A Message from First Selectman Bindelglass... Update for Easton
Good Morning from the First Selectman’s Office:
As predicted the number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases reported in Connecticut is starting to grow. Easton has taken community based steps such as closing schools, cancelling activities at the Easton Library and limiting the Senior Centeractivities to those that are strictly necessary. Practices which have been recommended by the CDC are now common place around the country. As Easton enacts steps to minimize exposure so too should individual families and households. Our individual actions will have an impact determining the severity of this pandemic. As my counterpart in Redding has suggested, the reason for closing schools is to prevent transmission though the community. Now that the schools are closed, we all need to be responsible to further limit the spread of the virus. Limitinginteraction or “social distancing” in our daily activities can reduce the chances of exposure not only to us and our families but also to our neighbors and community.
CDC guidelines for “social distancing” are somewhat vague because frankly the scientific evidence for this is evolving. The recommendations are based on the likelihood that there are people in town who have been exposed, and may be infected or at least carrying the virus and showing no symptoms. For that reason, the prudent action would be to limit social contact and practice 6 feet of separation. That can only be enforced by our own personal action. It is worth noting that although around the country and within our state large gatherings where close personal contact is inevitable have been banned, there has yet to be a suggestion that general businesses be closed. Therefore, the responsibility lies with each of us individually to practice proper hygiene and to limit social contact as described. Again there is a tremendous amount of information on line including the CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus, Yale New Haven Hospital https://www.ynhhs.org/ and the State of Connecticut website https://portal.ct.gov/CTPrepares.
To sign up for Easton's Emergency Alerts (reverse 9-1-1 system) residents can go to: https://www.ct.gov/ctalert/site/default.asp and choose their option to register (phone and text options available).
To sign up for Easton's Email Alerts residents can go here: https://www.eastonct.gov/ click on “Subscribe to News in Easton!” on the front page or click "Subscribe to News" at the bottom of the page.
If residents need assistance paying housing bills, accessing free childcare, or other essential services, they can dial 2-1-1 to speak with a representative who can help. 2-1-1 providers are on hand to offer assistance to those who are in need as a result of lost wages from event cancellations, business closures, and quarantines, visithttp://211.org/services/covid19 for more info.
The schedule for upcoming Town, Board, Committee and Commission meetings will be discussed on Monday with an update to follow.
One of the most heartwarming aspects of Easton’s response to this situation is the number of citizens who have contacted me about ways in which they would like to help their neighbors by helping with food collection and delivery or other services. The Easton’s efforts for our seniors are led by Val Buckley at our Senior Center and Alison Witherbee, our Municipal Agent for the Aging and Social Services Director. Many other services are being offered and can be accessed on many social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter set up by residents and groups in Easton. I hesitate to make specific recommendations for fear of missing and offending any of our people who are giving so generously of their time and effort.
There are so many wonderful things to do outdoors in and around Easton on this beautiful Saturday. This could be an opportunity to slow down our usually hectic pace of life and enjoy our own families.
I will continue to keep you all updated please stay well.
Best,
Dave Bindelglass