselves if we start to show symptoms of coronavirus. If you do need to go out in public or in crowded places, please take steps to stay at least six feet away from other people, as this will lower the odds of passing on the virus. You can still leave your home or go outside, but please limit your proximity and interactions with other people. It will take time for the impact of these actions to become visible, but please continue doing them. They will play an important role in protecting yourself and others.
Senator Saud Anwar
My colleague, State Senator Saud Anwar, is a medical doctor specializing in respiratory care and has recorded a series of informative, educational videos regarding COVID-19. You can access them on his Facebook page.
Governor Lamont
Governor Lamont has issued numerous updates since this outbreak began. Please check his Twitter page for the latest statewide information and for important information on how to stay safe.
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
For families worried about COVID-19, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center has issued frequently asked questions and a guide to what parents should know.
State Public Health Information
The state government has created an informational portal that posts numerous updates and important facts about COVID-19.
Centers for Disease Control
The Centers for Disease Control is releasing information on COVID-19 and best ways to protect yourselves.
State of Connecticut Joint Information Center
The state announced this week the launching of the State of Connecticut Joint Information Center, or JIC, as part of a coordinated effort to provide rapid responses to the public. By following it on Twitter at @COVID19CT and on Facebook at CT COVID-19 Response, you can receive updates as information becomes available. Members of the public are asked to contact covid19.jic@ct.gov or 2-1-1 if they need information.
For local updates, please also check local town websites and local officials’ Facebook pages, especially pages for health districts and health departments, for up-to-date local information involving your region.
