Family therapist Moira Rizzo will lead an interactive discussion on Thursday, April 8 at 10 a.m. on “Pandemic Parenting: Strategies to Keep You and Your Kids Sane Through Challenging Times.”
Her presentation includes how to effectively talk with teens about:
—mental health
—social connectedness and
—substance use. The discussion is the fourth in a series of The Community Fund of Darien’s “Our Darien” events this year designed to educate parents about the dangers of substance use, youth mental health and how they can best support their teens. If You’re Attending … Registration for this Zoom webinar, sponsored by The Depot Youth Center and YWCA Parent Awareness, is free and required at www.communityfunddarien.org
COVID-19 is spreading slower in Darien than it has since November, although the 76 new cases so far this month, as reported by the town Health Department, is still way above the 44 reported in all of October. Here are the latest reports on COVID-19’s course through Darien from three different sources: First Selectman Jayme Stevenson’s report to the town, the weekly town Health Department report and a joint message from schools Superintendent Alan Addley and the district’s Director of Nursing Services, Alicia Casucci. Darienite.com has taken some slides from the Health Department’s report, (released on Thursday) and mixed them in with Stevenson’s message when they give overlapping information. Other slides from the department’s report are in their own section at the bottom. (Numbers sometimes differ between state and town reports, due to reporting sources and counting methods, but patterns and trends often can still be seen.) All captions in the slides are from Darienite.com.
Take time to destress, clear your mind and virtually join instructor Talita Moss in this relaxing 45-minute yoga session on Monday from 12 noon to 12:45 p.m., via Zoom. It can be hard to carve out time for yourself as a busy parent especially when you feel everyone needs something from you. In the time it takes to have your lunch you can unwind with an in-home yoga session. Registration Information
You can register here. There were still four spaces available on Thursday morning.
The high-water mark for COVID-19 hospitalizations in the Yale New Haven Health System, which includes Greenwich and Yale-New Haven hospitals, was four months ago during the second wave of the pandemic, said the hospital chain’s CEO, Marna Borgstrom at a news conference on Wednesday. Hospital officials and Greenwich’s town selectmen also talked about how the vaccination project is going, the COVID-19 variants present in Connecticut, described registration for vaccinations and said the dangers from the vaccines are minimal. — This article was first published by GreenwichFreePress.com. Pandemic Ebbs: ‘Vaccines Are Working’
On Dec. 8 the system had 447 COVID-positive patients.
OrthoConnecticut Coastal Orthopedics has reopened their 36 Old Kings Hwy. South location. — an announcement from OrthoConnecticut Coastal Orthopedics
The team of fellowship-trained and board-certified physicians and surgeons at Coastal Orthopedics are here to keep you moving, providing expertise in all areas of orthopedic care. The physicians and surgeons at Coastal Orthopedics concentrate on operative and non-operative solutions to musculoskeletal problems, offering pain management and minimally-invasive surgery to get you back to doing what you love. The Darien team has specialists who help with a wide range of orthopedic problems.
OrthoConnecticut Coastal Orthopedics has offices in Westport, Norwalk and Darien, is a group of fellowship-trained and board-certified surgeons.
Are you overwhelmed by the choices of Medicare? Let’s navigate this Medicare journey together! On Thursday, April 1, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Darien Library is hosting an online presentation where you can explore and evaluate Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance, Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans. — an announcement from Darien Library
This program will simplify the choices you need to make, help you make more well-informed decisions and explain what Medicare means for you! Register here.
In a message to families of Darien Public Schools students and school district staff, Superintendent Alan Addley noted that the district would have a vaccination clinic for teachers and staff on Friday and Saturday. He also said that two parents per player can now attend sports events. Also, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson issued her regular COVID-19 update to the town on Thursday. “As of March 1, teachers, school staff, licensed child care providers and anyone 55+ became eligible for vaccine,” she said. She also noted that Darien Library is expected to be closed until this Wednesday after a staff member acquired COVID-19.
A total of 629 Darien households have had at least one resident with COVID-19 since the pandemic began, and there are a total of 921 in town who tested positive, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said in her latest pandemic update. Schools Superintendent Alan Addley also released a message to teachers and parents to update them on pandemic developments for the school district. In addition, a recording of a public, hourlong discussion Thursday about the state’s vaccine rollout has been posted. It features the Stamford Hospital CEO, the state director of economic development and an area business leader. Here are both Darien messages, along with a description of the video and link to it:
First Selectman’s Announcement
Stevenson sent out the announcement on CodeRed alert system (which you can sign up for here) and on the town government website.
