Healthy Living
Weed Beach

Darien Parks and Beaches Now Open: Here Are the Rules

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Darien Parks, including both beaches, are again open to Darien residents, the Parks and Recreation Department recently announced. They had been closed due to social distancing concerns in order to slow the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic. Here are the rules for visitors, from the town government website:
BEACHES
• Beaches will be open to vehicles starting Thursday, May 7 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

• Beaches will be open to Darien residents only

• Security guards will be checking for vehicle permit. A 2019 permit is valid through May 31, 2020. • Daily passes will not be sold at gate

• Park monitor will be enforcing social distancing rules, general park rules, and making sure large groups are not gathering

• No lifeguards will be on duty until further notice

• All picnic tables have been removed from the beaches • Trash cans have been removed.

Healthy Living
COVID-19 testing Stevenson Facebook DHS Friday morning

Darien First Selectman and Health Director Now Recommend Everybody Get a COVID-19 Test

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All Darien residents should get a COVID-19 test to confirm whether or not they have been infected by the virus, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson and Health Director David Knauf said in an announcement on Friday. “Testing was initially recommended for only those who had virus symptoms,” the announcement says. “We are now urging all Darien residents to be tested. To make an appointment, please visit CoronaTestCT.com.” At another point, the statement says: “As testing becomes more available, we learn more about this virus.

Healthy Living
COVID-19 testing outside DHS Friday April 10, 2020

Governor Lifts Regulations to Allow Expansion of COVID-19 Testing in Connecticut

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Gov. Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is lifting certain regulations on who can order diagnostic tests to allow for a major expansion of COVID-19 testing in the state. — an announcement from the Governor’s Office (with boldface added here)

This includes the suspension of the requirement that patients receive a referral from a physician or other prescribing medical provider (such as a physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or certified nurse practitioner) prior to being administered a COVID-19 test, and the modification of state laws and regulations in order to allow these tests to be conducted by pharmacists. The governor explained that this will help the state in its overall goal of significantly increasing the number of people who are receiving tests, particularly for those in underserved communities or who may not have a primary care physician. He also said that allowing the COVID-19 tests to be administered at pharmacies will increase access, especially within more populated, urban areas and facilitate increased screening of essential front-line workers. “One of our top priorities to combat COVID-19 is to significantly increase testing.

Opinion
Jim Cameron Jim Cameron 8-2-16

I Can’t Imagine the Cruise Ship Industry Disappearing. At Least, I Hope Not: Cameron on Transportation

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Have you ever taken a cruise? According to that industry, something like 28 million people worldwide took to the high seas last year. But that still leave 80% of Americans who have never cruised, enjoying the midnight buffets, spas and casinos at sea. Obviously, cruising has lost its allure since the megaships became epicenters of COVID-19 outbreaks, trapping passengers in their cabins for days as some ships searched for a port that would let them dock with their contagious human cargo. Even before the current pandemic cruise ships were notorious hotspots for simpler bugs like the norovirus which caused “acute gastrointestinal illness.” It’s hard to share a confined space like a ship without touching surfaces that harbor the virus.

Education
Maritime Aquarium teacher appreciation week

Maritime Aquarium Hosts ‘Teaching During a Pandemic’ Webinar and Salutes Teachers This Week

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The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk will host a timely webinar on Thursday, May 8 at 5 p.m. focused on the current situation within which educators are working. — an announcement from the Maritime Aquarium

At a time of unprecedented challenges for teachers, the aquarium is celebrating educators the week of May 4 as part of “Teacher Appreciation Week” via daily raffles, social media shout outs and a specially-themed webinar. “Teaching during a Pandemic: a Sea Change for STEM Education and a New Role for Partners” will be hosted by aquarium president and CEO Jason Patlis and aquarium director of Education Tom Naiman. The online panel discussion will explore the challenges educators have faced since schools closed, how they’ve adapted and what is working for them, and how parents can best support their efforts. Registration is free and available on the aquarium’s website.

Education
Hindley School 4-27-16

Governor: School Buildings to Stay Closed for Rest of School Year

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School buildings must be closed for the rest of the academic year to keep students and staff safe from COVID-19, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Tuesday morning. Online teaching will continue to take place, and take-out school lunch and breakfast programs must continue, the governor said. Lamont and state education officials will discuss the decision at the governor’s 4 p.m. news briefing. A decision on holding summer school is expected by the end of May, according to the announcement. Here’s the full text of Lamont’s announcement:

Gov. Ned Lamont today announced that due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, he is ordering in-person classes at all K-12 public school facilities in Connecticut to remain canceled for the rest of the 2019-2020 academic year and continue providing distance learning during this period.

