As Newtown's Health District saw local coronavirus positive cases climb to 64, the community's Human Services Director Natalie Jackson released an updated version of a COVID-19 Resource Guide showcasing a program designed to get food in the hands of the elderly and struggling families that concurrently supports the local restaurant community.

"The Department of Human Services has partnered with the Knights of Columbus and other organizations in town to coordinate efforts together as one team," Jackson said in an e-mail to The Newtown Bee. "Partners include FAITH Food Pantry, Lion's Club, Rotary Club, Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, Chamber of Commerce, Interfaith Council, Real Food Share, FONS (Friends of Newtown Seniors), and Whitsons Culinary Group.

Through the effort, meals and gift cards will be purchased from local restaurants, and groceries will be purchased to stock the shelves of FAITH Food Pantry. Then, food will be delivered to those without means of transportation, or who would be at risk by leaving their homes.

Anyone who would like to volunteer or who knows someone struggling, at risk, or elderly, Jackson asks they contact the Knights of Columbus by sending a private message to coordinator Matthew Rahtelli on Facebook or by calling 203-885-4987.

To view or download the latest Resource Guide click on the link below:

On Tuesday, Governor Ned Lamont's office reported that a total of 13,989 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported statewide, 1,779 patients are currently hospitalized, and there have been 671 COVID-19-associated deaths. Fairfield County continues to lead the state with 6,213 cases and 287 deaths as of April 14, with New Haven County next in line with 3,543 cases and 151 virus-related fatalities.

Among other Fairfield County communities, Stamford has a striking number of positive cases at 1,525, while Norwalk and Danbury are logging counts of 773 and 740 respectively.

The mayors of those latter two cities appeared via remote webcasts as part of Governor Lamont's daily press briefings. Mayor Mark Boughton of Danbury and Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling spent a few moments talking about their experiences after the novel coronavirus began spreading aggressively in their communities after Connecticut's first case was announced six weeks ago this coming Friday by Lamont and Boughton at Danbury Hospital.

"We know way more about COVID than we ever wanted to know - ever," Boughton said, adding that he has been pleased to see how local governments have been working to address pandemic challenges from the front lines.

When Boughton considered what he wished he had known at the early stages of Connecticut's involvement, he replied, "Nobody could have anticipated how contagious this virus is," especially with nursing homes and elderly care facilities. But the Danbury mayor remained steadfast in his support of the suggested May 20 date to consider initiating some relaxing of executive orders that have mandated social distancing and mass business closures and restrictions.

"We can't quit - we want to open, but we want to do it safely," Boughton said. "We can't backslide - we can't go through this mitigation process again."

Touting a strategic partnership between Danbury and neighboring Putnam County, N.Y., Boughton observed that many students and workers come to greater Danbury and Fairfield County from New York, and that to mitigate the virus threat, "we have to work together," he said, adding decisions being made by Gov Lamont and Andrew Cuomo "will make a difference."

Rilling referenced Norwalk's nearly 780 cases, but said it was the community's 36 deaths that "cuts you to the core."

The Norwalk mayor said while numerous retail and grocery stores were drawing customers who were likely infected into his city, countless residents were at the same time traveling to work in New York City. As the virus outbreak spread through Norwalk, Rilling said he initiated "daily meetings to figure out where we are, and what the next step is."

While Rilling said he and his leadership team "had to make difficult decisions," he also fully supported Lamont's call to hold steady on closures and distancing measures until May 20.

"The worst thing we can do is get a false sense of complacency right now," Rilling said, "May 20 is a good date."

Avoiding Political Clashes

Facing some pockets of criticism over that benchmark May 20 date, the governor said he is "trying to work with health care leaders and political leaders."

"I think we have the right balance now," Lamont said. "It would be terrible if we had a second round of this pandemic." That is why Lamont said he has asked the scientific community to speak out, as he talks informally with state legislative leaders.

But he acknowledged, "No question this will get more political."

In the face of questions, including one drawing attention to the political affiliations of Democrat Rilling and Republican Boughton, the Danbury mayor fired back, saying, "There's time for politics later on. This is the time for healing our state. I want to get open, too - but don't want to go to residents and tell them to shelter in place again. We're doing all the right things, but it's what we have to do."

Rilling concurred.

"There's no Republican or Democratic way to deal with this pandemic," the Norwalk mayor said, suggesting critics "put aside differences, listen to each other, and learn from each other."

On a different and more helpful political front, Newtown resident and State Rep Mitch Bolinsky reached out to constituents Tuesday trying to address growing concerns about Advanced Placement (AP) exams.

"The COVID-19 outbreak has drastically altered the way our students are being taught, and I understand that there may be many questions about how standardized tests, including Advanced Placement (AP) exams are to be administered," Rep Bolinsky wrote in his latest outreach e-mail message. "While many of those kinks are continuously being worked out, the College Board, which administers AP tests, has asked me to share the following information."

Exams will be given from May 11-22, with makeup test dates available from June 1-22. Students can take exams at home (online) or in schools, if they reopen, and each subject's exam will be taken on the same day at the same time, worldwide.

Find the full testing schedule by CLICKING HERE

AP Testing Details

Most exams will have one or two free-response questions, and each question will be timed separately. Students will need to write and submit their responses within the allotted time for each question.

Students will be able to take exams on any device they have access to — computer, tablet, or smartphone. They will be able to type and upload their responses or write responses by hand and submit a photo via their cell phones.

For most subjects, the exams will be 45 minutes long, plus an additional five minutes for uploading. Students will need to access the online testing system 30 minutes early to get set up.

Certain courses — Art and Design: 2D; Art and Design: 3D; Computer Science Principles; Drawing; Research; and Seminar — will use portfolio submissions and will not have a separate online exam. All deadlines for these submissions have been extended to May 26 at 11:59 pm ET.

Teachers and students may receive separate course-specific communications. Students taking world language and culture exams will complete two spoken tasks consistent with free-response questions 3 and 4 on the current AP Exam. Written responses will not be required.

With AP tests largely moving to an online format, some low-income students may not have the access to the technology necessary to complete exams. The College Board has created a survey for students with this difficulty and is making arrangements to ensure everybody has equal access to the exams.

To be directed to the survey CLICK HERE

Rep Bolinsky added that the College Board has created a website with frequently asked questions about AP exam administration during the COVID-19 outbreak. To access that site, CLICK HERE

Finally, on Tuesday, Governor Lamont signed another executive order – the 27th since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7Z enacts the following provisions:

*Modification of state contracting statutes to facilitate the emergency procurement of essential goods: Temporarily waives certain requirements related to state contracts in order to expedite the procurement of essential goods and services, including personal protective equipment (PPE), that are needed urgently to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

*In-person attendance requirement suspended for assessment appeals: Allows property owners or their attorney or agent to appear before a board of assessment appeals using remote technology instead of in person.

*Suspension of requirements for security officer license: Authorizes the commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to waive licensing requirements to temporarily allow security services or businesses to employ security officers who are not licensed in Connecticut but are licensed in another state, to address a shortage of available security officers. This applies only to unarmed security officers.

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 211 for assistance. The hotline and corresponding website is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance and TDD/TTY access.

The Newtown Bee is continuing to provide and mirror information and messages coming from local and state agencies on a daily and sometimes hourly basis. Newtown residents can get more details by visiting:

*Town of Newtown COVID-19 web page - CLICK HERE

*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CLICK HERE

*World Health Organization - CLICK HERE

Residents can also review all prior COVID-19 updates and follow the newspaper’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages for breaking local and state reports.

Please check in regularly, share, and follow the newspaper’s hyperlocal coverage at newtownbee.com through the remainder of this public health emergency.