Coronavirus Update-Thank You, Rules Apply to Everyone, Limited Data & Contest Winners
May 3rd–Today is eight weeks since Wilton’s first Coronavirus case was reported. I would like to thank the residents, who are following the Governor’s order and are putting community first. I would also like to thank the residents who are spending countless hours volunteering, whether making masks and face shields, calling seniors, delivering food to home bound residents, health care workers and emergency personnel and to those of you who have donated to fund those deliveries or have donated to the efforts or the food pantry. Lastly, I would like to thank our residents and employees, who are on the front lines of this virus.
Now, I want to address the minority of Wilton residents, who don’t think the rules apply to them. Those who think it is okay to ignore the Governor’s order that there should not be any gathering of more than 5 people. Those who think they don’t need to wear a mask in public, even though they don’t qualify for the exemption of those for whom the mask creates a health problem. Those who wait for the taxpayer funded field monitors to finish up for the day and then promptly trespass onto the closed fields. Well folks, the rules apply to you and your family members too.
By not following the rules you are prolonging the economic and health crisis. You are putting the rest of us at risk. You are extending the time that the rest of us have to wear masks and not see our family members and friends. And you are wasting your fellow taxpayers’ money. A proposal to partially open tennis courts and fields will cost taxpayers over $60,000, because you or your child don't follow the rules.
We don’t want to begin arresting people as is being done in other municipalities. This is a highly contagious virus. Take it seriously, be a role model for your children, that is your job. Just as it is my job and that of Wilton’s emergency responders, to ensure the safety of all Wilton residents, even you and your family.
CT DPH is transitioning this weekend to a new process for the collection of data. Their report issued today only contains data on hospitalizations and death. Regular reporting will resume tomorrow.
Today, CT DPH reports hospitalized patients dropped for the 11th day in a row both statewide and in Fairfield County. Statewide is down 63 to 1488 and Fairfield County is down 11 to 514.
Congratulations to this week’s Eat Local, Win Local winners: Eliza Doolittle, Jim Garberding, Soo Young Lee, and Libby Sauter. My assistant, Jackie, will be contacting you by email so we can send you your prize. Thank you to everyone for continuing to support Wilton restaurants. Another week's contest begins tonight.
The Board of Selectmen is meeting tomorrow night (Monday) to discuss revised budgets for FY2021. The agenda and supporting documents are available on the town website under minutes and agendas.
The Governor has not issued an executive order today.
As always, if you have any questions, please email the appropriate town department or me at lynne.vanderslice@wiltonct.org.
Thank you,
Lynne Vanderslice
First Selectwoman
What should you do to stop the spread?
- Stay home.
- Maintain a distance of 6 feet between you and another person. This standard applies whether inside or outside.
- Wear a mask when in public.
- Respect the Governor’s prohibition on social or recreational gatherings of more than 5 people, including leisure gatherings.
- Consolidate your shopping and errands to minimize the numbers of days you must leave your home. If the store parking lot is more than half full, return home and shop at another time.
- Take advantage of the delivery options offered by many Wilton businesses.
- Practice your team sport on your own, not with your teammates. The internet is full of videos and suggestions on how to do this.
- Do walk outside. If your street is walkable, please consider walking there rather than a public trail. When the NRVT parking lot, or that of another trail, is more than 50% full, please find another place to walk. There are 127 miles of town-owned roads, more than 80 private roads and more than 3 miles of sidewalk on state-owned roads.
- Please respect the town’s closure of fields and recreation facilities.
Visual of Connecticut Cases by Town