Business
Online keyboard

Online Learning Programs for Unemployed Expanded in Connecticut

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The statewide expansion of a program that will make free online learning licenses available to recipients of unemployment insurance, including those who have been impacted by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 public health crisis, was announced Monday by Gov. Ned Lamont. The SkillUp CT program will expand access to comprehensive online course work from a leading global provider for thousands of Connecticut residents. — an announcement from the Governor’s Office

Originally launched in eastern Connecticut, a sustained rollout of the program across the state over the coming weeks will enable recently laid-off workers to upgrade their skills and earn industry-recognized certifications even while the doors to most brick-and mortar education and training providers remain closed. Based on a successful model implemented by the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, it is being offered through Connecticut’s five regional workforce development boards. Eligible Connecticut residents will receive email instructions on obtaining a Metrix Learning license that provides them access to about 5,000 online Skillsoft courses in areas such as information technology, business analysis, customer service, project management, and digital literacy, among others.

Healthy Living

LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: April 27 to May 3

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News and links on the COVID-19 pandemic for Darien:

LATEST UPDATES: Multi-state supply chain for PPE announced by Lamont and other Northeast governors; Sunday updates from Gov. Lamont; COVID-19 test numbers in southwest Connecticut; Saturday updates from Gov. Lamont; FEMA approves crisis counseling funding for Connecticut. See also:

“LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: April 20 to 26”
“LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: April 13 to 19”
“LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: April 5 to 12”
“LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: March 30 to April 5”

Northeast Governors Announce Agreement to Develop Regional Supply Chain to Fight COVID-19
Sunday, May 3 — Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Ned Lamont, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the governors of New Jersey , Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Delaware today announced a multi-state agreement to develop a regional supply chain for personal protective equipment, other medical equipment and testing. “This concept is at the heart of the regional approach we’ve established,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said. “With global supply chains continuing to experience a major disruption due to the pandemic, combining the efforts of our states into a regional purchasing initiative will help our states obtain needed PPE and other medical equipment without competing against each other,” Lamont said. While the states will continue to partner with the federal government during this global and national public health crisis, they will also work together to identify the entire region’s needs for these products, aggregate demand among the states, reduce costs and stabilize the supply chain.

Americares 2020
Covid is No Joke fundraiser square thumbnail

Stars and Comedy Stars Align in Youtube Benefit for Americares

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The biggest names in comedy are coming together to help health workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic with a special virtual comedy fest on Friday, May 1. The Covid Is No Joke comedy show will be a night of levity, laughter and community in support of frontline health workers—the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic. — an announcement from Americares

The show will air LIVE on covidisnojoke.org and Americares YouTube channel at 8 p.m., benefitting Americares COVID-19 response. The star-studded event will feature a mix of sketches, stand-up comedy and heart-felt messages from:
Elizabeth Banks, Ike Barinholtz, Jack Black and Tenacious D, Wayne Brady, D’Arcy Carden, Kristin Chenoweth, Tom Cotter, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass, Will Ferrell, Gal Gadot, Kyle Gass, Linda Hamilton, Chelsea Handler, Mindy Kaling, Kerri Louise, Jonathan Mangum, Patton Oswalt, Natalia Reyes, Adam Scott, Finn Straley, Paige Weldon, Jenny Yang and more. Americares board member and actor, director, producer Tony Goldwyn will host the one-hour event.

CBIA 2020
CBIA illustration

CBIA Panel Discussion: Reactivating Connecticut’s Economy

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What’s next for reopening Connecticut’s economy? You can find out in this Connecticut Business and Industry Association webinar with private sector leaders about challenges and opportunities. The 60-minute panel discussion, focused on reactivating the state’s pandemic-stricken economy, starts at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 30. Gov. Lamont’s Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group is developing guidelines and recommendations for reactivating the state’s pandemic-stricken economy. State Department of Economic and Community Development commissioner David Lehman opens this hour-long interactive webinar with an overview of the administration’s approach and priorities.

Food & Drink, Restaurants & Bars
Seoul restaurant empty Photo by Jouwen Wang, unsplash.com

Darien Health Dept: Food Establishment Inspections Suspended, Here’s What’s Replacing Them

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The Darien Health Department has given a description of what it’s now doing to ensure food safety while formal inspection reporting has been suspended since the state suspended in-restaurant dining in mid-March. 

