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THOMPSON — Post-graduate Bronagh Power-Cassidy of Dublin, Ireland, signed her National Letter of Intent on May 1 to play basketball for the College of the Holy Cross.
Power-Cassidy previously attended Holy Faith Secondary School Clontarf in Dublin, Ireland. During her season with Marianapolis, she averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks, and 3 steals per game. She had a 73 percentage from the free throw line, and 40 percentage from the 3-point line. Power-Cassidy was named a co-captain of the Marianapolis girls’ varsity team, helping the team become semi-finalists in the NEPSAC Class A championship.
“I grew up playing basketball. I’ve played since I was 6 years old, playing out in the back garden with my older sister and my dad and for our local club team,” she said. “Normally I play a shooting guard or small forward, but I’ve tried to develop my game to be versatile enough to play wherever my coach or team needs me to.”
Power-Cassidy said she decided to sign with Holy Cross because of the college’s tight-knit community, saying: “Anytime I visited the campus, I could just feel how special a place and how warm an environment it was. Paired with the chance to receive an amazing education and the opportunity to play with a great team, Holy Cross really felt like the right fit for me.”
Marianapolis girls’ varsity basketball head coach Kirsty Leedham said: “I am so excited for Bronagh to take this huge step in her career and officially sign as a Holy Cross Crusader. Since Bronagh stepped foot onto Marianapolis’ campus, she became a leader both on and off the court. It was a pleasure to not only watch Bronagh grow as a player, but to watch her motivate her teammates to grow alongside her. She is a very special player in that she gives 100 percent to every play, every practice, every game, and every person. I have full confidence that Bronagh is going to have a phenomenal career at Holy Cross, and I think I speak for all of the Marianapolis community when I say I am excited that she will be located right down the road.”

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Backroads Spring
The pond off Joy Road is gorgeous at dusk. More photos on page 8. Linda Lemmon photo.

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Clam challenge
PUTNAM — This weekend, May 15 and 16, The Putnam Challenge will center on clams — fried clam strips or whole bellies. Go to your favorite Take-Out/Curbside restaurant and order your favorite Fried Clam Strips or Whole Belly.The Reindeer like a Clam Strip platter. Santa likes a Whole Belly Clam platter.

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Updated
NDDH info on Covid-19
The Northeast District Department of Health has updated its information on COVID -19 and general seasonal information. All in one place!
Local Overview
Local testing data show that COVID-19 is taking hold in northeast CT. We are in a different phase than the central and western parts of the state – as their numbers are decreasing, ours are increasing. While our numbers are significantly lower than the rest of the state, we know they can quickly rise if we stop social distancing strategies. The combination of people wanting to enjoy the warmer weather and their desire to return to “normal” as the State inches toward re-opening will continue to pose a risk of increased spread if restrictions are relaxed too soon.
CT COVID-19 Data Tracking Map – For positive cases, deaths, and more. Click on “Cases per Day” tab to see a time elapse of coronavirus cases in CT: https://connecticut.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/052f57eabb654d59a217885918065417
According to a study by the Harvard Global Health Institute, Connecticut would have to perform 17,614 tests per day to prepare to re-open after May 1. STAT Article and maps on testing shortages: https://www.statnews.com/2020/04/27/coronavirus-many-states-short-of-testing-levels-needed-for-safe-reopening/
Anticipated Re-Opening of CT
We recognize that economic health is important to physical and mental health. Like many businesses, NDDH is awaiting updates on State plans to reopen Connecticut.  Once we know the specific requirements, we can help answer questions and provide guidance. For now, we suggest that all businesses and workplaces turn to the following sites for recommendations that will certainly help everyone to prepare to reopen and operate safely:
Guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC Interim Reopening Guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html
CDC Reopening Cleaning and Disinfecting Tool: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/pdf/ReOpening_America_Cleaning_Disinfection_Decision_Tool.pdf
CDC Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/pdf/Reopening_America_Guidance.pdf
A tool to assist employers in making decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially to protect vulnerable workers. It is important to check with state and local health officials and other partners to determine the most appropriate actions: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/fs-reopening-america-workers-at-risk.pdf
Rules in Connecticut
CT Dept. of Economic and Community Development (DECD): Safe Workplace Rules for Essential Employers:
https://portal.ct.gov/DECD/Content/Coronavirus-Business-Recovery/Safe-Workplace-Rules-for-Essential-Employers
CT DECD Safe Store Rules (Retail):https://portal.ct.gov/DECD/Content/Coronavirus-Business-Recovery/Essential-Safe-Store-Rules
Find additional resources at the CT Recovers Website: https://portal.ct.gov/ctrecovers
Proper Use of Masks
As more surgical masks become available and are distributed to essential employees and the general public, it is important to use them properly. Masks alone cannot protect you from COVID-19. They must be used together with social distancing (6 foot rule) and frequent hand hygiene. Surgical masks were intended for one-time use, but due to shortages, extended use and re-use is recommended. Surgical masks should be discarded if soiled, damaged, or become hard to breathe through. This will vary per individual and their environment.
World Health Organization Do’s and Don’ts of Wearing Surgical Masks:
https://www.who.int/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/risk-communications/general-public/protect-yourself/infographics/masks-infographic—final.tmb-1920v.png
Video – A Sarasota Memorial Hospital RN shows proper putting on (donning), taking off (doffing), and storing of a surgical mask:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=JwPWdkbyizw&feature=emb_logo
Video – What Face Masks Actually Do Against Coronavirus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P27HRClMf2U&feature=youtu.be
Video- How to make your own cloth face covering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4
Six New Symptoms of COVID-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
How We Feel app
Data collected from the How We Feel app is used to better understand if COVID-19 illness is emerging in a community and helps to predict emerging hot-spots. How We Feel lets you anonymously self-report your age, sex, ZIP code, and any health symptoms you experience in just seconds. Download the app and join nearly 60,000 CT users who are helping to provide invaluable information in identifying, understanding, and ultimately controlling the spread of coronavirus in Connecticut. https://howwefeel.org/.
Seasonal Preparedness
Life goes on despite the pandemic. Here are resources for seasonal issues:
Hurricane Preparedness (Hurricane season is June 1  - November 30): https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes#prepare
Ticks - Infected blacklegged ticks that can transmit Lyme Disease are most active in the spring and fall. Don’t get bit…avoid the tick:
https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html
Rabies – Now that humans are venturing outdoors, the likelihood of encountering an animal that is unfamiliar to you increases. If it’s a stray, stay away! https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html
Check frequently for additional information and updated guidance:
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
State of CT: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus    General questions: 2-1-1
NDDH: https://www.nddh.org/services/emergency-preparedness/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/

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