Hartford Courant -- January 11, 2022

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by  Hartford Courant

Groundbreaking surgery NYC apartment fire Voting legislation Frigid
Doctors transplant a heart from genetically Authorities investigating city’s deadliest Dems mount bid to overhaul Senate rules Sunny, breezy and very cold;
modified pig into a patient. NEWS, PAGE 4 fire in 30 years. NEWS, PAGE 6 that stand in way of plan. NEWS, PAGE 6 high of 14. SPORTS, PAGE 6
VOLUME CLXXXVI CCOOUURRAANNTT..CCOOMM TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2022
CORONAVIRUS IN CONNECTICUT
State average tops 10K cases per day
Hospitalizations 19 tests in the state came back posi- However, officials said Monday ranked 10th nationally in new highest of any time since wide-
tive over the weekend, continuing that fewer patients are requir- COVID-19 tests per capita and spread testing began more than 18
near all-time high;
a coronavirus surge that shows no ing intensive care as compared eighth in COVID-19 hospital- months ago.
positivity rate 23.6% obvious signs of slowing. to previous waves, likely due to izations per capita, according to Connecticut has now averaged
COVID-19 hospitalizations protection from vaccines and the data aggregated by the New York 10,179 daily COVID-19 cases over
statewide are fast approaching an lesser severity of the omicron vari- Times. the past week, up from 341 in early
By Alex Putterman all-time high, and some hospitals ant. November and far more than at
Hartford Courant are already treating more corona- “At that time, when we had 425 Cases, positivity rate any other time of the pandemic.
virus patients than they have at any [COVID-19] patients, about 128 Unvaccinated residents have been
Connecticut has averaged more previous point. Hartford Health- patients were in the ICU,” Dr. Ajay Connecticut on Monday about three times as likely to test
than 10,000 COVID-19 cases a day Care officials said Monday morn- Kumar, Hartford HealthCare’s reported 31,405 new COVID-19 positive in recent weeks as vacci-
over the past week, state numbers ing that their health system had chief clinical officer, said Monday. cases out of 132,606 tests since nated residents, according to state
show, by far the most of any time 501 COVID-19 patients, compared “Today we have almost 50% or so, Friday, for a daily positivity rate of numbers.
during the pandemic. to a high of 425 during Connecti- a little less than that, in the ICU.” 23.7%. The state’s seven-day posi-
Nearly a quarter of the COVID- cut’s initial wave in spring 2020. As of Monday, Connecticut tivity rate now stands at 23.6%, the Turn to Cases, Page 3
9 seek
Secretary
of State
position
Seat open for first time
in 12 years after Merrill
says she’s not running
By Christopher Keating
Hartford Courant
HARTFORD — With an open
seat for the first time in 12 years,
at least nine candidates are
running to become Connecticut’s
next Secretary of the State.
When three-term incumbent
Denise Merrill
announced that
she was not seek-
ing reelection,
the scramble
began on both
sides of the polit-
ical aisle because
openings for
statewide consti- Merrill
MARK MIRKO/HARTFORD COURANT tutional offices
are relatively rare. A total of seven
Democrats and two Republicans
Hazy shade of winter are interested in running for the
job.
The candidates are already
raising money, with state Sen.
Matt Lesser of Middletown
collecting about $41,000 as of
Jan. 1 and state Rep. Hilda Santi-
Under a full head of steam, a pedestrian walks through downtown Hartford on Monday. With an Arctic front expected to bring frigid ago, a Meriden Democrat, with
temperatures to the state, Gov. Ned Lamont activated the state’s severe cold weather protocol. Story, Connecticut, Page 1. more than $40,000. They are
followed by Maritza Bond, New
Haven’s health director, who
has raised more than $35,000.
State Rep. Josh Elliott, one of the
longtime leaders of the House
Democrats’ liberal caucus, raised
Child care $21,000 during the last quarter.
“I’m still testing the waters,’’
Lesser said Monday in an inter-
view. “I’m exploring. I have a
providers:
job that I love, but this is a really
important position and the office
itself is really important. Ulti-
Industry mately, it’s going to be what the
state party and what the differ-
ent Democratic town committees
on ‘brink’
Turn to Secretary, Page 2
State leaders say relief
could depend largely
State legislators call
on Build Back Better bill
for remote learning
option as staff
By Seamus McAvoy
shortages disrupt
Hartford Courant
classes
Child care providers, beset by high
staff turnover and what they describe Staff shortages due to COVID-19
as a flawed funding model exacer- have continued to paralyze
bated by COVID-19, are sounding the schools across Connecticut,
alarm on an industry they say is on the U.S. diplomat Wendy Sherman and Russia’s Sergei Ryabkov attend talks Monday in Geneva. DENIS forcing some districts to cancel
brink. BALIBOUSE/POOL VIA AP classes and sparking calls for
Industry wages have remained stag- a remote learning option from
nant for years, according to provid- US, Russia remain far apart in talks legislators and advocates.
ers and advocates, and many staff Connecticut, Page 1
are leaving for better-paying oppor-
tunities elsewhere. Disruptions and
safety concerns brought on by the Both sides dig in on about the high-stakes session in ship.
fast-spreading omicron variant have Ukraine, other issues Geneva appeared to have been Moscow insists on guarantees
piled onto workers, now nearly two met as senior diplomats from to halt NATO’s eastward expan- Opinion ........................News, 10
at Geneva meeting
years into the pandemic. the countries emerged without sion and even roll back the mili- Obits ......................News 12- 15
These issues come at a crucial time offering any hint of success. tary alliance’s deployments in Lottery ..........................News, 2
in the state’s recovery, with reliable, By Matthew Lee and Neither side characterized Eastern Europe, while Wash- Classified .....................News, 11
quality child care at the core of an Konstantin Manenkov the meeting as a complete fail- ington rejects the demands as Puzzles ...........Connecticut, 7
economy now slowly lurching back Associated Press ure, but neither did they offer a nonstarter. Comics ........Connecticut 8,9
to life. any prospect of easing the With both sides dug in on
Without substantial investment, GENEVA — The United increasingly worrisome standoff their positions and Ukraine’s
Georgia Goldburn, director of the States and Russia locked horns over Russia’s military buildup future hanging in the balance,
Hope Child Development Center in over Ukraine and other secu- on its border with Ukraine that Russian Deputy Foreign Minis-
New Haven, fears Connecticut’s child rity issues Monday with no sign the West sees as a fundamen- ter Sergei Ryabkov said “no
care industry is approaching collapse. of progress from either side at tal threat to European security. progress” was made on the
“This is where we are, and I am not highly anticipated strategic Nor was there any indication of central demand on NATO
being hyperbolic,” Goldburn said. talks. movement on other, perhaps expansion, although he insisted:
Low expectations from both less-explosive matters that have
Turn to Child care, Page 3 Washington and Moscow vexed the U.S.-Russia relation- Turn to Geneva, Page 3
2 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Tuesday, January 11, 2022
FROM PAGE ONE
Surging COVID-19 Secretary Those who have held Proto said the office has become
more high profile with issues
the Secretary of the
from Page 1 including voting and absentee
cases shut down trial State position include ballots that have become promi-
are looking for. We need to put nent during the continuing coro-
Gov. Ella Grasso,
together a ticket, and there are a navirus pandemic.
lot of things under consideration.’’ longtime U.S. Rep. “Election integrity, election
Court system struggles is Paul Griffin, 35, who has been Like other candidates, Santiago results, how we vote, where we
jailed, unable to post bail, since is working to raise enough money Barbara B. Kennelly of vote, and when we vote are all
to return to normal
his arrest 17 months ago for a to qualify for public funding in the going to be a big topic of conver-
Hartford, and Susan
as backlogs continue domestic assault. He is accused of statewide race. So far, 406 contrib- sation, and so I think the secretary
burglary with bodily injury, assault utors have given money to her Bysiewicz, the current of the state’s race will take on more
By Edmund H. Mahony with a weapon, assault with phys- campaign. meaning that it has in the past,’’
lieutenant governor.
