Standing with her legislative colleagues in the bipartisan Women’s Caucus in front of the State Capitol with Gov. Ned Lamont at a press conference, state Rep. Kathy Kennedy (R-119) and the group discussed their work and findings on how COVID-19 has impacted nursing homes residents, their families and the frontline healthcare workers across the state.
The bipartisan group of female lawmakers are keen on making sure all necessary steps are taken to prevent future outbreaks of COVID-19 or other viruses.
Two weeks ago, as a member of the Public Health Committee, Kennedy signed a letter with other Republican members of the committee to the governor asking that a small group be appointed to evaluate these and related issues that would include a member from the Department of Public Health, several legislators, a representative from the skilled nursing facility community, several caregivers and a member of the public. This group’s goals would be to quickly assess what the state has done correctly, incorrectly or incompletely to minimize further illness and loss of life.
“As a member of the Public Health Committee, and a community with some nursing homes that had loss of life due to the spread of COVID-19, I have taken this situation very seriously and stand ready to assist in any manner asked,” Kennedy said. “All loss of life is tragic, but statistics establish greater than two-thirds of Connecticut deaths from the virus have occurred in these facilities. All appropriate health and safety protocols must be utilized so no further spread of this deadly virus or a future virus will cost human life.”
The legislators unveiled steps that should be analyzed:
Last week, Lamont ordered an outside review of how the COVID-19 pandemic has been handled in nursing homes and assisted living facilities with more than 2,800 of the COVID-19 deaths happening at these facilities.