COVID-19 Update

Honoring Local Heroes

This week, we celebrate International Firefighters’ Day (yesterday) and the beginning of National Nurses Week (tomorrow). This year, these celebrations carry special significance. While most of us are able to remain safe in our homes, working remotely, our frontline workers, including our firefighters and nurses, do not have that option. Instead, they are putting their health at risk to care for the sick. I would like to send a heartfelt thank you to our local firefighters and nurses, and all first responders, healthcare workers, and front-line workers who are responding to emergencies, treating patients, and keeping supply chains open while we battle this pandemic.

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, I’d like to thank our educators who, despite school closures, have continued to help our students learn in a new virtual setting. Keep up the great work. We appreciate all you do for our future generations.

Assistance for Agricultural Businesses

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will be accepting applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loans on a limited basis for U.S. agricultural businesses only. Businesses experiencing temporary loss of revenue may be eligible for a forgivable loan of up to $10,000. If this applies to you, please apply now.

Click here for more information.

Updates from the Governor’s Office

K-12 Classes to Remain Closed for Academic Year

The governor has announced that K-12 public school facilities will remain closed for the 2019-2020 academic year. Distance learning will continue. Schools will also be required to continue providing meals to children under the school lunch and breakfast programs for consumption at home, as they have been throughout this emergency. There is still no word on summer school or summer camps, but the governor and his administration are expected to address these issues. If you’d like to hear more about the governor’s order on schools, you can tune in for his daily press conference, which is live streamed on all major CT news stations.

Regional Supply Chain for PPE/Medical Equipment

The governors of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island have announced a multi-state agreement to develop a regional supply chain for personal protective equipment, other medical equipment, and testing. This includes working with local and regional suppliers to limit disruptions to distribution and using emerging technologies to find more efficient and cost-effective means of production.

State Launches Free Online Job Training Program

SkillUp CT has been launched to help unemployed individuals gain access to online learning opportunities and industry-recognized certifications that will assist them in their respective job searches. Eligible residents will be able to access courses in information technology, business analysis, customer service, project management, digital literacy, and more.

Resources

• CTAlerts: To subscribe, text the key word COVIDCTto 888-777

• News from the governor’s office: Click Here

• FAQ Document: Click Here

• Governor’s COVID-19 Executive Orders affecting… ​

  • Business, Labor, and Housing: Click Here

  • Health and Human Services: Click Here

  • Education and Childcare: Click Here

  • State & Local Government Operations & Elections: Click Here

Latest COVID-19 Data for CT

Below are the latest data from the Connecticut Department of Public Health:

• Statewide Confirmed COVID-19 Cases: 29,973

• Current Statewide COVID-19-Related Hospitalizations: 1,464

• Statewide Confirmed COVID-19 Fatalities: 2,556

• Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Griswold: 19

• Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Lisbon: 5

• Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Plainfield: 24

• Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Sterling: 2

• Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Voluntown: 7

This data is current as of 8:30 p.m. on 5/3/2020.

Additional Resources

As a reminder, these are the best regularly updated global, federal, and state resources:

Global

World Health Organization: Click Here

Federal

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Click Here

State

State of Connecticut Web Portal: Click Here

CT House Republicans Resource Page: Click Here

As always, never hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns about the state and local response to the COVID-19 crisis, or any state government issues. I am more than happy to speak with you directly, provide more information if possible, and to serve as a resource for you and your families.

Email: Brian.Lanoue@cga.ct.gov

Best,

State Rep. Brian Lanoue

45^th General Assembly District

Griswold, Lisbon, Plainfield, Sterling, Voluntown