Hartford Courant ical injury and interfering with Santiago, assistant deputy Proto said. “That race is going to be
an emergency call. His trial was Speaker Pro Tempore in the tremendously important, very visi-
The only jury trial underway scheduled after he moved in court state House of Representatives, ble, and one that is going to garner a
in Hartford’s criminal court- to have the charges dismissed, is the highest-ranking Latina in roots coalition of people ready to lot of attention’’ during the conven-
house shut down Monday — after claiming his right to a speedy trial the state. Her campaign platform challenge the status quo and buck tions, primaries and general elec-
repeated, COVID-related false was being violated. calls for protecting voting rights traditional thinking. During my tion.
starts — because the judge couldn’t Griffin’s trial was to have begun and making voting easier and more time working in public health, I’ve On the ballot, the secretary of the
keep enough jurors seated to hear in December, but jury selection convenient. seen government work for people state is listed after the state legisla-
the evidence. was upset when a person described Elliott says the multiple candi- and I have seen it fail. And when I tive races for House and Senate.
The latest COVID surge has as “one of the trial participants” dates from the legislature will speak with residents of this state Among the large contingent
upset plans to reopen both the disclosed he had been exposed to gauge their support among about about the stagnation surrounding considering the race are state Rep.
state and federal court systems, COVID and as many as four jurors 2,000 statewide Democratic dele- early voting, no-excuse absentee Stephanie Thomas of Norwalk,
both still struggling with backlogs were allowed to be excused after gates by May and then potentially ballots, and more, I see an oppor- Darryl Brackeen of the New Haven
from last year’s shutdowns. expressing concern about infec- pivot to decide whether to run tunity to bring to this office what board of alders, and Westport resi-
Connecticut’s chief federal tion. again for their legislative seats. I have brought to New Haven and dent Rob Simmelkjaer, who serves
judge disclosed last week that all Jury selection resumed after the “We should be making voting Bridgeport as the director of public as chairman of the Connecticut
trials scheduled before February holiday break. Nine jurors were easier, and people want voting to health — an approach to govern- Lottery Corp. All are Democrats.
are again delayed, although judges impaneled in an effort to have suffi- be easier,’’ Elliott said. ment that prioritizes listening to the Two of the biggest issues facing
may begin scheduling new trials cient alternates to deal with possi- As a non-legislator with a career people it serves and giving a voice to the office include early voting and
after Feb. 1. The state court admin- ble infections. in public health, Bond is promot- those too often ignored.’’ no-excuse absentee ballot voting
istration said the Judicial Branch is One of the jurors was excused ing her background for the job Through the years, the job has that have generated extensive
summoning fewer jurors because due to a COVID infection on Jan. as the state’s chief elections offi- been a launching pad for much debate at the state Capitol.
of the latest coronavirus surge, but 6, the same day the jury was sworn cial. The past three secretaries of bigger political careers. Those Connecticut voters will head to
is not suspending all trials. in and the presentation of evidence the state over the past 27 years — who have held the Secretary of the polls this November on a state
“As for the future impact on the began. Democrats Miles Rapoport, Susan the State position include Gov. constitutional amendment to allow
branch’s operations, this is the type The court was closed Jan. 7 Bysiewicz, and Merrill — were all Ella Grasso, longtime U.S. Rep. early, in-person voting that would
of challenge we have been dealing because of snow. well-known, veteran leaders in the Barbara B. Kennelly of Hartford, allow the state to join more than 40
with throughout the pandemic The court spokeswoman said state House of Representatives and Bysiewicz, the current lieu- other states that already have simi-
and no doubt will continue to deal “two people associated with the who knew delegates to the Demo- tenant governor. The position is a lar provisions. Proponents push-
with for the foreseeable future,” matter tested positive for COVID” cratic state party convention and four-year term that pays $110,000 ing for the bipartisan bill said that
a spokeswoman for the state on Monday, stopping the trial. were well-versed in the state legis- annually. Connecticut is behind the times
courts said Monday. “While we “In response, the Court held a lation concerning voting. On the Republican side, former when compared to most other
have significantly scaled back on Teams hearing with the defendant, Bond says she considers her candidate Dominic A. Rapini and states and needs to make better
the summoning of jurors in the his counsel and the state to notify outsider status as an advantage. political operative Brock L. Weber provisions for voters headed to the
face of the recent surge, we have all parties of the development,” the “I am not a career politician, have created candidate commit- polls.
not suspended them entirely. The spokeswoman said. “The Court and I think that is my great- tees that show they are beyond the Separately, the state legisla-
trial judges have extensive discre- is giving defense counsel time to est strength,’’ Bond said. “I am a exploratory stage. Rapini lost in a ture is expected to vote again on
tion to excuse jurors, but we have confer with his client before decid- problem-solver, a good listener, Republican primary for the U.S. a constitutional amendment on
been gratified by those jurors who ing next steps; at this point the and a hard worker, and given the Senate to Matthew Corey, a tavern no-excuse absentee ballots in
have appeared in response to a jury Court has not declared a mistrial.” opportunity, I will show the resi- owner and high-rise window order to place the amendment on
summons and expressed a will- Matthew Costello, Griffin’s dents of this state what a people- washer who won by a 3-to-1 margin. the ballot for the general public in
ingness to discharge the essential lawyer, said he anticipates asking first approach to government can The Republican convention will be November 2024.
public duty of serving on a jury.” Superior Court Judge Frank M. look like.” at Foxwoods Resort Casino in early
The defendant in the trial that D’Addabbo, Jr. for a mistrial, which Bond added, “From the begin- May, and a potential primary would Christopher Keating can be
came to an abrupt halt in Supe- would require rescheduling of the ning, this exploratory campaign be in August. reached at ckeating@courant.
rior Court in Hartford Monday trial and jury selection. has been about building a grass- State Republican chairman Ben com
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Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Tuesday, January 11, 2022 3
FROM PAGE ONE
Members of the Community Emergency Response Team of the Southington Health Dept. and town officials distribute COVID-19 test kits and N95 masks Monday to Southington residents at the
pavilion at the Southington Drive-In. DAVE ZAJAC/RECORD-JOURNAL
Cases Hospitalizations According to the state, As COVID-19 cases ing to the Coronavirus 46.2% of fully vaccinated
68.1% of people hospi- and hospitalizations have Resource Center at Johns Connecticut residents 18
from Page 1 As of Monday, Connecti- talized with COVID-19 surged in Connecticut over Hopkins University. or older have received a
cut had 1,889 patients are unvaccinated. Hospi- recent weeks, deaths have booster dose.
