Resources for Library Patrons regarding the Corona Virus (COVID-19)
- Important Vaccination Information from the Town of Essex
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
- State and Local Information
- Masks and Hand Washing Information
- Health and Safety
- Public Health Organizations
- Children and Coronavirus
- Travel Information
Important Vaccination Information
“FEBRUARY 11, 2021 – SPECIAL ISSUE FROM THE TOWN OF ESSEX
COVID-19 VACCINATIONS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE 65 YEARS OLD AND OLDER
Eligibility to receive COVID-19 Vaccine is expanded to include those who are 65 years old and older.
CT is rolling out COVID-19 vaccine in phases based on specific eligibility requirements.
https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccinations—faqs
There are several ways to get a vaccine and ALL require an appointment and many require an email address for each person registering for vaccine:
-
- Register using the Vaccination Administration Management System (VAMS*).
- This process takes several days so start it today.
- Thousands of doses are available across the state.
- Locally, the Old Saybrook mass vaccination clinic gets approx. 500 doses per week so keep checking their appointment slots in VAMS
- Register with any of the 5 Nutmeg Pharmacy locations https://www.nutmegpharmacy.com/…/covid-19-vaccine…/form.
- They receive limited doses each week so their time slots fill up quickly.
- If you are 65+, register online now to get on their list.
- Register with CVS or Walgreens Pharmacies
- Only limited number of locations are currently taking appointments – Waterford & Guilford are currently the closest locations
- If you are 65+, register online to get on their list.
- Reach out to your Healthcare System to register at one of their vaccination locations.
Examples Include: Yale-New Haven Health, Middlesex Health, UConn Health, Hartford Healthcare, Veteran Affairs, or others.
- Register using the Vaccination Administration Management System (VAMS*).
If you need assistance registering for Vaccine:
- Call your Local Health Dept, Local Social Services Director
- Call the Vaccine Appointment Assistance Line (VAAL) at 877-918-2224
- Call 211-United Way
Currently, most people register for their vaccination appointment using the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS) because it shows the many, many locations and time slots available across the state, and locally at the Old Saybrook mass vaccination clinic.
VAMS also allows you to schedule your 2nd dose and any of the available clinics. NOTE: Registering in VAMS takes several days because of the email and eligibility verification steps so it is important that you start the process today.
Getting Started in VAMS
- To activate an account in VAMS go to https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/OnlineVaccine
- You will receive a registration email from no-reply@mail.vams.cdc.gov
- Click the registration link in the email – This is a time sensitive email and link.
- Follow the steps to create your account.
VAMS will provide you with the most opportunities to schedule an appointment for your vaccine. It is critical that you check your spam & junk email folders to look for the emails from DPH and no-reply@mail.vams.cdc.gov.
For more info and Frequently Asked Questions: https://portal.ct.gov/Corona…/COVID-19-Vaccinations—FAQs
Please continue to help others (especially those who are 75+) register for vaccine.”
Additional Vaccine Information
- COVID Vaccines and Safety: What the Research Says (Nature.com)
- Vacinefinder.org – Vaccine Finder is a free, online service where users can search for locations that offer vaccinations.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Resources and information on the COVID-19 pandemic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other government agencies. Includes information on how to protect yourself and others.
- Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic (World Health Organization)
- Coronavirus Advice for Public (World Health Organization)
Information from the Town of Essex
- https://www.essexct.gov/ – Click the “Health Alerts” tab for links to CDC and Department of Public Health Guidance
- SaferEssex Emergency Alert Signup
Limit Private Gatherings to Less Than 10 People
(From Town of Essex, 3/19/2020)
This is Lisa Fasulo, Health Director for the Town of Essex.
Effective immediately, in order to stop the spread of Coronavirus, private events such as dinner parties and/or any social gatherings greater than 10 people are strongly discouraged.
I understand this is an extraordinary step, but we need to keep everyone safe from the spread of this virus. We must all work at minimizing the health risks to ourselves, to others, and to our community.
People of all ages are becoming ill and are dying, so we ask that you adhere to strict Social Distancing by staying at least 6 feet away from others when out in public and limiting your private gatherings to less than 10 people.
- Remember to continue to wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer,
- Clean and sanitize common-contact surfaces,
- Cover your cough, and
- most importantly, Stay Home if you are Sick!
We will get through this, but it will take each one of us to do our part for the benefit of our entire community.
Ways to Prepare for CoronaVirus Outbreak (from the Town of Essex)
- Mitigation of Community Transmission – This is typically done by increasing personal behaviors which limit the spread of communicable diseases caused by virus/bacteria/germs. Hand washing, staying home when ill, practice social distancing, seeking medical care when needed. No travel to areas where the virus is prevalent.
- Preparing your family and household contacts for extended isolation (14-days or more). – This is done by having food, medication, water, toiletries, and other essentials stocked in the home prior to anyone becoming ill. People should NOT rely on home delivery services such as PeaPod, Amazon, GrubHub, Library books, Pharmaceutical products, etc. because these options may be limited if the drivers and staff in their warehouses are also ill and have to be home for 14-days.
- Preparing business for prolonged employee absences. – Encourage all businesses to plan how they will operate with limited staff & employees. This will be critical for businesses that provide essential services such as home heating oil delivery, grocery stores, gas stations, daycares, senior living facilities/senior services, etc. It is critically important for Restaurants to exclude ill food-service workers. Even office-type businesses (accountants, realtors, cable/internet customer services, etc.) must plan how they will still serve their customers with limited employees to manage service calls or day-to-day operations.
- Knowing what to do if flu-like symptoms arise. – Unless it’s a true emergency, people who develop flu-like symptoms should NOT go to their physician or walk-in clinic without FIRST CALLING the office to notify the physicians. The physician’s office may be short-staffed (because staff is home ill) or there may be updated State protocols with instructions on where to go for proper medical care. Again these protocols will change as the rate of illness changes.
Information from the State of Connecticut
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Connecticut Emergency Alerting and Notification Systems
- Travel Advisory for Connecticut During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Connecticut Law about Quarantine
- Guidance from the Connecticut Department of Labor regarding layoffs and furloughs
- Emergency Orders Issued by the Governor and State of Connecticut
Masks and Hand Washing Information
- Hand Washing (From the CDC)
Health and Safety
Connecticut State Department of Public Health: Emergency Preparedness Checklist
- Coronavirus: The Fake Health Advice You Should Ignore (BBC)
- I Practiced Social Distancing Before Coronavirus. It Works. (New York Times)
- Why outbreaks like coronavirus spreak exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve” (Washington Post)
- The New Coronavirus Can Live On Surfaces For 2-3 Days (NPR)
- To Stop Coronavirus In Its Tracks, Here’s Your Guide To 5 Degrees Of Separation (KHN)
- Resources for People with Disabilities on COVID-19 (American Association of Health and Disability)
- COV-19 Resources (National Federation of the Blind)
Mental Health
Children and Coronavirus
- Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (Child Mind Institute)
- How to Talk To Your Kids About Corona Virus (New York Times)
- Talking to Kids About the Corona Virus (Child Mind Institute)
- What Kids Want To Know About Coronavirus: An Original Comic : Goats and Soda (National Public Radio)
- 10 Questions Parents May Have About Coronavirus (New York Times)
- Education Dept. Makes Changes To Standardized Tests, Student Loans Over Coronavirus (National Public Radio)
Travel Information
- Travel Advisories (US Department of State)
- How to Disinfect Your Space on an Airplane (New York Times)