Cameron on Transportation
Jim Cameron Jim Cameron 8-2-16

What Can You Do With an Empty Parking Lot? — Cameron on Transportation

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There’s another part of our transportation network being seriously affected by COVID-19 beyond our roads and rails: parking lots. Parking is something we take for granted, giving us access to rail stations, shopping and offices. It’s hardly glamorous, but the parking industry represents an $11 billion business nationwide, one third of it privately owned. In Connecticut most rail station parking is owned by the Connecticut DOT but administered by the local towns, each of which sets its own rates and terms. The money collected from commuters is supposed to be spent on station upkeep and amenities while the state takes its share. Pre-COVID, the demand for rail station parking was so high that some Fairfield County towns had five-year waiting lists for annual permits.

Charity Events and Opportunities
Americares in Peru COVID-19 2020 Coronavirus 2020

Americares Helps Peru Fight COVID-19 Surge

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Patients receive medical care, including COVID-19 testing, at an Americares and VIDA Perú mobile clinic in Lima, Peru, on Aug. 29. Photo by Angela Ponce/Americares. Stamford-based Americares is providing “surge” medical support in Peruvian health facilities overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The health-focused relief and development organization is dispatching medical personnel, all of which are locally based and have experience working within the health system, to health centers in Lambayeque, Lima and Piura to meet the increase in demand for care and provide the struggling health system with some relief as the coronavirus pushes health center capacity to the brink.

Back to School 2020
Darien YMCA counselor students

Darien YMCA to Host ‘Y Hybrid Learning Lab’ For Elementary School Students Doing Remote Learning

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To help families and students during the transition into a new school year, the Darien YMCA has developed the “Y Hybrid Learning Lab” for elementary school students in town. The Learning Lab is a safe and structured environment at the Y that will allow students to attend virtual classes and have peer interaction under the supervision of YMCA staff and volunteers as the district follows a Hybrid Model in September. — an announcement from the Darien YMCA

The Y Learning Lab will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Hindley, Tokeneke and Royle Schools and 9 a.m. to  3:30 p.m. for Holmes and Ox Ridge, which coincides with their regular school hours. Students will be grouped with similar grades with a maximum of 16 students per group, as per state guidelines. Each group will be separated from other groups.

Darien Community Association
DCA Thrift Shop

DCA Thrift Shop Reopens Tuesday, But You’ll Have to Make an Appointment for Drop-Offs

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The DCA Thrift Shop is having a grand reopening, with a new makeover, on Tuesday, August 25. The new shop hours will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. — an announcement from the Darien Community Association

Donations at the DCA Thrift Shop will only be received if you sign up for one of the days and times using the link below starting Monday, August 24. No donations will be accepted without an appointment. Please click here to sign up for a day and time. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing during drop-off.

Coronavirus 2020
Ochman Addley online meeting

Darien Schools to Open Sept 3-4 ‘Hybrid’ Virtual/In-School, Then Full-Time In-School on Sept 29

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Darien schools will open Sept. 3 and 4, with students going to school two days a week and being taught online for other days, schools Superintendent Alan Addley told the Board of Education on Monday night. Then, Addley said, on Sept. 29, about three weeks later, the schools will be open “full-time,” with students going five days a week. Fridays will be half days throughout the school year, with students learning remotely, on-line.

Coronavirus 2020
Weed Beach Darien Parks & Recreation Department

As More Flock to Beaches, Darien Closes Them to Out-of-Town People

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With the recent hot weather drawing more and more people to Darien’s two town beaches, concerns about crowding during the COVID-19 pandemic led First Selectman Jayme Stevenson to close Weed and Pear Tree Point Beaches to out-of-town visitors. The First Selectman’s Office released this announcement explaining the move:

IN LIGHT OF THE EXISTING PANDEMIC AND THE CURRENT STATE OF EMERGENCY, THE TOWN OF DARIEN WILL TEMPORARILY RESTRICT BEACHES TO RESIDENTS ONLY ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS

First Selectman, Jayme Stevenson, has today issued an executive order that limits access to Town beaches to Darien residents only, on Saturdays and Sundays. The current heat wave, which is expected to last for several more days, has been drawing, and will continue to draw, more people to our beaches. The health, safety and welfare of our citizens is, and will continue to be, a top priority. This is especially true during this global pandemic.