All eight Connecticut hospitalized with COVID- tal officials say the rate is risen but still remain far Vaccinations The CDC warns that
counties — along with 19, up 79 from Wednesday. significantly higher when below the levels recorded booster shots are some-
nearly the entire rest of Hospital officials say some considering only patients last winter. Unvacci- As of Monday, 90.2% of times misclassified as first
the country — are record- of those patients were with severe symptoms. nated people in Connecti- all Connecticut residents doses, likely inflating the
ing “high” levels of COVID- admitted for non-corona- cut have been about 17 and 95% of those 12 and reported number of first-
19 transmission as defined virus reasons before testing Deaths times as likely to die from older had received at least dose coverage and under-
by the federal Centers positive upon arrival but COVID-19 in recent weeks one COVID-19 vaccine stating the true number of
for Disease Control and that a majority have signif- Connecticut reports as those who are vacci- dose, while 75.3% of all people who have received
Prevention. With this level icant COVID-19 symptoms. COVID-19 deaths on nated, according to state residents and 84% of those boosters.
of transmission, the CDC Connecticut is now just Thursdays. Last week, the numbers. 12 and older were fully
advises people to wear 83 hospitalized patients state recorded 121 deaths, The United States has vaccinated, according to Alex Putterman can be
a mask in public indoor shy of its record of 1,972, bringing its total during the now recorded 837,773 the CDC. reached at aputterman@
settings. set on April 22, 2020. pandemic to 9,281. COVID-19 deaths, accord- Additionally, about courant.com.
Child care worries. not Connecticut.
“There are just so many “When it comes to Build
from Page 1 people who are like, ‘I can’t Back Better, the child care
do this much longer, I’m piece is the most important,
For those within the burnt out,’ ” Gay told the what it means for our kids
industry, these prob- Courant. and what it means for our
lems aren’t new. The basic If Goldburn were to economy.”
dilemma, providers and raise wages, she said, that Morgan also pointed to
state leaders agree, concerns cost would be passed on to the need for federal fund-
the funding model. the parents. But many are ing, saying that the amount
“We, right now, have a already stretching to make of investment needed is
funding model and market weekly payments, she said. “beyond the capacity” of
that compromises fiscal Goldburn and other the state’s purse strings to
solvency and sustainability providers in the industry — address.
of quality child care,” David characterized by high turn- Support for federal child
Morgan, president and CEO over rate even in the decades care funding through Build
of Team, Inc. in Derby, said preceding the pandemic Back Better is shared by U.S.
at a press conference on — are watching staff leave Sens. Chris Murphy and
Monday. for better-paying jobs else- Richard Blumenthal, who
Put more simply: “The where. visited the Hartford YMCA
market is broken,” Beth Bye, Meanwhile, parents face a Monday to speak in favor of
commissioner of the state’s Catch-22: Many are unable the bill.
Office of Early Childhood, to get to work because Connecticut would
told the Courant last week. they’re unable to access receive $168 million for
“Parents can’t afford to child care; if they do find Gov. Ned Lamont announced the arrival of 426,000 home COVID-19 tests at the state child care in the first year
pay what it costs for child child care, many are unable commodities warehouse in New Britain on Friday. On Monday, he reiterated his support for the if Build Back Better were to
care, and child care provid- to afford it because they child care elements of the Build Back Better bill. CLOE POISSON/SPECIAL TO THE COURANT pass, according to Bye, who
ers aren’t paid what they haven’t been working. described it as a “critical
deserve,” Bye said. “This broken financial up other roles to help the of the state’s child care Goldburn is calling for component” for maintain-
Larger child care centers mechanism is colliding children whose fami- centers closed permanently. an “infusion of cash” from ing the state’s supply of care.
have it marginally better, with the Great Resignation, lies she’s become embed- Preschool capacity dropped the state to stem the tide, in But the bill hangs in
thanks to economies of scale. a stalled Build Back Better ded with — social worker, by more than 10,000 spots, a sum that approaches the congressional limbo.
But wages make up 80% of bill, and no appreciable teacher, health care worker and the state was projected $120 million doled out by the Democratic leaders are
operating costs even at the way for us as an industry to — all while worrying about to lose as many as 40,000 federal government. still desperate to reach the
modestly-sized Hope Child respond,” Goldburn said. her own health, due to her spots total. She pointed to the $3 necessary 50 votes after
Development, which serves Family child care provid- preexisting conditions. Those extremes were billion the state has set aside negotiations broke down in
more than 50 children. ers are under even more “I just don’t know what avoided, Bye said, and in its Budget Reserve Fund, December.
The difference in hourly duress. These providers — the day may bring,” Moodie the “vast majority” of according to Kevin Lembo, Until that money comes,
pay between child care mostly women, and often said. the centers which closed former state comptroller. providers say, the future of
teacher salaries and mini- women of color — have In Connecticut, lead- temporarily are now back When asked during a child care looks bleak.
mum wage has shrunk from razor-thin staffs, if any at all. ers moved quickly to get open. Monday press conference if “Survival is going to be
$7 to just $3 since 2015, Kamara Moodie has just the $120 million in federal Connecticut has lost more state money could be contingent upon whether
according to Merrill Gay, three substitutes on staff American Rescue Plan fund- only about 1% of its child on the way, Lamont praised we can attract people into
executive director of the for her 24-hour program, ing into the hands of child care supply in all during the state’s preexisting the industry,” Goldburn
Connecticut Early Child- Lil Sunshine in Bridgeport, care providers. the pandemic, compared investment in the industry said. “And we cannot attract
hood Alliance. which caters to parents who According to Gay, as to other states which have and reiterated his support people into the industry if all
Like teachers at K-12 work long or untraditional many as 30 other states most more than 10%, for the child care elements we’re offering is $13 an hour,
schools, child care workers hours. haven’t distributed any according to Bye. of the Build Back Better bill. in this environment, with no
have been on the front lines “This is my calling, this is of their federal dollars But according to Bye’s “Many states don’t benefits.”
of the pandemic as long as my purpose,” said Moodie, earmarked for child care office, the state already had provide any state partici- “We are on the brink,” she
centers have been open. an educator for 15 years. yet. “I still don’t understand a shortage of 50,000 infant pation, they just rely upon said.
Children under 5 five can’t But the pandemic has been how there’s still a child care toddler slots before the erratic money that comes
be vaccinated and toddlers grueling. industry in [those] 30 states,” pandemic began. And some from the [federal govern- Seamus McAvoy may be
aren’t advised to wear In addition to her job he said. providers fear many centers ment] when they’re in the reached at smcavoy@
masks, adding to COVID-19 providing care, she’s taken By May 2021, about 20% won’t last much longer. mood,” Lamont said. “That’s courant.com
Geneva on pushing back on security West that they wouldn’t Ryabkov rattled off developed very rapidly in motions in that direction,”
proposals that are simply become members of the Russian concerns and the U.S., and will possi- she told reporters at U.N.
from Page 1 nonstarters for the United alliance. demands issued last month bly be introduced some- headquarters in New York.
States,” Sherman said, Moscow has sought to on subjects like NATO where in Europe, it would Echoing comments from
“We have no intention to adding “we will not allow wrest a string of concessions expansion and wanting require a military response U.S. Secretary of State
invade Ukraine.” anyone” to shut NATO’s from the U.S. and its West- Western commitments not on the Russian part, that is Antony Blinken, Sherman
U.S. officials openly ques- “open-door policy” that ern allies, and has massed to deploy offensive weapons a decision to counter this said progress could only
tioned that comment. extends to countries seek- an estimated 100,000 troops near Russian borders. threat through means at our happen if Russia “stays
Ryabkov spoke follow- ing to join the alliance. near Ukraine in steps that “The American side has discretion,” said Ryabkov, at the table and takes
ing talks with his U.S. coun- She said Washington “will have raised concerns about treated the Russian propos- speaking in English. “That concrete steps to de-esca-
terpart, Wendy Sherman not forgo bilateral coopera- a possible military interven- als seriously and deeply will inevitably, unavoidably late tensions.”
