Naugatuck Valley Health District: No COVID-19 associated cases, deaths to report

Good afternoon,

Naugatuck Valley Health District has 0 new cases and 0 deaths to report today!

While this is a very encouraging benchmark, I ask your assistance in still promoting compliance with social distancing and wearing masks/face coverings in public and also practicing good hygiene like proper hand washing. 

Especially with Phase 2 Reopening of businesses today, we do not want to lose sight of the importance of practicing precautions as they are necessary to continue to move forward and not set the Valley backwards.

Thank you & have a good evening,

Jess

Jessica Stelmaszek, MPH

Director of Health

Naugatuck Valley Medical Reserve Corps Director

Region 5 Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator

Region 5 ESF #8 Co-Chair

Rochelle offers update on state's Phase 2 reopening regulations

*Sharing info from a message today from state Rep. Kara Rochelle:

Updated guidance on indoor and outdoor gatherings has been released. The plan is as follows:

• Effective today, June 17:
  • Indoor private gatherings - 25 people
  • Outdoor gatherings - 100 people
  • Outdoor event venues (amphitheaters, race tracks) - 25% of fire capacity and distancing
• Effective July 3:
  • Indoor private gatherings - 25 people
  • Outdoor private gatherings - 100 people, one time exception for graduations at 150 people
  • Outdoor organized gatherings (fireworks, concerts in municipal parks) - 15 feet of space blanket to blanket, cap of 500 people; event organizer responsible for compliance
  • Outdoor event venues - 25% of fire capacity and distancing
• Effective mid-July (date to be determined)
  • Indoor private gatherings – 50 people
  • Outdoor private gatherings (including graduations) – 250 people
  • Outdoor organized gatherings (e.g. fireworks, concerts in municipal parks) – 15 feet of space blanket to blanket, no cap; event organizer responsible for compliance with guidance
  • Outdoor event venues – 50% of fire capacity and distancing

To read Tuesday's full update, click here. 

For all of the emergency orders issued by the Governor and state agencies, click here. Watch the daily news briefings here, and read the press releases here.
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus

DMV deadlines have been extended by 180-days from their original expiration dates. 

Eligible DMV credentials that expire between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020 will automatically be extended.
For more information, visit https://CTDMV.info.

Over 45 banks and credit unions have agreed to extend their voluntary participation in the Connecticut Mortgage Relief Program, which provides relief to consumers facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will now run through July 30, 2020. It was set to expire May 31, 2020.

This program provides the following forms of assistance:

•  90-day grace period for all mortgage payments
• Relief from fees and charges
• No new foreclosures for 60 days (through July 30, 2020)
• No credit score changes for accessing relief.

For more information and a list of participating financial institutions, click here.

Recuperation journey: Bird brain

"I'm supposed to take a bath in this?"

(Photo taken through the slider.)

Ansonia Library opens book drop today for returns

Sharing from the Ansonia Library Facebook page:

"We are pleased to announce the Ansonia Library has opened the book drop for your returns. We will be quarantining the returned material for 48 hours before checking them in. All fines will be waived.

*IMPORTANT*
"Due to COVID, we will not be accepting any donations. Please do not place donations in the book drop, it is only for the purpose of returning library materials."

Boy Scouts make improvements to David Humphreys House in Ansonia

These photos were posted on the Derby Historical Society Facebook page and I had to share! Great news.

"Current situation: Boy Scouts are conducting an Eagle Project at the Derby Historical Society [at the David Humphreys House, 37 Elm St., Ansonia]. Handicap ramp, scraping, painting, and cleaning up debris."

Thank you to all the Scouts working on this project!

Derby Public Library to begin accepting book returns today

'Turnback Tuesday' (on Wednesday) highlights bookplates

Turnback Tuesday remembers the Wood family. 
The photo shows H. Holton Wood Book Plates (label). They were glued to the inside front cover of a book, particularly a book donated by the Wood family to the Library. These bookplates and many like them were a way to acknowledge who the donor was. 
The Library has several of the books donated by the Wood family in its collection. H. Holton Wood died May 10, 1912.


Thanks as always to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.