Newsletter 4/16/21

covid
April 16, 2021
This week was spring break for schools in Fairfield. If you traveled this week, I hope you had a lovely time. As you are aware, traveling can result in the potential to return home with unrecognized COVID-19 infections.

In an effort to maximize in-person learning, Fairfield Public schools want to ensure students and school staff returning from travel to school during their infectious period, follow the CDC’s and DPH’s best-practice quarantine and testing procedures, including: 
  • Quarantining for a full 7 days, even with a negative COVID-19 test result obtained between days 3-5; or 
  • Quarantining for a full 10 days without testing; and 
  • Continuing to monitor for symptoms during all quarantine periods. 

If you and your family chose not to observe a quarantine upon return, it is recommended that at minimum, you:

  • Get tested for COVID-19 after you return to Connecticut 
  • Have your children stay home from in-person learning until they receive a negative test result back from the laboratory; 
  • Be acutely and continuously aware of any symptoms of COVID-19 that you or your family may develop in the two weeks after travel; and 
  • Be prepared to immediately isolate/quarantine if/when symptoms develop.

Read the full Spring Break Travel Advisory from Fairfield Public Schools here.
 
ZONING
There is a great deal of concern around the proposed legislation that would make some changes to zoning. I shared many of the concerns that were raised and thankfully, most of them were addressed through the committee process. Of note, as of 2 weeks ago, the following bills did not make it out of committee: HB-6612, HB-6613, SB-1027, and SB-1068 and HB-1024 did make it out of committee but section 6, which allowed for certain “as of right” multifamily development was eliminated.

Last Wednesday, I hosted a forum on the bills that did make it out of committee. I welcome you to watch it and share your thoughts. https://fb.watch/4QghN7x2bJ/

I look forward to continuing this conversation as the remaining bills work through the legislative process. If you have any questions about anything discussed or not discussed, please reach out to me at jennifer.leeper@cga.ct.gov. These are extremely important issues for our community and state.
 
VACCINE UPDATE
ATTENTION VETERANS

The Connecticut VA Healthcare System is holding several a COVID-19 vaccine walk-in clinic this Saturday, April 17th at Harding High School at 379 Bond Street in Bridgeport. No appointment is necessary to receive the vaccine.
 
The clinic is open to the following persons:
  • Anyone who served in the U.S. Military (whether or not they are enrolled in the VA healthcare system)
  • Spouses of Veterans
  • Caregivers of Veterans
JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE
 
As you likely heard, earlier this week the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine out of an abundance of caution. This follows six reported cases of a rare blood clotting event among the approximately 6.8 million U.S. patients who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. None of these reported cases were in Connecticut.
 
Vaccine providers that were planning to administer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are delaying operations or offering the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, if available. The Department of Public Health will work with providers to minimize the disruption in vaccine administration.
 
VACCINE STATISTICS
We’ve officially passed the one million mark! As of Thursday, April 16th, 1,037,446 Connecticut residents have been fully vaccinated.
 
Connecticut continues to rank among the top three states in the nation that have administered the most vaccines per capita.
 
So far, those who have received at least one dose in Connecticut include:
  • 87% of those over the age of 65;
  • 73% of those between the ages of 55-64;
  • 56% of those between the ages of 45-54; and
  • 34% of those between the ages of 16-44.
 
RECYCLING INFORMATION
Last week, I had the opportunity to co-host along with the Fairfield Public Library and the Sustainable Fairfield Task Force, Sherill Baldwin from DEEP to offer her “What’s In, What’s Out” program. Recycling can be confusing – did you know black plastics are NOT recyclable in CT? I didn’t. On my website I have the DEEP widget where you can enter anything you aren’t sure of and it will tell you if it’s in or out. Additionally, our state has a universal list of what belongs in your recycling bin and what doesn’t. All items should be empty, rinsed, clean and open. Do not shred, box, bag or bundle.

You can find the universal list here and you can watch the full "What's In, What's Out"' program below. 
 
To learn more about recycling, please visit RecycleCT.com
 
TAXES AND THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
This year’s extended tax deadline, May 17th. Filing your taxes is more important than ever to ensure you receive critical federal stimulus money that may be available to you.
With the passage of the American Rescue Plan, there have now been three Economic Impact Payments over the past year, the so-called stimulus checks, made to individuals.
  • First Round - $1,200 per adult and $500 per child
  • Second Round - $600 per adult and $600 per child
  • Third Round - $1,400 per adult and $1,400 per child

The Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limits for the full amount are:

  • Single filers: $75,000:
  • Married filing jointly: $150,000
  • Head of Household: $112,500 

The below AGI limits, are eligible for a reduced amount:

  • Single filers: less than $80,00
  • Married filing jointly: less than $160,000
  • Head of household: less than $120,000

The full amount is $1,400 for each taxpayer with a social security number plus $1400 for each dependent with a social security number.
 
The American Rescue Plan also expanded the Earned Income Tax Credit.  Previously limited to people over 25, the Earned Income Tax Credit is now open to:

  • Individuals over 19
  • Former foster kids who are 18 years or older
  • Homeless youth (no age specified)

In addition, the amount available under the Earned Income Tax Credit for individuals without children has more than doubled to $1,500. Learn more about the Earned Income Tax Credit here.
 
If you didn't get a first and second Economic Impact Payment or got less than the full amounts, you may be eligible to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit. In order to claim the 2020 Recovery Rebate Credit, along with several expanded and refundable tax credits available to individuals, you must file a 2020 tax return, even if you usually don’t file a tax return.
 
If you need assistance filing your 2020 taxes, you can find a number of resources here. 
 
FEMA FUNERAL ASSISTANCE
Over the past year, many families across our state and country have suffered the pain of losing a loved one due to COVID-19. In addition to dealing with their tragic loss, families were suddenly saddled with the high cost of funeral expenses. In order to ease this financial burden, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it will provide financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

Applicants may receive assistance for the funeral expenses of multiple deceased individuals, with assistance limited to a maximum of $9,000 per funeral.
 
To begin the application process, please call FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline at 1-844-684-6333 (TTY: 800-462-7585) from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. Once you’ve submitted an application, you can submit your documentation online through disasterassistance.gov.
 
There is currently no deadline to apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance, but you should begin the application process as soon as possible.
 
For more information on this assistance, visit fema.gov/funeral-assistance/faq.
 
PARKS AND STATE BEACHES WILL BE
OPEN TO FULL CAPACITY
Governor Lamont announced last Friday that Connecticut’s state parks and beaches will be open to full capacity this summer. Picnic areas are reopening, along with public bathrooms and concession area. All campgrounds and cabins will be open but will employ a reservation system.
 
While restrictions have been lifted, COVID-19 safety precautions, such as mask wearing and social distancing, are still required. Visitors who do not abide by these rules may be asked to leave state park property.