A message from our First Selectman regarding COVID-19 and beginning to re-open
“If you come at four in the afternoon, I'll begin to be happy by three.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
Boy, it sure is easy to get excited when we have been waiting so long and working so hard. The Governor says that the numbers are getting better—fewer cases, a drop in the number of deaths. The statistics and the science appear to indicate that our good behavior may shortly be rewarded.
We do not yet know just when four o’clock will come. We should be happy. We have worked hard to get to where we are, and every day brings us closer to where we need to be. Four in the afternoon, though, is not yet defined. It is our May 20th, a date that comes with no guarantee. The more closely we maintain the standards that have brought us this, the more likely that our efforts have truly paid off.
May 20th is just a few days off. May 20th is the date set by the State for certain businesses to re-open. May 20th does not represent a sudden shift in behavior, to gather, to celebrate, or mourn, or even just greet each other with a handshake or a hug. The same rules that allow us to open some businesses still require that gatherings be in groups of five or fewer, and that we continue to wear our masks in public spaces. How long until we can feel truly free? I wish I could tell you.
I can tell you that we have done well. As a community Deep River has had amongst the fewest confirmed cases in the state, and the same can be said about Middlesex County. We have worked hard to achieve that statistic. We need to continue that work. We need to be more careful. Despite the effort to open up, we have not reached the end of this journey. Please keep in mind that despite the weather and the effort to open up business, the Nation, the State, and the Town are still operating under a state of emergency. Please, do not relax your efforts. The weather is turning, thank goodness. I hope that the temperature will reach 65 degrees on a regular basis sometime soon. It seems as though in recent years Mother Nature has just thrown a switch and we have gone from winter to summer. It certainly looks as though that might happen again this year. The difficulty of staying home, of isolating ourselves will increase. We need to get out. We need to say hello to each other (at an appropriate distance, or course). If you don’t feel a need because you feel safe, please keep your neighbors in mind. They may not feel as safe as you. It is difficult to think that outside is a place to keep a mask on, but it is. You absolutely need to wear a mask when you go to the Transfer Station. Give yourself a little extra time and make sure you leave space between you and the next person, but wear your mask. This is the rule. You will be asked to leave if you do not. When you go to Plattwood to walk the trails or enjoy the pond, wear your mask. When you go to the landing, wear your mask and leave some space between you and your neighbor. We are doing all we can to leave these spaces open, but this is a community effort. We cannot do so if only some of us adhere to the rules.
The guidelines to the opening scheduled for May 20 are linked below. Please note that all businesses subject to these guidelines are required to self–certify prior to opening on May 20. The certification system can be accessed here. ---- https://business.ct.gov/recovery
Hair Salons & Barbershops ---- https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DECD/Covid_Business_Recovery/CTReopensHairBarbershopsC5V051220.pdf?la=en
Museums and Zoos (Outdoor Only)
Offices ---- https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DECD/Covid_Business_Recovery/CTReopens_Offices_C4_V1.pdf?la=en
Restaurants (Outdoor Only) ---- https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DECD/Covid_Business_Recovery/CTReopens_Restaurants_C5_V1.pdf?la=en
Retail & Malls (updated 5/16) ----- https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DECD/Covid_Business_Recovery/CTReopensRetail--051620.pdf?la=en
Thermometers available free to small businesses:
The State of Connecticut, together with CONNSTEP and CBIA have partnered to help distribute donated infrared thermometers to eligible small businesses. The thermometers, which can support workplace screening and health checks, are available free to Connecticut employers with 100 or fewer employees. Eligible businesses can request a thermometer through this website. ---- https://www.ctcovidresponse.org/thermometer-request
New Drive Through Test Sites:
CVS Health is opening 12 new COVID-19 test sites at select CVS Pharmacy drive-thru locations in Connecticut that will increase the amount of coronavirus testing being done – an important step toward reopening more Connecticut businesses in the weeks and months to come.
The new sites will utilize self-swab tests and will be available to individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, in addition to age guidelines. Patients must register in advance at www.CVS.com in order to schedule an appointment.
Patients will be required to stay in their cars and directed to the pharmacy drive-thru window where they will be provided with a test kit and given instructions; a CVS Pharmacy team member will observe the self-swab process to ensure it is done properly. Tests will be sent to an independent, third-party lab for processing and the results will be available in approximately three days. The nearest CVS Testing locations to Deep River are as follows:
CVS Pharmacy, 54 East High Street, East Hampton, CT
CVS Pharmacy, 2639 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT
CVS Pharmacy, 1057 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT
CVS Pharmacy, 323 Cromwell Avenue, Rocky Hill, CT
Please keep in mind that until otherwise notified, the best course of action is still to practice physical distancing and to follow all guidance from the CDC, CT DPH, and CRAHD, websites found here:
Be careful, be well, be nice.
Peace,
Angus