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PANDEMIC
UPDATES

Monday, March 30, 2020

From Kathleen Stauffer,

CEO of The Arc Eastern Connecticut

Good Monday Morning Everyone,

Well, we’ve come through another week of staying calm and living smart. Social distancing and hand-washing really do work, and your safety is of the utmost importance!

SOME GOOD NEWS:

Apple has developed an app that helps you determine whether you should get tested. Click Here to try it

The mental health community has really come together to share information on how to manage stress and anxiety during this time. Please check out this great resource page.

Here’s our latest COVID-19 update from The Arc ECT and around the state, as of 5 p.m., Sunday, March 29, 2020 . . .

Around the State:

We owe big thanks to our state legislators, including Sen. Somers, Rep. Courtney, and Sen. Murphy, as well as the Governor’s office for putting out such comprehensive and specific daily briefings regarding COVID-19 in the state, and continuing efforts to curb its spread.

I urge you to check out one or all of their web pages. You should also visit United Way’s 211 site, via internet or phone. Their cheerful resource specialists will go out of their way to help you get what you need.

Total positive cases in CT as of 3/29: 1,993 Total number of confirmed cases in Windham and New London Counties: 27
Highest number of cases in any town in eastern CT: 3
The Stimulus bill has passed the house and will be rolling out within the next 2 weeks. Assistance to families, small businesses and non-profits is included in the package, as well as funds and directives to produce more protective equipment and ventilators.
All non-essential workers statewide continue to be directed to work from home.
Restaurants are still limited to take-out only.
There are now 21 testing sites in CT. CALL your doctor before you go!
For comprehensive answers to how the pandemic is affecting Connecticut, Click Here.

Here at The Arc ECT:

Our residential programs are fully functional and as always are operating with staff 24/7.

We’re adjusting our day service options with a lot of creativity and technological support. In doing so, we’ve called some Direct Support Professionals back to work to augment current services and to maintain day supports by phone and remotely.

Interesting COVID fact:

As of this writing, scientists note that most viruses like this one do not stay alive for very long on surfaces, so it is not likely you would get COVID-19 from a package that was in transit for days or weeks. Still, the life of the virus depends on the type of material it lands on, transmitted by droplets from an infected person’s sneeze or cough.

Source: USA Today, 3/25/2020

Stay safe everyone! We’ll post another update soon.

And remember to click the purple button below for other great resources—area food banks, tips for staying active and happy while practicing social distancing, and the latest health guidelines.

A Video Message from Kathleen

Chicken Soup

to Get Through

Tough Times

As we find ourselves and our families challenged by the fallout of the Corona Virus pandemic, I want to share a recipe from my family to yours. This recipe for chicken soup is based on the one my Mom made for us when we were growing up, although I have made a few changes over the years. It’s Kimberly’s and my favorite.

1 pack boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 box no sodium chicken stock
1 pack Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Noodles
3 leeks
6 large carrots
6 large ribs celery
1 handful fresh parsley

In a sauté pan, chop chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces and brown in about 2 Tbsp of olive oil. While browning the chicken, clean the celery, carrots and leeks. Chop celery into 2 inch ribs and carrots into one-inch rounds. Halve leeks in three-inch lengths and then halve again. In a stock pot, combine vegetables and chicken stock. Add sautéed chicken. Add salt and pepper to taste. Top with chopped parsley.

Bring all ingredients to a boil. Lower heat until soup is bubbling. Cook for 1 ½-2 hours. About 20-30 minutes prior to mealtime, add ½ to 2/3 of the egg noodles. Bring to a full boil and cook for 20-25 minutes depending on how al dente you like your noodles. Enjoy!