Thursday, April 9, 2020
www.plainvillecitizen.com
Concern over protective equipment as cases rise By Michael Gagne Record-Journal staff
Be on the lookout for check scams By Lauren Sellew Record-Journal staff
Residents are cautioned to be on the lookout for scams involving claims of stimulus checks from the federal government.
As the number of COVID-19 infections continues to increase, public safety and health officials are concerned about depleting stockpiles of personal protective equipment for first responders and healthcare workers. “We always will need more,” said Meriden Fire Chief Ken Morgan. “We’re burning through it a lot faster than we normally would.” Decontamination team members Rob Rogers and Midway through last week, Scott McMullen remove equipment from an ambulance Morgan’s department had at Hunter’s Ambulance in Meriden. sufficient supplies of N95 Dave Zajac, Record-Journal medical masks and Tyvek protective suits, but was runOverall, 26,686 residents ed. At the same time, ning short of respiratory aid they’re worried about tak- were tested for the disease, equipment, like breathing ing it home to families. So with 6,906 of them having tanks. tested positive to we’re doing everything “Fortunately we can decondate. Statewide, there we can to protect them taminate them. Those are a are 1,221 hospitalizations of and their families,” Morreusable type item,” he said. patients currently being gan said. treated for COVID-19. Morgan noted the departMore than 1,200 Connectiment is trying to reuse proOfficials reported 17 new cut residents tested positective suits as much as pos- tive for COVID-19, out of COVID-19-related deaths, sible. But at some point, bringing the state’s total to approximately 3,400 tests, those would need to be re206 deaths as of Monday afaccording to figures replaced, as well. leased by the state Depart- ternoon. ment of Public Health “The guys are hanging in there. They’re really motivat- Monday afternoon. See Equipment, A7
After the announcement of the $2 trillion federal economic stimulus package, the state attorney general and Department of Consumer Protection began receiving reports of “bad actors looking to steal Americans’ personal information and money,” according to a statement. “Scam artists will use this public health emergency and much-needed relief as a way to profit off of the public’s fears and vulnerabilities ...” Attorney General William Tong said in the statement. Tong advised residents to do research if they receive a phone call, text message or email from someone claiming to be from the federal government. State police said they have not received any complaints. “Hopefully people heed the warning,” Meriden Police Sgt. Darrin McKay said
Tuesday. “It’s no different than a phishing scam.” Phishing is the criminal practice of using email or text messages to trick a person into giving out personal information, according to the Federal Trade Commission consumer website consumer.ftc.gov/. The site features tips for avoiding coronavirus scams. McKay said if residents get text messages with links to access “their stimulus check” they should not provide any personal information, including Social Security number or credit card information. Wallingford Police Lt. Cheryl Bradley also advised caution. See Scams, A4
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Volume 19, Number 9