Coronavirus 2020
COVID-19 testing Stevenson Facebook DHS Friday morning

Darien Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Moves to Leroy West Parking Lot on Friday, July 10

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Starting Friday, Darien’s COVID-19 drive-through testing site will be at the Leroy West parking lot, at the corner of Leroy and West avenues near Darien Railroad Station, the town government has announced. The testing site had to be moved from the Darien High School parking lot because the school is getting ready for the upcoming school year, according to the announcement. Here’s the announcement sent out by the Darien Health Department:

In an effort to provide a much needed service to residents, the Town of Darien has partnered with Murphy Medical Associates of Greenwich to offer COVID-19 testing at a drive thru clinic in Darien. Over the past three months, this clinic, located at the high school, has safely tested hundreds of residents and provided critical information in understanding the extent of infection so important in these days of the coronavirus pandemic. While we have had great success with the location on high school property, the clinic needs to be relocated because expanded public use of school grounds is about to begin.

Healthy Living
COVID-19 image U.S. Embassy Fiji https://fj.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19-information/

LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: June 29 to July 5

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This week’s news and links on the COVID-19 pandemic for Darien, as they come in:

LATEST UPDATES: Darien Library reopening postponed to July 6 (due to lack of protective equipment) || State’s youth employment funding expanded with federal CARES Act funds

||Governor’s Tuesday COVID-19 update: 16 states now on quarantine list for CT, NY, NJ; continuing education classes for plumbers and electricians can be done online; different types of healthcare providers can now get funding from Coronavirus Relief Fund already used for nursing homes

See also:
LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates:

June 22 to 28 || June 15 to 21 || June 7 to 14 || June 1 to 7 || May 25 to 31 || May 18 to 24 || May 11 to 17 || May 3 to 10 || April 27 to May 3 || April 20 to 26 || April 13 to 19 || April 5 to 12 || March 30 to April 5
THURSDAY: Governor’s COVID-19 Briefing
Thursday, July 2 —  Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 6 p.m.:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected. NEW REPORTING SCHEDULE: Effective immediately, the State of Connecticut will continue to publish these COVID-19 metric reports five days a week, every Monday through Friday. The report that is issued every Monday will include combined data that was collected on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Coronavirus 2020
COVID-19 restaurant outdoors masks reopening

LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: June 22 to 28

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This week’s news and links on the COVID-19 pandemic for Darien, as they come in:

LATEST UPDATES: Governor’s updates for Saturday, Sunday

|| Governor’s update for Friday: An estimated 5% of state has antibodies for COVID-19 virus, 2nd highest of places tested; state grant program redirects $3M in awards to pandemic-related projects for healthcare, education, child care, cultural groups 

|| School reopening rules issued by state || Connecticorps launching: an opportunity for volunteers to help fight the pandemic

See also:
LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates:

June 15 to 21 || June 7 to 14 || June 1 to 7 || May 25 to 31 || May 18 to 24 || May 11 to 17 || May 3 to 10 || April 27 to May 3 || April 20 to 26 || April 13 to 19 || April 5 to 12 || March 30 to April 5
SUNDAY: Governor’s COVID-19 Briefing
Sunday, June 28 — Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 10 a.m.:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected. Overall Summary
Statewide Total
(includes confirmed and probable cases)
Change Since Yesterday

COVID-19 Cases
46,303
+97

COVID-19-Associated Deaths
4,316
+5

Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19
103
-3

COVID-19 PCR Tests Reported
436,644
+9,077

County-by-county breakdown:

