CT Coronavirus Updates: Masks Mandated By Lamont, 197 New Deaths

HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut announced another 197 coronavirus-related deaths Wednesday along with 766 new cases. Gov. Ned Lamont also announced that he will issue an executive order mandating the use of masks in some circumstances. The governor wore a black face mask around his neck during Wednesday’s daily news conference.

State COO Josh Geballe said the high death toll was due to a catch-up period of processing data over the past two weeks. Part of that was due to a backlog from the Office of the State Medical Examiner. A breakdown of recent deaths within the past 24 hours wasn’t available.

Lamont noted that new hospital admissions in Fairfield County is going up as fast as ever.

An executive order within the next 48 hours will spell out exactly when masks should be used, Lamont said. For the most part it will be mandatory for employees in stores, he said. It will also become necessary when social distancing becomes impossible, such as in a crowded store or park, he said.

“It’s not a fashion statement, but if you are walking around and you need a little space … put on your mask,” Lamont said.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also announced a similar mask measure. New Yorkers will need to wear masks when unable to practice social distancing.

For regular people on the street or at a supermarket a homemade cloth mask using a T-shirt or bandana will do, Geballe said. Surgical and N-95 masks should be reserved for health care workers. Geballe said the CDC website has many tips on how to make an effective homemade mask.

"I think this is the way we are going to get this virus behind us sooner and make sure we can get everyone back to work as soon as we can," Lamont said.

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Lamont’s thinking on closing parks, certain stores

Lamont noted that Michigan has large gridlock protests Tuesday due to the coronavirus shutdown. The state shut down sections of big-box stores that sell gardening and home improvement materials. Lamont said he watched some of the protest and saw a sign that said people in the state could smoke grass (marijuana), but not cut their own; he noted the opposite is true in Connecticut, at least for recreational marijuana use.

The governor talked to members of the state Black and Puerto Rican Caucus recently and said he was reminded of the difficulties of social distancing with large families in small apartments. It was one of the reasons he decided to keep state parks open, he said. One of his previous executive orders limits the number of visitors to state parks when parking reaches capacity.

“People still need to be able to take a walk at a safe distance,” he said.

He also said that in the future he may encourage local leaders to shut down certain roads to automobile traffic to make social distancing easier when walking.

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This article originally appeared on the Across Connecticut Patch