Political Quotes

“This morning, I wanted to share with the Chamber the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Health and Human Services regarding infection rates and vaccination rates in the country. I am proud to say, the State of Connecticut, which the Speaker knows well, we ranked as the lowest infection rate in the country, 1.4 percent, 14 cases per 100,000. Simultaneous with that report were the numbers regarding vaccination rates. For the population 18 and over, we are at an 80 percent vaccination rate, which, again, is the highest in the country. It is blindingly obvious there is a causal connection between communities that come together to boost vaccination rates and the benefit and the result of reducing infection rates. The benefit, in terms of our hospital system in the State of Connecticut, again, we have 9 per 100,000 COVID patients, which ranks number three in the country, right behind Vermont and the State of Massachusetts, which are 7 per 100,000 and 8 per 100,000. What does that mean? It means there is no pressure on your ICU units. There is allowance for normal elective surgeries and the processes of hospitals to continue, which is the endgame of what we all should be focused on like a laser, which is to get beyond this pandemic. It didn't happen by itself. Anecdotally, in my district, I was over at the Coast Guard Academy the other day: a 99 percent vaccination rate with the student body at the Coast Guard Academy.…”