County
COVID-19 Cases
COVID-19 Deaths
COVID-19 Hospitalizations

Confirmed
Probable
Confirmed
Probable

Fairfield County
15,995
638
1,070
305
32

Hartford County
10,912
675
1,056
313
27

Litchfield County
1,419
63
116
20
1

Middlesex County
1,232
60
144
39
8

New Haven County
11,905
394
923
150
33

New London County
1,182
62
76
26
2

Tolland County
840
70
50
14
0

Windham County
598
7
13
1
0

Pending address validation
241
10
0
0
0

Total
44,324
1,979
3,448
868
103

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”
SATURDAY: Governor’s COVID-19 Briefing
Saturday, June 27 — Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 10 a.m.:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week.

Cameron on Transportation
Metro-North train railroad cleaning COVID-19 2020 Coronavirus 2020

We’ll Still Need Metro-North, and We’ll Need It To Be Safe: Cameron on Transportation

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As New York City businesses reopens it’s expected that one million people will get back to work, some of them from Connecticut. But how they get to those jobs is the big question. While I’ve written for weeks that I expect many Nutmeggers will opt first for their personal automobiles, the resulting traffic mess will soon have them reconsidering a return to Metro-North and the city’s subways. The big issue, of course, is keeping everyone safe by maintaining social distancing and requiring face masks for all riders. More Trains and Subways

Metro-North has already expanded rush hour service by 26% over their scaled-back “essential service” levels.

Coronavirus 2020
COVID-19 Coronavirus lab technician https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=3671

LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: June 15 to 21

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This week’s news and links on the COVID-19 pandemic for Darien, as they come in:

LATEST UPDATES: Governor’s briefings || Assistance program expanded for low-income families hurt by COVID-19 economic downturn

See also:
LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates:

June 7 to 14 || June 1 to 7 || May 25 to 31 || May 18 to 24 || May 11 to 17 || May 3 to 10 || April 27 to May 3 || April 20 to 26 || April 13 to 19 || April 5 to 12 || March 30 to April 5
SUNDAY: Governor’s COVID-19 Briefing
Sunday, June 21 — Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 12:30 p.m.:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected. Overall Summary
Statewide Total
(includes confirmed and probable cases)
Change Since Yesterday

COVID-19 Cases
45,755
+40

COVID-19-Associated Deaths
4,260
+9

Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19
149
-1

COVID-19 PCR Tests Reported
393,475
+3,772

County-by-county breakdown:

County
COVID-19 Cases
COVID-19 Deaths
COVID-19 Hospitalizations

Confirmed
Probable
Confirmed
Probable

Fairfield County
15,847
628
1,063
298
53

Hartford County
10,738
667
1,039
311
44

Litchfield County
1,404
63
115
20
1

Middlesex County
1,200
59
136
38
9

New Haven County
11,798
387
909
152
37

New London County
1,155
62
76
25
4

Tolland County
825
70
50
14
0

Windham County
572
7
13
1
1

Pending address validation
263
10
0
0
0

Total
43,802
1,953
3,401
859
149

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”
SATURDAY: Governor’s COVID-19 Briefing
Saturday, June 20 — Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 12 noon:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week.

Coronavirus 2020
Yale New Haven Zoom Conference June 2020

Yale New Haven Health: CT’S COVID-19 Trajectory is One Other States Would Like to Have

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During a weekly press briefing on COVID-19 via Zoom with leaders of the Yale New Haven Health System, which includes Greenwich Hospital, COO Marna Borgstrom said she was proud of Connecticut for having a trajectory other states envy. — This article originally was published by GreenwichFreePress.com. Connecticut’s COVID-19 numbers were not only lower than states in the West and Southwest, but also lower than neighboring states. “We are at less than 10% from where we were at our COVID-19 peak in in-patient volume,” Borgstrom said. “I feel like I have to pinch myself because we’re all reading the national news about patient admissions…Our numbers have consistently continued to come down,” she said.