— part of a flurry of diplo- tion with sovereign states tion there. studied them,” he said, damage security of the U.S. Monday’s meeting was
matic activity in Europe this that wish to work with the “The situation now is so adding that he character- and its European allies.” part of “Strategic Security
week aimed at defusing the United States. And, we will dangerous, and so — I would ized Moscow’s demand for He did not elaborate. Dialogue” talks on arms
tensions. not make decisions about say — precarious that we legally binding guarantees After Ryabkov stated that control and other broad
Sherman called the talks a Ukraine without Ukraine, cannot afford any further that NATO would not move Russia had no intention to issues launched by Putin
“frank and forthright discus- about Europe without delays in resolution of this eastward as “an absolute invade Ukraine, the U.S. and U.S. President Joe
sion” but would not, or could Europe or about NATO very fundamental ques- imperative for us.” ambassador to the United Biden at a June summit
not, point to any progress. without NATO.” tion,” Ryabkov said at a sepa- Ryabkov emphasized that Nations, Linda Thom- in the Swiss city. Talks
“It was not what you Russian President Vlad- rate news conference at the it would be hard to work as-Greenfield, was publicly between Russia and NATO
would call a negotiation,” imir Putin has described Russian mission. “As Pres- on other issues if the U.S. skeptical. are planned Wednesday
she told reporters. “We’re NATO expansion to Ukraine ident Putin said, on many stonewalled on Russia’s key “I wish to believe him, I in Brussels followed by a
not to a point where we’re and other former Soviet occasions, ‘we cannot back- demands. wish that it is true that they meeting in Vienna of the
ready to set down texts and states as a “red line” for pedal. We cannot go back- “If now NATO proceeds have no plans, but every- Organization for Security
begin to go back and forth.” Moscow, demanding bind- wards. There is no further towards deployment of thing we’ve seen so far indi- and Cooperation in Europe
“We were firm, however, ing guarantees from the space for us to do so.’ ” capabilities that are being cate that they are making on Thursday.
4 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Man gets transplant heart from pig
‘Watershed event,’ process of grafting or trans-
planting organs or tissues
but prognosis still
from animals to humans, has
far from certain a long history. Efforts to use
the blood and skin of animals
By Roni Caryn Rabin go back hundreds of years.
The New York Times In the 1960s, chimpanzee
kidneys were transplanted
A 57-year-old man with into some human patients,
life-threatening heart disease but the longest a recipient
has received a heart from a lived was nine months. In
genetically modified pig, a 1983, a baboon heart was
groundbreaking procedure transplanted into an infant
that offers hope to hundreds known as Baby Fae, but she
of thousands of patients with died 20 days later.
failing organs. Pigs offer advantages over
It is the first successful primates for organ procure-
transplant of a pig’s heart ments because they are
into a human being. The easier to raise and achieve
eight-hour operation took adult human size in six
place Friday in Baltimore, months. Pig heart valves are
and the patient, David routinely transplanted into
Bennett Sr. of Maryland, humans, and some patients
was doing well Monday, with diabetes have received
according to surgeons at porcine pancreas cells.
the University of Maryland Pig skin has also been used
Medical Center. as a temporary graft for burn
“It creates the pulse; it patients.
creates the pressure; it is Two newer technologies
his heart,” said Dr. Bart- — gene editing and cloning
ley Griffith, director of the — have yielded genetically
cardiac transplant program altered pig organs less likely
at the medical center, who The surgical team shows the pig heart for transplant Friday in Baltimore. UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE to be rejected by humans.
performed the operation. Pig hearts have been
“It’s working, and it looks the potential demand is still for kidneys and other organs. perspective,” Klassen said. “It said he could be taken off the transplanted successfully
normal. We are thrilled, but higher. “This is a watershed event,” takes a long time to mature a machine Tuesday. Bennett into baboons by Dr. Muham-
we don’t know what tomor- Scientists have worked said Dr. David Klassen, chief therapy like this.” is being monitored for signs mad Mohiuddin, a professor
row will bring us. This has feverishly to develop pigs medical officer of the United Bennett decided to gamble that his body is rejecting the of surgery at University of
never been done before.” whose organs would not be Network for Organ Sharing, on the experimental treat- new organ, but the first 48 Maryland School of Medi-
Last year, some 41,354 rejected by the human body, who was formerly a trans- ment because he would have hours, which are critical, cine who established the
Americans received a trans- research accelerated in the plant surgeon at University of died without a new heart, had passed without incident. cardiac xenotransplantation
planted organ, more than half past decade by new gene edit- Maryland. “Doors are start- exhausted other treatments He is also being moni- program with Griffith and is
of them receiving kidneys, ing and cloning technologies. ing to open that will lead, I and was too sick to qualify for tored for infections, includ- its scientific director.
according to the United The heart transplant comes believe, to major changes in a human donor heart, family ing porcine retrovirus, a pig But safety concerns and
Network for Organ Sharing, just months after surgeons how we treat organ failure.” members and doctors said. virus that may be transmitted fear of setting off a dangerous
a nonprofit that coordinates in New York successfully But he added that there His prognosis is uncertain. to humans, although the risk immune response that can be
the nation’s organ procure- attached the kidney of a were many hurdles to over- Bennett is still connected to a is considered low. life-threatening precluded
ment efforts. genetically engineered pig to come before such a proce- heart-lung bypass machine, “It was either die or do their use in humans until
But there is an acute short- a brain-dead person. dure could be broadly which was keeping him alive this transplant,” Bennett said recently.
age of organs, and about a Researchers hope proce- applied, noting that rejection before the operation, but that before the surgery, according The heart transplanted
dozen people on the lists die dures like this will usher in of organs occurs even when a is not unusual for a new heart to officials at the University into Bennett came from
each day. a new era in medicine when well-matched human donor transplant recipient, experts of Maryland Medical Center. a genetically altered pig
Some 3,817 Americans replacement organs are no kidney is transplanted. said. “I want to live. I know it’s a provided by Revivicor, a
received human donor hearts longer in short supply for “Events like these can be The new heart is function- shot in the dark, but it’s my regenerative medicine
last year as replacements, the more than a half-million dramatized in the press, and ing and already doing most last choice.” company based in Blacks-
more than ever before, but Americans who are waiting it’s important to maintain of the work, and his doctors Xenotransplantation, the burg, Virginia.
Private health insurers told to pay
for cost of home COVID-19 tests
Reimbursement to with no limit. “This is all part of our retail price that the customer
President Joe Biden overall strategy to ramp paid — which could be more
cover 8 exams per
faced criticism over the up access to easy-to-use, than $12 per test.
person each month holiday season for a short- at-home tests at no cost,” There was no immedi-
age of at-home rapid tests Health and Human Services ate reaction from insurers,
By Zeke Miller as Americans traveled to Secretary Xavier Becerra or details yet on potential
Associated Press see family amid the surge in said in a statement. “By insurer and retailer part-
cases from the more trans- requiring private health nerships ahead of Saturday’s
WASHINGTON — Start- missible omicron variant. plans to cover people’s effective date.
ing Saturday, private health Now the administration is at-home tests, we are further Only tests purchased
insurers will be required working to make COVID-19 expanding Americans’ abil- on or after Jan. 15 will be A health worker picks up virus test kits during a distribution
to cover up to eight home home tests more accessible, ity to get tests for free when required to be reimbursed, event last month in Youngstown, Ohio. The Biden
COVID-19 tests per month both by increasing supply they need them.” the administration said. administration has sought to deliver more tests to people.
for people on their plans. and bringing down costs. Biden announced the Some insurers may choose DAVID DERMER/AP
The Biden administra- Later this month, the federal requirement late last to cover the costs of at-home
tion announced the change federal government will year, and it kicks in on Jan. tests purchased earlier, but variant is causing, hospitals omicron variant has sent new
Monday as it looks to lower launch a website to begin 15, but the administration they won’t have to. around the U.S. are increas- cases of COVID-19 exploding
costs and make testing for making 500 million at-home had been silent until now Americans on Medicare ingly taking the extraordi- to over 700,000 a day in the
the virus more convenient COVID-19 tests available via on details of the plan. won’t be able to get tests nary step of allowing nurses U.S. on average, obliterat-
amid rising frustrations. mail. The administration The administration is reimbursed through the and other workers infected ing the record set a year ago.
