A message from our First Selectman regarding COVID-19
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
- Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare
I am very happy to report that Deep River reported no new positive tests last week. Our designation on the new State color scale has moved positivelt - from Orange to Yellow. We still have only our own stubborn behavior as a defense against this virus, and thus far the numbers show that we are, in fact, taking our destiny into our own hands. Let’s keep it up! We are lucky to live where we do. As cases statewide continue to grow let us keep in mind that wearing our masks, washing our hands, and keeping our distance has been effective thus far.
More Good News:
Free COVID-19 testing is coming to our area. Community Health Center is providing pop up testing sites for both symptomatic and asymptomatic residents over the next three weeks. Additional details about locations in Chester or Deep River should be released today, but this is what we know at the moment:
Friday, 10/29, 9am-1 pm. CHC Old Saybrook, 263 Main St, Old Saybrook
Wednesday, 11/4, 9am-1 pm location TBD, Chester or Deep River
Thursday, 11/5, 9am-1 pm CHC Old Saybrook, 263 Main St, Old Saybrook
Thursday, 11/12, 9am-1 pm CHC Old Saybrook, 263 Main St, Old Saybrook
Tuesday, 11/17, 9am-1pm location TBD, Chester or Deep River
Thursday, 11/19, 9am-1 pm CHC Old Saybrook, 263 Main St, Old Saybrook
Go to www.chc1.com to view all locations and hours of operation for Community Health Center COVID-19 testing sites, complete your registration form in advance to bring with you and to find additional details about the testing and view a video of the testing process.
Test results take 2-3 days to return.
Halloween news:
Halloween is NOT cancelled. You will find guidance for PARENTS to review attached. Trick or Treating MAY be done safely – it is up to each parent and each household to determine if they want to participate or not.
KIDS - LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS!
While our Trunk or Treat Spectacular has been cancelled, Parks and Recreation has prepared prepackaged bags chock full of treats for ghouls and goblins, cowboys and firefighters. Stop by the Town Hall and pick up between 9:00 am and noon on Saturday morning. Thank you to both Parks and Recreation and State Farm Deep River for providing the treats.
Connecticut Halloween Guidance:
The following link will provide Halloween Guidance from the State:
https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Communications/Guidance/Connecticut-Halloween-...
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic requires all of us to take steps to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safe and healthy: wear our masks, wash our hands frequently, and maintain social distancing. As a result, we will need to celebrate many fall traditions differently this year, including Halloween. Traditional Halloween activities carry a high risk for spreading COVID-19, but we can reduce that risk significantly by organizing and participating in fun, lower or moderate risk alternatives. The holiday may look different this year, but the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) believes we can still enjoy a happy (and healthy) Halloween. The CT DPH recommends that everyone planning to participate in Halloween activities this year review the guidance (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.htm...) recently issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That guidance describes “lower” “moderate” and “higher” risk activities. DPH recommends that Connecticut residents avoid higher risk Halloween traditions and focus celebrations on the lower and moderate risk activities. The ability to maintain social distancing and follow face covering rules is especially important when participating in Halloween activities. In addition, please refrain from leaving your home for any Halloween activity and do not pass out Halloween candy if you are ill or have traveled to one of the states listed on the Connecticut travel advisory (https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/travel) between October 16th and October 30th (i.e. 14 days before Halloween). In this case you should be following the testing and self-quarantining guidelines, per Executive Order No. 9C (https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Office-of-the-Governor/Executive-Orders/La...). CDC guidance and safety tips are summarized below, along with additional considerations for restaurants and colleges and Universities.
PARTIES AND EVENTS
Events to consider
In lieu of in-person house parties, host virtual Halloween events, e.g. virtual costume contests.
Host drive-by Halloween events, e.g. neighborhood or town-based house decorating.
Prepare candy scavenger hunts at homes with your household members.
Have a Halloween movie night with the people in your household.
Events to avoid
Large parties that exceed 25 people indoors or 150 people outdoors
Hosting an indoor party that exceeds 25 people indoors or 150 people outdoors can result in a fine of $500
Attending a party that exceed attendance rules can result in a fine of $250
Large Halloween-themed parades where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Indoor haunted houses where people may be crowded together and screaming
Hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household
Traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door (See Trick or Treating tips below)
Trunk-or-treat events where cars gather in a large parking lot and allow children to move from car to car to collect candy.
Other guidance
Restaurants that choose to host Halloween-themed events should strictly adhere to capacity and physical distancing guidance as outlined in Sector Rules (https://portal.ct.gov/DECD/Content/Coronavirus-Business-Recovery/Sector-...)
Colleges and universities should consider alternatives to on-campus costume parties or trick-or-treating between dorms, as these activities will be challenging to maintain physical distancing. Guidance for safe Halloween activities should be shared widely with on- and off-campus students.
TRICK-OR-TREATING
Recommendations for Halloween 2020
Traditional trick-or-treating is a high risk activity. Instead, the CDC and CT DPH recommends participating in one-way trick-or-treating where goodie bags or a large bowl of candy are placed outside of your home for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance.
If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 second before and after preparing the bags.
For people who choose to hand out candy:
Before you answer the door, make sure your face covering is in place over your nose and mouth, wash or sanitize your hands before answering door.
Remain six feet from the Trick-or-Treater.
Place the candy inside the child’s bag for them instead of having them take it from the bowl themselves.
Homes providing candy may set up hand sanitizer stations outside or parents/guardians can pack a travel bottle of their own.
Parents/guardians should limit the number of homes their children visit.
It is not recommended to trick-or-treat with people outside of your household.
Remain six feet away from people outside your household at all times.
All trick-or-treating participants should wear a mask or face covering while outside at all times.
A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth or surgical mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and does not leave gaps around the face.
Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth or surgical mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
Do not wear a costume rubber mask over another face covering of any kind.
Here is a link to the map of the State with the Yellow, Orange, and Red designations as of October 29, 2020: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Data-Tracker
Deep River has had zero (0) new cases reported in the past 7 days. This is exactly where we want to be, great job!!!
On Thursday at 5:00 pm Deep River was placed in the Yellow category.
So, we are doing well in crazy times, don’t relax. Stay calm. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Keep your distance whenever you can. Check in on your neighbors. By following these simple steps we have moved Deep River out of the Orange and into the Yellow. Nice job, stay the course.
Be careful, be well, be nice
Peace
Angus