The department now has restaurants screening employees for COVID-19 symptoms, social distancing on the job and use of personal protective equipment (PPEs). Signage and floor or ground markings are required for customers waiting in line to pick up food, and one-way foot traffic flow is required. Workers must make sure to wash their hands, and no bare-handed contact with ready-to-eat food is allowed. The department is also making unannounced visits to food-serving establishments to make sure the safety rules are being enforced by establishment management and adhered to by employees, even though inspections aren’t formally recorded in the regular reports. “This office has begun dialog with our local establishments to ensure that when reopening does occur, it will be in accordance with best practices to protect the public and the food service workers,” the announcement said.

Bell Ringing 2020
Bell Ringing logo

Darien 5-Minute Bell Ringing: A Thank-You to Healthcare Workers, First Responders in COVID-19 Epidemic

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Ring Your Bells for five minutes, Loud and Proud, Darien, to thank first responders and healthcare workers during the COVID-19 battle. It doesn’t have to be a bell — just make a noise outside your home for these Saturdays from 7 to 7:05 p.m.: April 25, May 2, 9 and 16. It starts at 7 p.m. sharp. In this continuing event, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson is encouraging Darien residents to ring a bell, bang a pot or otherwise make a noise for several minutes

The ringing, gonging, honking and yelling takes place rain or shine, right from your own window, door or, as the announcement suggests, “your front lawn or front steps.” “From 7 to 7:05, come stand on your front lawn or front steps and ring cowbells, shake holiday bells, bang a pot and pan or simply clap hands,” the announcement says.

Recreation
Bradford Benton Woodshop program Darien Park and Rec online class

Darien Parks and Recreation Classes Go Virtual with Online Offerings

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Lisa Nelms of SproutChefs has taken her Darien Parks and Recreation classes online: Instead of offering hands-on classes in the Mather Center, the classes now come from Chef Lisa’s kitchen to the participant’s kitchens, by way of Zoom. — an announcement from Darien Parks and Recreation Department

Classes are setup so kids can be the chefs and their parents can assist as sous-chefs. During the next upcoming session, participants may pick and choose from a variety of dessert classes offered every Friday at 3 p.m.

Enrollment is limited to 10 participants, so that individual attention can be given to each chef. The classes are scheduled to last an hour, but that may vary. Some chefs finish early, while others may have more questions and want more time.

Healthy Living
Sunflowers in a painting by Nobu Miki

LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: April 20 to 26

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News and links on the COVID-19 pandemic for Darien:

LATEST UPDATES: State Sen. Bob Duff to hold “Coronavirus Town Hall” online starting at 7 p.m., Sunday night; Nobu Miki’s art auction for Corbin Cares is being extended to 11 p.m.; Latest COVID-19 positive tests in lower Fairfield County; You can now walk at Waveny Park and on other public trails in New Canaan; Governor’s Saturday briefing. See also:

“LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: April 13 to 19”
“LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: April 5 to 12”
“LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: March 30 to April 5”

SUNDAY State Statistics on COVID-19 Cases in Lower Fairfield County
Sunday, April 26 — As of Sunday, 178 Darienites were identified with COVID-19, the same as the day before, according to information released by state authorities. (Reminders: Many people are thought to have the COVID-19 virus who aren’t identified; the state says “all figures are preliminary and subject to change.”)

Here’s the number of identified cases in nearby communities, according to the state government Web page for this day’s Coronavirus statistics:

Stamford — 2,255 cases (eight more than the 2,247 on Saturday)
Norwalk — 1,409 (seven more than the 1,402 on Saturday)
New Canaan — 129 (one more than the 128 on Saturday)
Greenwich — 625 (five more than the 620 on Saturday)
Westport — 230 (no new cases; the same number as the 230 on Saturday)
Wilton — 144 (no new cases; the same number as the 144 on Saturday)
Weston — 60 (one more than the 59 on Saturday)
Ridgefield — 174 (two more than the 172 on Saturday)
Fairfield — 365 (13 more than the 352 on Saturday)
Bridgeport — 1,705 (65 more than the 1,705 on Saturday)

TEN WORST HIT CONNECTICUT MUNICIPALITIES (with total cases): 1. Stamford (2,247), 2. Bridgeport (1,768), 3.