In-Person Classes Cancelled For This Year And New Numbers On COVID-19

This would normally be the time of year when high school seniors are focused on things like prom, graduation, and saying goodbye to lifelong classmates. Not this year. 

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Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Twitter this morning that “in-person classes at K-12 schools in Connecticut will remain canceled for the rest of the academic year.”

Lamont is scheduled to be joined at today’s briefing by Miguel Cardona, the state’s education commissioner, and Beth Bye, the commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood. It is slated to start at 4:00 p.m.

Here’s the latest on the coronavirus in Connecticut...

By The Numbers

All numbers are as of May 4 at 6:30 p.m.

• 2,556 COVID-19-associated deaths
• 29,973 confirmed cases
  • Fairfield County: 12,245
  • New Haven County: 8,110
  • Hartford County: 6,173
  • Litchfield County: 1,047
  • Middlesex County: 713
  • New London County: 641
  • Tolland County: 464
  • Windham County: 217
  • Pending address validation: 363
• More than 105,330 people tested

The Latest

• As mentioned at the top, all public school buildings in Connecticut will remain closed through the end of the academic year. The governor’s office says Lamont will sign the executive order soon. The administration also offered updates on other school-related issues. It says public schools in the state have served more than four million meals to students during the pandemic. Statewide, 130 school districts are serving meals. Also, the state government continues to work on distributing laptops and book packs to students. The first round of laptops to be issued, 17,000 of 60,000 total, is expected to go out at the end of the month.
• The number of hospitalizations from COVID-19 has dropped for the 12th consecutive day. Lamont is still focused on getting some businesses reopened on May 20. State Sen. Saud Anwar, who is also a doctor, is urging leaders to base reopening plans “on science and not emotion.”
• Local food banks are competing for supplies and food, just like states have been competing for medical equipment. The state’s agriculture commissioner, Bryan Hurlburt said organizations were outbidding each other for food, “and that can’t be the solution,” he said. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal is calling on the federal government to coordinate food security issues.

Other Reads On The Coronavirus

• You’re Stronger Than Your Quarantine Fatigue - Syon Bhanot for The New York Times
• How Cities Are Taking Advantage of the Coronavirus Shutdowns - Russell Berman for The Atlantic
• 6 Ways College Might Look Different In The Fall - Elissa Nadworny for NPR

Muppet Quarantine

Once again, the Muppets continue to come through during the quarantine. Sesame Street has been producing content for kids about virtual playdates and social distancing.

In the same realm, Kermit the Frog is quarantining in his swamp and he recently performed “Rainbow Connection.”

Stay safe. Stay sane. Stay distant.