Last month, Connecticut’s governor issued stay-at-home orders, and many people aren’t exactly sure what that entails. Countless businesses have temporarily shut their doors in an effort to flatten the curve and protect their community, including your dentist in Granby, CT. Many people are wondering: “How long will this last?”, and “What am I allowed to do while these orders are in place?” Read on to learn more about Connecticut’s stay-at-home orders and how they’ll impact your daily life.
What is COVID-19?
According to the CDC, COVID-19 is a virus that can be spread from person to person via droplet transfer (think, when you sneeze or cough). It can affect people differently depending on their age and any pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, and various immune-compromising diseases. A person can become infected when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or the non-infected person comes into contact with these droplets on hard shared surfaces, such as door handles and countertops. When these droplets are transferred to the mucous membrane (eyes, nose, and mouth) of the healthy individual, they can infect them and progress to cause a range of mild to severe symptoms.
How Is Connecticut Addressing COVID-19?
Last month, Connecticut’s Governor Ned Lamont issued a state-wide shelter-in-place order in accordance with the CDC’s recommendations to social distance and avoid in-person contact to help control and limit the spread of COVID-19. This is in response to the rising numbers of infections and deaths due to the virus. The orders stated the closure of all “non-essential” businesses.
What Services Can You Seek Out During The Stay-At-Home Order?
Some state’s definitions of the term “non-essential” have varied, leading communities to wonder what exactly they’re allowed to do. In Connecticut, Gov. Lamont has ordered the closure of schools, malls, theaters, gyms, bars, and in-person dining at restaurants, among other businesses. Other businesses, like dentists in Granby, CT have also temporarily closed their doors and postponed all treatments and procedures in an effort to keep their staff and patients safe. Here are some businesses that remain open during the shelter-in-place order:
- Public health services and emergency care.
- Any clinic or practice offering health care.
- Infrastructure such as airports, hotels, water and wastewater operations, and telecom centers.
- Manufacturing and corresponding supply chains.
- Retail, including convenience stores, gas stations, guns and ammo stores, pet stores, pharmacies, liquor stores, hardware and paint stores.
- Food and agriculture-related businesses.
- Services, including automotive care, child care, and funeral homes.
- Construction.
These are only a few of the businesses that are considered “essential”. For a complete list, you can view the Governor’s official response here.
How Long is Quarantine Expected To Last?
As of now, officials are unsure as to how long quarantine could last. However, the shelter-in-place order in Connecticut has just been extended until the end of May. At this time, businesses are planning to reopen their doors by the 20th, so you can expect to be able to handle all preventive care and basic day-to-day tasks at that time.
About the Author
Dr. Gunveen Chawla is passionate about providing her patients with the tools and knowledge they need to maintain healthy and happy smiles. That’s why she places an emphasis on providing high-quality preventive dental care. During the COVID-19 crisis, Salmon Brook Dental will be closed. However, the practice is planning to reopen as soon as the shelter-in-place orders are lifted on May 20, 2020. For questions or to schedule an appointment for a checkup and cleaning, you can visit our website or call 860-653-4551.