Healthy Living
Masks COVID-19 Coronavirus 2020

LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: June 7 to 14

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This week’s news and links on the COVID-19 pandemic for Darien, as they come in:

LATEST UPDATES: Governor’s Friday, Saturday Sunday COVID-19 briefings || State provides more career help, job-seeking services, work training || Governor’s Thursday COVID-19 briefing: Data on nursing home COVID-19 cases released

See also:
LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates:

June 1 to 6 || May 25 to 31 || May 18 to 24 || May 11 to 17 || May 3 to 10 || April 27 to May 3 || April 20 to 26 || April 13 to 19 || April 5 to 12 || March 30 to April 5
SUNDAY: Governor’s COVID-19 Briefing
Sunday, June 14 — Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 4 p.m.:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected. Overall Summary
Statewide Total
(includes confirmed and probable cases)
Change Since Yesterday

COVID-19 Cases
45,088
+94

COVID-19-Associated Deaths
4,201
+15

Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19
205
-28

COVID-19 PCR Tests Reported
347,190
+4,852

County-by-county breakdown:

County
COVID-19 Cases
COVID-19 Deaths
COVID-19 Hospitalizations

Confirmed
Probable
Confirmed
Probable

Fairfield County
15,690
616
1,052
294
68

Hartford County
10,564
654
1,023
304
52

Litchfield County
1,380
62
115
21
3

Middlesex County
1,173
56
134
37
11

New Haven County
11,653
381
895
149
63

New London County
1,173
63
75
26
6

Tolland County
817
71
48
14
0

Windham County
458
7
13
1
2

Pending address validation
264
6
0
0
0

Total
43,172
1,916
3,355
846
205

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”
SATURDAY: Governor’s COVID-19 Briefing
Saturday, June 13 — Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 3 p.m.: 

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week.

Healthy Living

LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: June 1 to 6

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This week’s news and links on the COVID-19 pandemic for Darien, as they come in:

LATEST UPDATES: Governor’s Saturday COVID-19 Briefing || Governor’s Friday COVID-19 BRIEFING: Rules for drive-thru graduations, modifications of rules for drive-in religious events; suspension of involuntary discharge of residents from nursing homes or residential care homes to homeless shelters; Phase 2 of CT Reopening moved to June 17 to avoid it happening during Father’s Day weekend

See also:
LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates:

June 7 to 14 

May 25 to 31 || May 18 to 24 || May 11 to 17 || May 3 to 10 || April 27 to May 3 || April 20 to 26 || April 13 to 19 || April 5 to 12 || March 30 to April 5
SATURDAY Governor’s COVID-19 Briefing

Saturday, June 6 — Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 4 p.m.:
Data updates on testing in Connecticut
The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected. County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”

FRIDAY Governor’s COVID-19 Briefing
Friday, June 5 — Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 6:30 p.m.:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week.

Community Organizations

Corbin Cares Initiative for Food-Insecure Families and Seniors Extended to July 3

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When Corbin Cares and the Darien Foundation partnered back in March to provide meals for Darien senior citizens and families impacted by the shelter-in-place order, the program was projected to wind down by Friday, May 22. However, the ongoing needs related to the pandemic have warranted the program’s extension to Friday, July 3. — an announcement from Corbin Cares and the Darien Foundation

“We conceived these meals to replace the lunches that were being served by the now closed Mather Senior Center and to support families who had relied on the school lunch program” said Sarah Woodberry, executive director of the Darien Foundation. “We are proud that as of May 22, this collaboration has provided 4,140 meals to those in need.”

Corbin Cares enlisted six local restaurants, including Bodega Taco Bar, Ten Twenty Post, Baldanza Bistro, Four Forks, Jake’s Place and UCBC, to provide healthy, boxed meals that are then distributed to the seniors and families. “It’s inspiring to be involved in a public private partnership like this,” said Ward Glassmeyer, chairman of The Darien Foundation.