Under the new policy, also is scaling up emergency trying to incentivize private federal insurance plan, but with the coronavirus to stay The number of Americans in
Americans will be able to rapid-testing sites in areas insurers to cover the tests Medicaid and Children’s on the job if they have mild the hospital with the virus is
either purchase home test- experiencing the greatest up-front and without a Health Insurance Program symptoms or none at all. running at about 108,000, just
ing kits for free under their surges in cases. cumbersome reimbursement plans are required to cover California health author- short of the peak of 124,000
insurance or submit receipts The insurer-covered process. Insurance plans the cost of at-home tests ities announced over the last January.
for the tests for reimburse- testing would dramatically that work with pharmacies fully. Those who are not on a weekend that hospital staff Last month, the Center
ment, up to the monthly reduce costs for many Amer- and retailers to cover the covered insurance plan can members who test positive for Disease Control and
per-person limit. A family icans, and the administra- up-front costs of the tests will receive free tests through the but are symptom-free can Prevention said that health
of four, for instance, could tion hopes that by easing be required to reimburse only forthcoming federal website continue working. Some care workers who have no
be reimbursed for up to 32 a barrier to more regular up to $12 per test if purchased or from some local commu- hospitals in Rhode Island symptoms can return to
tests per month. PCR tests at-home testing, it can help through an out-of-network nity centers and pharmacies. and Arizona have likewise work after seven days with
and rapid tests ordered or slow the spread of the virus, retailer. Plans that don’t Meanwhile, in a reaction told employees they can stay a negative test, but that the
administered by a health get kids back into school move proactively to set up to the severe hospital staff- on the job if they have no isolation time can be cut
provider will continue to be more quickly and help a network of pharmacies ing shortages and crushing symptoms or just mild ones. further if there are staffing
fully covered by insurance people gather safely. would have to cover the full caseloads that the omicron The highly contagious shortages.
ROBERT DURST 1943-2022
NY real estate heir convicted in Sept. of killing best friend
By Andrew Dalton 2000. He was sentenced Oct. after testifying he mumbling to himself modest apartment in Galves- Durst had bladder cancer
and Brian Melley 14 to life in prison without shot the man as they in a bathroom while ton and disguising himself as and his health deteriorated
Associated Press parole. struggled for a gun. still wearing a hot a mute woman. during the Berman trial.
Durst had long been Deputy Los Ange- microphone, saying: In 2001, the body parts of a He was escorted into
LOS ANGELES — Robert suspected of killing his wife, les District Attor- “You’re caught! neighbor, Black, began wash- court in a wheelchair wear-
Durst, the wealthy New York Kathie, who went missing in ney John Lewin said What the hell did I ing up in Galveston Bay. ing prison attire each day
real estate heir and failed New York in 1982 and was jurors told him after do? Killed them all, Arrested in the killing, because his attorneys said
fugitive who was dogged for declared legally dead decades the verdict that they of course.” Durst jumped bail. He was he was unable to change
decades with suspicion in the later. believed Durst had Durst The quotes were arrested for shoplifting a into a suit. But the judge
disappearance and deaths of But only after Los Ange- killed his wife and later revealed to sandwich six weeks later in declined further delays after
those around him before he les prosecutors proved he murdered Morris Black in have been manipulated Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a 14-month pause during the
was convicted last year of silenced Berman before she Texas. for dramatic effect but the where he had gone to college. coronavirus pandemic.
killing his best friend, died could tell police she helped Durst discussed the cases production — done with Police found $37,000 cash Durst was born April
Monday. He was 78. him cover up Kathie’s killing and made several damn- Durst’s cooperation against and two handguns in his car. 12, 1943, and grew up in
Durst died of natural was Durst indicted by a New ing statements, including a the advice from his lawyer He would testify that Black Scarsdale, New York. He is
causes in a hospital outside York grand jury in November confession, in the six-part and friends — dredged up had pulled a gun on him and survived by his second wife,
the California prison where for second-degree murder in HBO documentary series new evidence including an died when the weapon went Debrah Charatan, whom he
he was serving a life sentence, his wife’s death. “The Jinx: The Life and envelope that connected off during a struggle. He married in 2000. He had no
according to the Department Los Angeles prosecu- Deaths of Robert Durst.” Durst to the scene of told jurors in detail how he children.
of Corrections and Rehabili- tors also told jurors Durst The show made his name Berman’s killing as well as bought tools and dismem- Under California law, a
tation. Durst had been held in got away with murder in known to a new generation incriminating statements he bered and disposed of Black’s conviction is vacated if a
a hospital lockup in Stockton Texas after shooting a man and brought renewed scru- made. body. While he was cleared defendant dies while the case
due to a litany of ailments. who discovered his iden- tiny and suspicion from Durst went on the run in of murder, he pleaded guilty is under appeal, said Laurie
Durst was convicted in tity when he was hiding out authorities. He was arrested late 2000 after New York to violating his bail, and to Levenson, a law professor at
September of shooting Susan in Galveston after Berman’s in Berman’s killing the night authorities reopened an evidence tampering for the Loyola Law School.
Berman at point-blank range killing. Durst was acquitted of before the final episode, investigation into his wife’s dismemberment. He served Attorney Chip Lewis said
at her Los Angeles home in murder in that case in 2003, which closed with him disappearance, renting a three years in prison. an appeal was filed for Durst.
Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Tuesday, January 11, 2022 5
WORLD & NATION
Governors lose taste for mandates
More states leaving
it up to public to
police themselves
By Jeffrey Collins
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. —
Governors took sweeping
actions during earlier surges
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many closed schools and
ordered businesses shut
down. They issued mask
mandates, vaccine require-
ments and even quarantines
in some places for people
who had traveled to out-of-
state hot spots.
Not this time, even as the
exponential spread of the
super-contagious omicron
variant shatters COVID-19
infection records. While
governors are sending
help to hospitals, they are
displaying little appetite for
widespread public orders or
shutdowns.
