First Selectman: Vaccine Update; Links to Register
1/27 Press Release from Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe
The State of Connecticut is currently scheduling and vaccinating those who are 75 and older as a part of the vaccine rollout phase 1b. Individuals between the ages of 65 and 74 are next in line for eligibility and information will be posted on the Westport Weston Health District (WWHD) website when the state opens up clinics to this group. More information for frontline essential workers and individuals with underlying medical conditions with increased risk for severe illness will be forthcoming.
Many Westporters are eager to get their vaccines. Some have registered themselves into the CDC's Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS), scheduled their appointments and have received first and, in some cases, second vaccine doses. Others have found technical challenges, a lack of information and guidance or difficulties getting their first or second doses scheduled. Currently, vaccination dates are not being scheduled sooner than three-weeks out. The process is moving slowly and as a result, frustrations are high.
Additionally, the supply of vaccines is simply not keeping up with the demand. There is a total of 1.3 million Connecticut residents who are eligible for the vaccine during Phase 1b. The state must ration the 46,000 doses it receives each week. At this rate, it will take months before all the eligible residents are vaccinated. Simply stated, there is a national vaccine shortage and it is impacting us locally.
The WWHD staff have been consistently ordering more vaccines than it is receiving. The WWHD runs up to three vaccine clinics per week at varying locations: WWHD on Bayberry Lane, the Westport Center for Senior Activities, the Weston Senior Center, and the Easton Senior Center. The WWHD has a limited supply of vaccines and advises that eligible Westporters not wait for an appointment at a Westport clinic. Rather, go to the first available appointment and plan to schedule your second vaccine immediately after. The State’s 2-1-1 line now includes a public vaccine clinic directory to search for local clinics.
We are aware that some have found success bypassing VAMS and registering through hospital portals in the surrounding cities. These third party VAMS sites appear to be more direct and do not require waiting for confirmation emails and codes. For links to some local participating vaccination centers, please see further below.
We are also aware that some residents do not have the mobility to obtain a vaccine in another nearby community or might not be able to leave their homes. Once supplies are available, the town is planning for a larger-scale local vaccination site as well as a travelling clinic to those who are most vulnerable and homebound. The State’s long-term distribution plan focuses on five or six large mega-vaccination clinics set up across the state and with neighborhood CVS/Walgreens pharmacies being a potential local option. However, there are multiple challenges with distribution, administration and the vaccine supply itself that must be overcome at the state and federal levels first.
Please keep in mind that neither the Westport Department of Human Services nor the Westport Center for Senior Activities has access to the VAMS portal, nor can they schedule a vaccination on a resident’s behalf. Human Services staff is working diligently to answer questions and offer resources to help. Ultimately, the State's official helpline (dial 2-1-1) is the best option for registration by phone or to have your technical questions answered.
Do not be discouraged as the inevitable complications and delays occur. Your patience is needed during these trying times. Please remember to continue to wear a face covering, social distance and maintain good hygiene.
For more information on the vaccine in Westport, visit www.westportct.gov/vaccine or print Westport’s Vaccination Tip Sheet here: https://www.westportct.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=37255
For information on the WWHD’s plans to schedule and conduct vaccinations, go to www.wwhd.org
The State of Connecticut’s vaccine information site can be found here: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Vaccination---75-and-older
Third Party VAMS Sites:
Stamford Hospital: https://www.stamfordhealth.org/covid-19-update/covid-19-vaccination-information/
UConn Health: https://health.uconn.edu/coronavirus/covid-vaccine/
Yale New Haven Health: https://www.ynhhs.org/patient-care/covid-19/vaccine/get-your-covid-vaccine.aspx OR call the Yale COVID Hotline 1-833-275-9644
Hartford Health: https://hartfordhealthcare.org/health-wellness/covid-vaccine
Peter’s Weston Market Announces Closing; Although Busy Yesterday, “It’s just too late”
A sign thanks Peters Market yesterday as news broke of their permanent closing. The deli was busy yesterday as many rushed to order their last Dirty Bird sandwich. According to a social media post yesterday, Peter’s Weston Market (190 Weston Road) will be closing their doors this weekend after 49 years in business, serving generations of Weston residents and Northern-Westport residents. Staff members, longtime customers, and volunteers were emotional when discussing the news; “this is the community” one person said while pointing at the staff behind the deli counter.
Owners cited a decline in income and increase in costs, saying “Over the past 5 years our sales have declined 10% annually though expenses have increased” through a Facebook post. In a last ditch effort to save the family-owned business, owners created a GoFundMe campaign on April 2nd, 2020 - one month after businesses around the world were shuttered due to the unknown of COVID-19.
As a community card was put up outside the store, “Thank You, Peters” wrote Weston fourth grader Sean Wallace. located across the street from the Weston schools, the market was a popular after-school spot for many of the town’s youngest residents. The GoFundMe garnered over $120,000 in donations from community members and longtime customers, which were instrumental in keeping the employees paid and the market operational when doors could open once again. However after several years of financial hardship, the pandemic was the final nail in the coffin as the supermarket had fallen behind in financial responsibilities, and was left without anymore options. “Some of these employees have been here for over twenty years - where will they go? He [owner Jim Magee] loves them and has always taken care of them.” Another said as they prepared orders.
In a world dominated by contactless, hyper efficient, and autonomous shopping - Peter’s Weston Market appears to be yet another victim to the growing popularity of online shopping. This is not the first business to close in Weston Center due to increase in online competition; Weston Hardware & Housewares, just across the parking lot from Peter’s, closed nearly two years ago. From behind the register amid a closing sale, the owner said then “People want quicker. We can’t compete anymore.” The storefront now serves as a fitness studio.
The small town-centered market will leave a large hole in the community, “Everybody wants things a few cents cheaper, but they’ll never get this” a volunteer said. Over one hundred people shared their upset through comments on social media, one Facebook comment described their remembrance of the little details of the quirky store, commenting “All those Thanksgiving turkeys ordered in the notebook with the curled pages and ink splattered notes will be remembered with love.” Others thanked the owners for their support of the community’s foodbank, or for serving their families through power outages or major storms, and for giving local kids jobs in a town with very few options. “Peter’s was part of the fabric of Weston. No matter what gets replaced in the future (if anything), there will still be a piece missing and missed.”
It’s unknown what will replace the market, but it’s well known that their staff, food, and even the curled pages of their notebooks will all be missed dearly come Monday morning. The store was packed yesterday as news of the closing broke, “but it’s just too late” a staff member said with tears in their eyes.
Westport Cumulative COVID-19 Cases Up 16; Deaths Unchanged; State Positivity Rate 4.40%
The Westport-Weston Health District reports that Westport has added 16 positive or probable COVID-19 cases, and has added 0 new deaths.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 1,228 cases. Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 26 deaths.
State Daily Test Positivity: 4.40%