Future Of Indoor Dining, Gyms And Schools Discussed By Lamont

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut still has the "fifth or sixth" lowest coronavirus infection rate in the country, Gov. Ned Lamont reminded reporters at a news conference Monday.

Lamont fielded several pointed questions regarding any potential plans to prohibit indoor dining, close gyms and shutter schools to keep the virus from spreading.

A group of doctors recently wrote a letter to Lamont imploring him to shut down the state as hospitals are being stretched thin amid a second wave of infections.

"Even though it is still early in the second wave, we are already spilling outside our ICUs, calling for extra volunteers, and we are exhausting the supply of advance-practice nurses and medical residents who help us provide the best possible care,” the letter stated, as reported by NBC CT.

But at the news conference, Lamont remained steadfast that he has no plans to shut down indoor dining, gyms or schools.

Lamont said there isn't a need to prohibit indoor dining. He said indoor dining declined by 3 percent from September 2019 to September 2020, an 18 percent decline year over year in October, and a staggering 43 percent decline from November 2019 to November 2020. He said when the coronavirus numbers began to rise in October and November more people decided against indoor dining.

Lamont said restaurants have been working hard to remain open and are clearly nowhere near capacity. He said if Connecticut banned indoor dining it would mean nothing unless adjacent states also joined in.

Lamont did urge residents to order online from restaurants and support their local eateries.

He also noted retail shopping declined 50 percent on Black Friday nationally while online shopping spiked 20 percent. He urged people to buy local, adding businesses "need the help."

Lamont continued to urge residents to keep all gatherings to 10 people or fewer. People over the age of 65 should remain at home as they are the most vulnerable, he said. He also urged residents to work from home if possible.

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Schools update

It's no secret Lamont has been a big supporter of keeping schools open during the pandemic.

Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, joined Lamont at the news conference Monday and said all schools chiefs are doing their best to keep schools open.

"In-person schooling is so effective for all our kids ... especially our youngest kids," Rabinowitz said.

She said teachers are doing a great job and attendance is better when school is in-person opposed to distance learning. She said if schools are forced to close, it's because of a lack of staff and not because the virus is being transmitted in the schools.

Rabinowitz said in-person schooling is also vital in helping to cut down on isolation for youths.

Lamont said if the virus gets worse, he is hoping elementary schools can remain open the longest because pupils in kindergarten through fifth grade learn much better in a classroom than at home.

"I'd fight like heck to keep those schools open as long as they could do it safely," Lamont said of the elementary schools.

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