Even Democratic gover-
nors who passed strict
mandates early on are now
relying more on persuasion
than dictates. They largely
are leaving it up to local
officials to make the tough Dr. Brooke Decker, left, argues with a woman about her opposition to a mask mandate in McCandless, Pa. ALEXANDRA WIMLEY/PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE 2021
calls on decisions such as
whether to limit capacity in the state, and he continues anyway, and we don’t have requirement from outdoor Gianforte, while listing his even though the Repub-
restaurants and theaters or to resist imposing any state- the ability to enforce it,” crowds in November and accomplishments during his lican- controlled legisla-
keep schools open. wide business shutdowns. Hogan said. “So we’re just hasn’t reinstated it. Schools first year in office last week, ture has lacked veto-proof
South Carolina set a California is grappling strongly encouraging people and businesses remain open, said that through previous majorities necessary to over-
record for positive tests with an astonishing spike to wear the damn mask.” and Democratic Gov. Kate COVID-19 surges there was turn his previous statewide
over the New Year’s week- in infections, and the state New Jersey has had the Brown has urged booster little differences in case COVID-19 mandates.
end and COVID-19 hospi- health department extended second-largest U.S. case- shots as the best way to counts between states run “We’re going to have to
talizations are up 67% from an indoor mask mandate to load during this surge, after combat the virus. by Republicans that tended learn how to live with it, and
the week before. But Gov. Feb. 15, but the state’s Demo- New York, and Democratic Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, to take fewer precautions continue to keep our kids in
Henry McMaster, a Republi- cratic leaders included no Gov. Phil Murphy asked a Republican, was one of and those run by Democrats, school and our businesses
can, urged everyone to carry mechanism to enforce it. the legislature to renew his the first to close schools in which generally took stron- open and all of our govern-
on as if everything’s fine. “If “I think a lot of people will emergency powers so he can March 2020 as the virus ger actions. ment operations running
you get real sick, there will self-enforce and do the right continue a mask mandate in began spreading rapidly “Heavy-handed, one-size- effectively and efficiently,”
be room in the hospitals,” he thing,” Gov. Gavin Newsom schools. But renewed busi- through the U.S. But his fits-all mandates don’t Cooper said. Pandemic
promised last week. told reporters last month. ness shutdowns and near desire to take aggressive work,” Gianforte said. fatigue among the public has
“There’s no need to panic. The sentiment seems universal mask mandates measures has waned, and In North Carolina, Demo- led Utah Gov. Spencer Cox
Be calm. Be happy,” McMas- familiar to Maryland Gov. appear to be off the table, since the summer he has cratic Gov. Roy Cooper is still to suggest COVID-19 and
ter said. “We just had a great Larry Hogan. The Repub- and instead of issuing new focused on voluntary mask leaving it to local govern- its variants could be treated
Christmas season. Business lican announced a 30-day executive orders, he’s urging wearing and vaccinations. ments to decide whether more like the flu or any
is booming.” state of emergency to fight people to follow public “We don’t have the prac- masks should be required in other contagious disease.
McMaster has consis- the omicron variant surge, health recommendations. tical ability to really put on a stores or government build- The focus, he said, should
tently urged people to get but it doesn’t include the Even governors who statewide mask order at this ings rather than ordering be on reducing the effects of
vaccinated and in the earli- same statewide mask pushed the hardest for point,” DeWine said in late them statewide, and encour- the illness through vaccines
est days of the pandemic, he mandate ordered earlier in restrictions during earlier December. “I don’t think it’s aging but not requiring local and medicines, not govern-
directed K-12 schools and the pandemic. outbreaks have settled on appropriate at this point. We school boards to retain mask ment mandates. On Thurs-
colleges to move to distance “I’m not sure the people appealing for people to take have the vaccine. We have mandates for students and day, he encouraged people
learning. But students are that are refusing to wear a personal responsibility. the tools.” staff. to wear masks as cases hit
back in classrooms across mask are going to wear one Oregon removed its mask Montana Gov. Greg Cooper has taken this tack record levels.
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6 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Tuesday, January 11, 2022
WORLD & NATION
Billionaire’s looted art surrendered
Museums facing seized 180 of Steinhardt’s
artifacts and will repatri-
greater scrutiny
ate them to their respec-
over provenance tive countries. Steinhardt
also agreed to a lifetime ban
By Ilan Ben Zion from acquiring antiquities —
Associated Press though it is unclear how that
ban will be enforced.
JERUSALEM — One Steinhardt, 81, is a long-
of the Israel Museum’s time patron of the Israel
biggest patrons, American Museum and many other
billionaire Michael Stein- Israeli institutions, including
hardt, approached the flag- a natural history museum at
ship Israeli art institution Tel Aviv University bear-
in 2007 with an artifact ing his name. Since 2001,
he had recently bought: a his family foundation has
2,200-year-old Greek text donated over $6.6 million to
carved into limestone. the Israel Museum, accord-
But shortly after it ing to partial U.S. tax filings.
went on display, an expert Steinhardt was not
noticed something odd — accused of plundering any
two chunks of text found a items himself and has said
year earlier during a dig near he did not commit any
Jerusalem fit the limestone crimes. But the DA’s office
slab like a jigsaw puzzle. said he “knew, or should
It soon became clear that have ascertained by reason-
Steinhardt’s tablet came able inquiry” that the antiq-
from the same cave. uities were stolen.
Last month, Steinhardt Steinhardt declined an
surrendered the piece, interview request.
known as the Heliodorus The DA began investi-
Stele, and 179 other arti- gating Steinhardt’s massive
facts valued at roughly $70 A Neolithic mask loaned by American billionaire Michael Steinhardt, center, is displayed at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The antiquities collection in 2017
million as part of a landmark artifact was among 180 recently surrendered by Steinhardt to avoid prosecution in the United States. MAYA ALLERUZZO/AP after he loaned a Bull’s Head
deal with the Manhattan sculpture to the Metropoli-
District Attorney’s office “They can’t really afford spoke on condition of James Snyder, who was began closing that loophole tan Museum of Art that had
to avoid prosecution. Eight the public embarrassment anonymity because of the the Israel Museum’s direc- in 2016, when it mandated a been plundered from a site
Neolithic masks loaned of constantly being linked legal questions surround- tor from 1997 to 2016, said digital database of dealers’ in Lebanon.
by Steinhardt to the Israel to this kind of thing, because ing the item, told The Asso- all artifacts coming to the artifacts. The DA says the three
Museum for a 2014 exhibi- museums aren’t wealthy and ciated Press that he obtained museum have their prove- Israel recently returned items at the Israel Museum
tion were also seized under many of them hold a place of the inscription from a Pales- nance checked by the IAA smuggled antiquities found are “effectively seized in
the deal, including two that public trust,” she said. tinian colleague in Bethle- before they’re exhibited, in dealers’ stores to Egypt place,” and has opened talks
remain exhibited at the In addition to the hem, in the Israeli-occupied and that Steinhardt’s other and Libya. Other antiqui- with Israel to coordinate
museum. Heliodorus Stele and two of West Bank, who didn’t spec- looted artworks “came with ties stolen from Iraq and the return of 28 additional
Museums worldwide the ancient masks, at least ify its provenance. documentation of legal Syria — including thou- items. It said Steinhardt
are facing greater scrutiny one other Steinhardt-owned “I don’t know how it got ownership.” sands of cuneiform tablets “has been unable to locate”
over the provenance — or artifact in the Israel Museum to the dealer in Jerusalem,” “We were given docu- purchased by Hobby Lobby the final nine items traced
chain of ownership — of is of uncertain provenance: Ganor said. He said it could mentation of legal purchase, owner Steve Green in 2010 to Israel.
their art, particularly those a 2,800-year-old inscription have come from the West it was approved to come in — were smuggled to Israeli Of those 40 artifacts, more
looted from conflict zones on black volcanic stone. The Bank, neighboring Jordan or on loan and it was approved dealers before being sold to than half are believed to
or illegally plundered from museum’s display states the through Dubai, a longtime to be returned” by the collectors with fraudulent have been plundered from
archaeological sites. There origin as Moab, an ancient antiquities hub. authority, Snyder said. documentation. West Bank sites, accord-
are growing calls for such kingdom in modern-day The Israel Museum Israel has a legal antiqui- Morag Kersel, archae- ing to court documents. An
items to be returned to their Jordan. declined interview requests ties market run by some 55 ology professor at DePaul additional nine artifacts
countries of origin. How it got to Jerusalem and refused to show the arti- licensed dealers. They are University in Illinois, said from Jordan, many sold to
Donna Yates, a criminol- remains unclear. fact’s documentation. allowed to sell items discov- the wanton plunder of Steinhardt through Israel’s
ogist specializing in artifact Steinhardt gave the Royal But in a statement, it ered before 1978, when a archaeological sites across licensed antiquities market,
smuggling at Maastricht Moabite Inscription to the denied wrongdoing, saying law took effect making all the Middle East ultimately are also being repatriated.
