December 9, 2020 – K. Graney COVID-19 Update

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Hi everyone, this is Kevin, today is Wednesday, December 9th.

In COVID news, worldwide focus continues on the rollout of the vaccine. Yesterday, a 91-year-old UK grandmother became the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer vaccine as part of a mass vaccination program in that country. As the vaccine becomes available in the U.S., my hope is that Americans will follow the lead of this 91-year-old and get vaccinated for the good of themselves and their fellow man.

At a press conference earlier this week, Connecticut Governor Lamont said that if the FDA approves the Pfizer vaccine as expected, rollout to hospitals will begin the week of December 14th and then to long-term care partners the following week, December 21st. The state is currently working with its vaccine providers, which will include both large and small pharmacies, and health centers, to ramp up to capacity for deployment. As we understand the vaccine roll-out, it will be given to first responders and nursing home caregivers and residents first–referred to as Phase 1a. Phase 1b will be rolled out which is expected to include populations who are not able to work from home. While we can anticipate our role as essential workers may qualify us to receive vaccinations, it is too early to tell how many or when vaccines may be available. We are taking steps to prepare for administering vaccines here at EB when they become available to us.

Rhode Island is now halfway through its two-week “pause,” during which residents are encouraged to stay home, and Governor Raimondo is satisfied with the response from residents, although this week’s data continues to climb in both Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Yesterday, Massachusetts announced it is taking a step back in the hopes of stemming the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced Tuesday afternoon that the state will move back to Step 1 of Phase 3 in his reopening plan. As such, indoor performance venues and high-contact recreational businesses will once again have to close, while businesses permitted to stay open will be reduced to 40% capacity.

Ordinarily, we’d be celebrating the holiday season with colleagues at this time. Virtually all of us have participated in holiday gatherings with our co-workers, and as I thought about it, those celebrations this year seem completely foreign and almost a distant memory given our current environment. This year, we will not be taking any chances, and we will not be holding employee holiday parties or similar gatherings.  Frankly, I will miss the opportunity to celebrate with you.

Please everyone—continue to practice the “3 W’s”: Wear a mask, Wash your hands, and Watch your distance. Those of you who can work from home should do so, and if you feel sick, please don’t come to work.

At Governor Lamont’s weekly COVID update, he and health experts reminded listeners about the tremendous strain the pandemic has put on our society.  The holidays can be a stressful time under normal circumstances, and I think we all agree that this year has been anything but normal. People may feel isolated, angry and without hope given how long we have been living under COVID protocols. These are definitely challenging times. I want to simply remind you that EB has resources available for all employees at no cost that can help you or others who might need it. Please be aware of the people you work around, and if you see someone who could use some encouragement, make it a point to reach out and help them.

The EB resources I refer to are available confidentially through the EB Employee Assistance Program.  For more information about these benefits, visit the Employee Assistance website or contact the EB Benefits office at 860-433-4201 or at benefits@gdeb.com. Please take care of yourselves and your families.

Stay safe and stay healthy. Thanks; we’ll talk again soon.

Kevin

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