Superintendent: 3 News Cases in 3 Schools
According to Westport Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice:
“Dear Westport Families and Staff,
In our efforts to remain transparent with reports of positive Covid-19 cases associated with our schools, we will continue to provide these updates as information is confirmed. As of the time I am writing to you this evening we have 3 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 that came in last night after my Sunday afternoon message. The reports came from the following schools:
Saugatuck Elementary School - 1
Bedford Middle School - 1
Staples High School - 1
No additional cases were reported today. Those impacted have been notified by school and District officials. As a reminder, families are asked to report positive of COVID-19 cases of students using our reporting voicemail or email regardless of whether the students are in remote or hybrid models of instruction. Please follow this link for more information on reporting.
Respectfully,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools”
Ahead of the Holidays: Dr. Gottlieb Discusses COVID-19 Peak, Mutation; State Updates Travel Guidelines
Dr. Scott Gottlieb was interviewed from Westport on Sunday by Face the Nation, as shown by Westport’s Rye Ridge Deli.
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former FDA Commissioner and current Pfizer Board Member, was virtually interviewed from Westport on Sunday, 12/21/20, on CBS’ Face the Nation. Dr. Gottlieb, a Westport resident, discussed the predicted spike in cases after the holidays and a mutation currently making headlines in London as the United Kingdom locks-down right before Christmas.
Host Margaret Brennan began the question & answer session by asking Dr. Gottlieb what part the holidays may play in the forecasted strain on the system, saying “the CDC is predicting about 75,000 more deaths during the first week of January.” “We'll see it coming out of this holiday.” Gottlieb answered, adding that “It does seem to be the case that we're on track probably to peak in terms of the number of infections somewhere around the first week in January.” but continued to explain that the hospitalizations and deaths may not peak or another three weeks after the peak number of cases due to a delay in hospitalizations and deaths once infected.
The most recent CDC National Ensemble Forecast of Deaths states that “15,800 to 27,700 new deaths likely to be reported in the week ending January 9, 2021.” (CDC.gov)
Gottlieb also reflected back to the 2020 Thanksgiving holiday, which according to the Associated Press, “the 3 million who went through U.S. airport checkpoints from Friday through Sunday [prior to Thanksgiving] marked the biggest crowds since mid-March, when the COVID-19 crisis took hold in the United States.” (DEE-ANN DURBIN, DAVID KOENIG, Associated Press) According to Gottlieb, the Thanksgiving holiday did cause a spike in cases around the US - citing state-by-state analysis that there was “…anywhere between a 10% to a 40% increase in cases off of the baseline...” He explains that this could have been caused by “…the sheer magnitude of the virus building…” but further explains that “…some of that was a consequence of the gatherings as well, which potentiated more spread…”(Dr. Scott Gottlieb, Face the Nation 12/20/20)
When asked about a coronavirus mutation causing panic in the United Kingdom, Gottlieb said “Well, it's probably not more lethal [than the current coronavirus strain], but we don't fully understand its contours.” and continued to explain that the mutation seems “…more contagious. It doesn't seem to be any more virulent, any more dangerous than run of the mill COVID.” (Face the Nation). Susan Hopkins of Public Health England confirmed to the the BBC that data collected on the mutation shows it is 70% more contagious than the current strain (BBC). London, and much of the United Kingdom, has been placed on a lockdown - with non-essential businesses closing their doors, and protocols that mandate only one member of the household is permitted to visit with any person outside of their household, so long as its outdoors. It’s assumed this was designed to allow citizens to continue to care for ill or aging family members, or to deliver gifts for what will be a very different Christmas for Brits. "Given the early evidence we have on this new variant of the virus — the potential risk it poses — it is with a very heavy heart I must tell you we cannot continue with Christmas as planned,” Boris Johnson made in a statement to the country (NPR).
Coinciding the vaccines being rolled out to the nearby area - as near and as recent as Norwalk Hospital employees reportedly being vaccinated against COVID-19 today - Gottlieb ended his interview with the statement that “we should be leaning forward and trying to get as much vaccine out as possible.”
The State of Connecticut updated its travel advisory guidelines over the weekend ahead of the upcoming holidays. The new guidelines state: “Anyone traveling into Connecticut from a state or territory, other than New York, New Jersey, or Rhode Island, or from a country other than the United States, is directed to self-quarantine for a 10-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state or country.” This 10 day quarantine is for all adults and children, but can be avoided “if the Affected Traveler (1) has had a test for COVID-19 in the seventy-two (72) hours prior to arrival in Connecticut or at any time following arrival in Connecticut, (2) the result of such COVID-19 test is negative, and (3) he or she has provided written proof of such negative test result to the Commissioner of Public Health.”
sources:
CBS’ Face the Nation, BBC's Andrew Marr Show, The Associated Press, NPR, State of Connecticut, CDC.gov
Historic Home Weathers 83rd Winter - Beautifully
The historic Patrick Goetz home, located in the Downtown area, looks to have weathered the current snow beautifully. The home is registered with the Westport Historical Society, now Westport Museum for History & Culture, and was built in 1937 - making 2020 its 83rd New England Winter.
Earthplace Shines Light with Family Campfire Tonight
One of Earthplace’s animal ambassadors, a rescued barred owl named Moody, who has called Earthplace home since 2013. Photo by Jaime Bairaktaris, December 2016
According to Earthplace, the local non-profit will be hosting a family campfire tonight in honor of the Winter Solstice - the shortest, darkest day of the year. They will light a yule log and invite members of the public to make s’mores and homemade candles at their sanctuary’s pine grove. Families will also have the chance to enjoy a guided nature walk through the property, and meet some of the center’s nocturnal animal ambassadors.
The event will be held at their 10 Woodside Lane sanctuary, starts at 4:30 PM, and is $25 per family (members), $30 per family (public). Phone registration is required: 203-557-4400.
Social distancing and health safety protocols will be followed - each family will be assigned their own picnic table and set of s’mores materials, and must bring or forage for their own marshmallow sticks.
Earthplace is a non-profit nature center and preschool that sits in the middle of over 62 acres of nature trails, brooks, ponds, and forest at 10 Woodside Lane. The center has over 50 wildlife ambassadors, from Bald Eagles to Box Turtles, and has been a cornerstone of the Westport community since its foundation in 1958 (then the Westport Nature Center). The building is currently closed to visitors, however the trails and outdoor exhibits are open to the public from dawn until dusk every day.