University, said recent scan- museum on extended loan it “consistently follows the newfound artifacts state “is all demand driven.” Neither the Jordanian
dals involving looted arti- in 2002, shortly after buying applicable regulations at the property. “Looters do this because government nor the Pales-
facts — such as the Denver it from a licensed dealer in time the works are loaned.” This market has provided there’s someone like Stein- tinian Tourism and Antiqui-
Art Museum’s return of Jerusalem, said Amir Ganor, The Manhattan District an outlet for the laundering hardt who’s willing to pay ties Ministry responded to
Cambodian antiquities — are who heads the Israel Antiq- Attorney’s Office said the of smuggled and plundered money and buy things that requests for comment.
“causing museums to recon- uities Authority’s theft Moabite Inscription wasn’t antiquities from around the come straight out of the The Israel Museum said
sider the ownership history prevention unit. part of the Steinhardt inves- Middle East that are given ground,” she said. it had only recently learned
of some of the objects that That dealer, who tigation and declined to fabricated documentation Under the deal, the about the settlement and is
they have.” confirmed the deal but discuss the item. by dealers in Israel. Israel Manhattan District Attorney examining the matter.
Invoking Jan. 6, Dems pivot
to fight for voting legislation
By Brian Slodysko
Associated Press
WASHINGTON —
Democrats are mounting
an impassioned bid to over-
haul Senate rules that stand
in the way of their sweeping
voting legislation, arguing
dark forces unleashed by
Donald Trump’s falsehoods
about the 2020 election
demand an extraordinary
response.
In fiery speeches and
interviews, President Joe
Firefighters on Monday work outside the apartment building in the Bronx borough of New Biden and top congressio-
York City. The death toll in the city’s deadliest fire in three decades fell to 17. YUKI IWAMURA/AP nal Democrats have seized
on the first anniversary of Sen. Patrick Leahy, right, talks about voting rights at the
NYC probe turns to failure the Jan. 6 insurrection as Capitol. With Leahy are Sens. Chuck Schumer, left, Raphael
a reason to advance their Warnock and Amy Klobuchar. J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP 2021
long-stalled voting, ethics
and elections package. the moment has come to But Democrats say they
of safety features in fatal fire
Senate Republicans, who act decisively in what they are focused on what’s
have repeatedly blocked view as the civil rights fight achievable now, amid esca-
the legislation, excoriate of the era. Changing Senate lating pressure from allies
By David Porter, hospitalized, including underway to determine the measures as a “partisan rules early in 2022 offers for action. Even modest
Bobby Caina Calvan several in critical condition. how the fire spread and power grab” and warn that perhaps the last best chance changes to Senate rules,
and Michelle L. Price Mayor Eric Adams called whether anything could any rule changes will haunt to counteract Republicans’ they say, would be a step
Associated Press it an “unspeakable tragedy” have been done to prevent Democrats someday under state-level push before the forward.
at a news conference near or contain the blaze, Nigro a GOP majority. midterm elections, when Leaning into the fight,
NEW YORK — Inves- the scene Monday. said. Trump’s false claims Democrats’ House majority Biden is set to deliver a
tigators sought answers Adams lowered the death A fire department offi- of a stolen election not and slim hold in the 50-50 speech Tuesday in Atlanta
Monday for why key safety toll from an initial report cial said the space heater only incited the mob that Senate could be wiped out. focused on voting rights.
features failed when fire Sunday, saying that two had been running for a stormed the Capitol, Demo- “If Republicans continue And Schumer has added
broke out in a New York fewer people were killed “prolonged period” before crats say. His unrelenting to hijack the rules of the to the civil rights symbol-
high-rise, funneling thick than originally thought. the fire began. What caused campaign of disinforma- chamber to prevent us from ism by setting the Martin
smoke through the tower Nigro said patients were it to malfunction remains tion also sparked a GOP protecting our democracy, Luther King Jr. holiday, on
and killing 17 people, taken to seven hospitals and under investigation, spokes- effort to pass new state laws then the Senate will debate Jan. 17, as the deadline to
including eight children, in “there was a bit of a double man Frank Dwyer said. Fire that have made it more diffi- and consider changes to either pass the voting legis-
the city’s deadliest blaze in count.” then spread to nearby furni- cult to vote, while in some the rules,” Senate Major- lation or consider revis-
three decades. The dead included chil- ture and bedding, he said. cases rendering the admin- ity Leader Chuck Schumer, ing the rules. The Senate is
A malfunctioning elec- dren as young as 4 years Large, new apartment istration of elections more D-N.Y., said Friday. likely to hold a series of test
tric space heater apparently old, City Council Member buildings are required to susceptible to political Yet what action they votes this week intended
started the fire Sunday in Oswald Feliz said. have sprinkler systems and influence. will take remains highly to underscore GOP oppo-
the 19-story building in the Some people could not interior doors that swing Democrats’ voting legis- uncertain, depending on sition.
Bronx, fire officials said. escape because of the shut automatically to lation would usher in the the often elusive support of Republicans say invok-
The flames damaged only smoke, Nigro said. Others contain smoke and deprive biggest overhaul of U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. ing the Jan. 6 insurrection
a small part of the building, became incapacitated as fires of oxygen, but those elections in a generation, Key Democrats have been is offensive. The voting
but smoke poured through they tried to get out. Fire- rules do not apply to thou- striking down hurdles to meeting with Manchin bills, they say, were largely
the apartment’s open door fighters found victims on sands of the city’s older voting enacted in the name for weeks, brainstorming written before the attack
and turned stairwells — every floor, many in cardiac buildings. of election security, reduc- options while also enlisting and include a liberal wish
the only method of escape and respiratory arrest, The building was ing the influence of big outside allies to lobby his list that will do little to
in a building too tall for Nigro said. equipped with smoke money in politics and limit- support. combat vulnerabilities in
fire escapes — into dark, Limp children were given alarms, but several residents ing partisan influence over Manchin has made no the law exposed by Trump’s
ash-choked death traps. oxygen after they were said they initially ignored the drawing of congressio- firm commitments. He has attempts to overturn the
Fire Commissioner carried out. Some who fled them because alarms were nal districts. The package repeatedly said he will not election.
