Chester's First Selectwoman Writes To The Community

CHESTER, CT — A letter to the community from Chester's First Selectwoman Lauren Gister:

Dear Chester,

First, a huge thank you to Joey Chester and Abe Smith for clearing the snow off of Jennings Pond to create great skating for everyone! Nice to see everyone outside having fun!

President Biden put it in the starkest of terms last night, noting that the 500,000 COVID-related fatalities was more death this nation has experienced than World War I, WWII, and Vietnam combined. This has been a difficult year for many, but most of all for those who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus. Let's hope that, with vaccines and our careful actions going forward, we will see fewer deaths and regain some semblance of normalcy (whatever that will really look like) in the very near future.

As of Monday, the vaccination clinic run by our health district (CRAHD), had administered 6053 vaccines, about 3/4 of them 1st doses. The number of vaccines they are receiving is growing, to 700 this week, although this is still far below the number requested. Each week it appears that more vaccines are being made available and the number bumps up gradually. CRAHD personnel are working non-stop to keep us healthy - kudos to them for all of their hard work!

Governor Lamont has announced that Connecticut will continue with a mostly aged-based approach regarding eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccines. Starting March 1, the eligibility will be expanded to people between 55 to 64 years old. The planned opening to additional age groups is:

March 22, 2021: Expands to age group 45 to 54
April 12, 2021: Expands to age group 35 to 44
May 3, 2021: Expands to age group 16 to 34

In addition, preK-12 school staff and teachers, and professional childcare providers will be eligible to receive the vaccine as of March 1st. They will receive the vaccine at dedicated clinics, including our own health district clinic in Old Saybrook.

Educators and childcare professionals will receive more information from their school administrators and employers on when their dedicated clinics will be occuring. To learn more: https://portal.ct.gov/.../Governor-Lamont-Announces...

Be well,

Lauren