The Town of Darien’s Health, Human Services and Senior Programs departments urge all residents to sign up for Code Red alerts, if they have not done so already. — an announcement from the two town departments
Detailed information regarding vaccine availability for Darien residents will be announced through the First Selectman’s weekly Code Red message, as well as local media outlets. As plans for Phase 1B develop we want to make sure everyone is informed, particularly those who will be eligible during that phase, such as seniors over age 75. To register for CODE RED click here: Community Notification Enrollment. If you need assistance with enrolling please call the Human Services department at 203-656-7328 and we will be happy to help you.
Don’t let COVID-19 let you feel so down that it interferes with your ability to help yourself or others. Get help, now, and here are some first steps suggesting where you might go. In an ongoing effort to help town residents with many of the emotional difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the town Human Services Department and the Community Fund of Darien have gathered links to resources and put the information both online and in postcards being sent to residents this week. Here’s their joint announcement, with Web links, and Darienite.com has added further information below that:
Monday’s Announcement
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt our daily lives, stress, worry and fear can seriously impact our mental health. The “new normal” of unemployment or working from home, virtual learning, isolation from family and friends, and other uncertainties make prioritizing mental health even more challenging. The added financial and emotional stress of the holiday season can also exacerbate an already difficult time for many, especially those living with depression or anxiety.
Darien Health Director David Knauf on Wednesday issued a description of the state’s revised (less strict) guidelines for shorter quarantines for those exposed to COVID-19 who don’t show any symptoms.
The state Department of Public Health now says a 10-day quarantine (with Day 0 as the day of exposure) is often enough, rather than the previous 14-day period.But daily monitoring of symptoms is still necessary, according to the new guideline. In some circumstances, even seven days is enough, the state says. Here’s the full text of the announcement:
Many people have received calls from health officials regarding their exposure to COVID-19 positive cases and have been asked to quarantine. Recognizing that 14 days can be a long period of time to quarantine, the state has recommended allowing reduced quarantine times for asymptomatic contacts of positive COVID patients as follows:
Based on the updated guidance from CDC, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) recommends changing the quarantine period for persons known to be close contacts of cases of COVID-19 to 10 days if:
1) Daily self-monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms has been done and the person has had no symptoms of COVID-19 during the whole 10-day quarantine (day 0 is the is the day of exposure); AND
2) Daily symptom monitoring continues after 10 days for an additional 4 days (days 11–14). If any symptoms develop, immediately self-isolate and contact their local public health department or their healthcare provider; AND
3) After 10 days, persons need to continue to take the measures needed to prevent COVID-19, including but not limited to: wearing a mask when out in public and avoiding gatherings with people who are not in your immediate household, are over 65 years old or who have medical conditions that place them at increased risk for COVID-19.
We hope this finds your family in good health as you face the challenges of living life during a pandemic. As COVID-19 cases increase across the state and in the town, the Town of Darien and the Darien Public Schools wish to share some reminders and practices designed to keep our community safe, to keep schools open, and to support our local businesses. — an announcement issued Thursday by Town of Darien and Darien Public Schools officials
It will take a conscious town-wide effort to keep our community healthy, and in turn allow our schools and businesses to remain open. Achieving these goals requires a collective commitment to adhere to public health and safety recommendations. These recommendations can help guide safe decision-making regarding participation in gatherings, sporting or recreational activities, and travel.
If you didn’t get your flu shot yet, you can make an appointment for one on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Town Hall Gymnasium, Darien Health Department announced Tuesday. Click here to book your appointment. The vaccine used by the department is preservative free and available to those over 3 years old. A high dose is available to those over the age of 65.
Update, 8:54 p.m. — Forty people at Darien High School are considered “close contacts” of one person who tested positive for COVID-19 and was last at Darien High School on Wednesday, Superintendent Alan Addley and Nurse Alicia Casucci said in an announcement to parents at about 6:30 p.m., Thursday. The emailed announcement said in part:
“The affected person has been instructed to remain home in self-isolation for 10 days and have been provided with additional instructions to follow prior to returning to school. Family members have also been instructed to self-quarantine and get tested. “It was also determined 40 individuals are considered close contacts and require to be quarantined. All individuals have been notified and given further instructions regarding quarantine and further evaluation. The high school building also received additional cleaning.”
If you do it the right way — take the approved COVID-19 tests, fill out the right forms and send them to the right state authorities — you can come to Connecticut (or come back if you’re returning) without having to quarantine. Darien Health Director David Knauf sent out this news release to help people understand the rules:
We are receiving a number of questions regarding traveling to and returning from states that are on the restricted list issued by the Governor’s Office. Please refer to the following guidance:
1. Returning travelers need to … …