Daniel Nigro said the had soot-covered faces. so common in the 120-unit would create national elec- support lowering the fili- The renewed focus on
apartment’s front door and Firefighters continued building. tion standards that would buster’s 60-vote threshold voting rights comes as
a door on the 15th floor making rescues even after Bronx Park Phase III trump the state-level GOP for passing most legislation, much of Biden’s agenda has
should have been self-clos- their air supplies ran out, Preservation LLC, the laws. It would also restore a stance shared by fellow stalled in Congress. Before
ing, blunting the spread Adams said. group that owns the build- the ability of the Justice centrist Kyrsten Sinema, Christmas, Manchin halted
of smoke, but the doors “Their oxygen tanks were ing, said it was cooperating Department to police elec- D-Ariz. Until the threshold work on Biden’s $2 trillion
malfunctioned and stayed empty, and they still pushed with the fire department tion laws in states with a is lowered, enacting elec- package of social and envi-
fully open. through the smoke,” he said. and the city and working to history of discrimination. tion legislation could prove ronmental initiatives, delay-
Dozens of people were An investigation was assist residents. Many Democrats say difficult, if not impossible. ing the bill indefinitely.
Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Tuesday, January 11, 2022 7
WORLD & NATION
NEWS BRIEFS
Myanmar’s Suu Kyi
gets 4 more years in
prison, official says
From news services The military’s seizure
of power was quickly met
BANGKOK — A court in by nonviolent nationwide
Myanmar sentenced ousted demonstrations, which
leader Aung San Suu Kyi to security forces quashed with
four more years in prison deadly force, killing over
Monday after finding her 1,400 civilians, according to
guilty of illegally import- a detailed list compiled by
ing and possessing walk- the Assistance Association
ie-talkies and violating for Political Prisoners.
coronavirus restrictions, a
legal official said. Jan. 6 House panel: Repub-
Suu Kyi was convicted last lican Rep. Jim Jordan of
month on two other charges Ohio, one of former Presi-
and given a four-year prison dent Donald Trump’s closest
sentence, which was then allies in Congress, rejected a
halved by the head of the request for an interview by
military-installed govern- the House panel investigat-
ment. ing the Jan. 6 Capitol insur-
The cases are among rection.
about a dozen brought In a letter to committee
against the Nobel Peace chairman Bennie Thomp-
Prize laureate since the son, D-Miss., Jordan said,
army seized power last “The American people are Bodycam footage shows how a pilot of a single-engine plane averted death twice Sunday, first when he crash-landed onto
February, ousting her tired of Democrats’ nonstop railroad tracks, then when police officers rescued him, bottom right, just before a commuter train smashed into the Cessna 172.
elected government and investigations and partisan The plane had engine failure after taking off from Whiteman Airport in the Pacoima neighborhood of Los Angeles. LAPD VIDEO
arresting top members of witch hunts.”
her National League for Thompson told Jordan in
Democracy party. a letter last month that the The panel is also seek- addition to other treatments world’s longest disruption, energy prices as a “terror-
If found guilty of all the panel wants him to provide ing information regard- that need to be developed, according to figures from ist aggression” against
charges, Suuk Kyi, 76, could information surround- ing Jordan’s meeting with the most reasonable solu- the U.N. cultural agency. The the mineral-rich Central
be sentenced to more than ing his communications Trump and members of his tion for the prevention of shutdown affected more Asian nation of 19 million
100 years in prison. with Trump on Jan. 6 and administration in November the disease,” he said. than 10 million learners. and dismissed reports that
Monday’s verdict in the Trump’s efforts to challenge and December 2020, and in Francis and Emeritus The East African coun- authorities targeted peace-
court in the capital, Naypy- the result of the 2020 elec- early January 2021, “about Pope Benedict XVI have try of 44 million people first ful demonstrators as “disin-
itaw, was conveyed by a tion. strategies for overturning been fully vaccinated with shut down its schools in formation.”
legal official who insisted on “We understand that you the results of the 2020 elec- Pfizer-BioNTech shots. March 2020, shortly after
anonymity for fear of being had at least one and possibly tion.” Some Catholics have the first coronavirus case Saget scene: Comedian
punished by the authori- multiple communications claimed that vaccines was confirmed on the Afri- and actor Bob Saget, 65, was
ties, who have restricted the with President Trump on Pope about vaccines: Pope based on research that used can continent. Some classes found dead lying face up
release of information about January 6th,” the letter read. Francis suggested Monday cells derived from aborted were reopened to students on his bed in a luxury hotel
Suu Kyi’s trials. “We would like to discuss that getting vaccinated fetuses were immoral and in February 2021, but a total room in Florida with no
Suu Kyi’s party won a each such communication against the coronavirus was have refused to get the shots. lockdown was imposed signs of trauma, according
landslide victory in a 2020 with you in detail.” a “moral obligation” and again in June as the country to an sheriff’s office report
general election, but the In his response Sunday, denounced how people had Ugandan schools reopen: faced its first major surge. released Monday.
military claimed there was Jordan insisted, “I have been swayed by “baseless Uganda’s schools reopened There were no signs of
widespread electoral fraud, no relevant information information” to refuse one of to students Monday, ending Kazakhstan protests: foul play, and the room
an assertion that indepen- that would assist the Select the most effective measures the world’s longest school Nearly 8,000 people in itself was in order, “with
dent poll watchers doubt. Committee in advancing to save lives during the disruption due to the Kazakhstan were detained items owned by Mr. Saget
She is being held by the any legitimate legislative pandemic. COVID-19 pandemic. by police during protests on the nightstand, television
military at an unknown purpose.” Francis, 85, used some The reopening caused that descended into violence stand, closet and bathroom,”
location, where state televi- Jordan brought up false of his strongest words yet traffic congestion in last week and marked the according to the report from
sion reported last month she claims about voter fraud calling for people to get some areas of the capi- worst unrest the former the Orange County Sheriff’s
would serve her sentence. during an October hearing vaccinated in a speech to tal, Kampala, and students Soviet nation has faced Office.
The military-installed on a motion to hold former ambassadors accredited can be seen carrying their since gaining independence Saget’s left arm was across
government has not allowed White House chief strategist to the Holy See, an annual mattresses in the streets, 30 years ago, authorities said his chest and his right arm
any outside party to meet Steve Bannon in contempt event in which he sets out a back-to-boarding school Monday. was resting on his bed when
with Suu Kyi since it seized for refusing to comply with the Vatican’s foreign policy phenomenon not witnessed President Kassym- deputies and paramed-
power, despite international a congressional subpoena. goals for the year. here for nearly two years. Jomart Tokayev on Monday ics arrived Sunday at his
pressure for talks including Jordan admitted that he “Vaccines are not a magi- Uganda’s schools have described the unrest that room at the Ritz Carlton in
her that could ease the coun- spoke with Trump on the cal means of healing, yet been fully or partially shut followed initially peace- Orlando and pronounced
try’s violent political crisis. day of the attack. surely they represent, in for more than 83 weeks, the ful protests against rising him dead, the report said.
8 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Becerra tells Medicare Take-Two
buys Zynga
to reassess ‘Part B’ hike
in a $12.7B
gaming deal
Directive made after Biogen cut cost of pricey new Alzheimer’s drug by 50%
By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar of Health and Human Services says it is makers to pay the government rebates if
Associated Press reaching out to the Social Security Admin- they hike prices faster than inflation, and By Michelle Chapman
istration, which collects the premium, to authorize Medicare to negotiate prices for Associated Press
WASHINGTON — U.S. health secretary examine options. certain medications.
Xavier Becerra on Monday ordered Medi- Medicare’s standard premium is rising In announcing the price cut just days Take-Two Interactive, maker of “Grand
care to reassess a big premium increase by about $22 this year, up from $148.50 before the Christmas holidays, Biogen Theft Auto” and “Red Dead Redemption,”
facing millions of enrollees this year, in 2021 and one of the biggest annual acknowledged the high cost had become is buying Zynga, maker of “FarmVille” and
attributed in large part to a pricey new increases ever. About half of that, $11, was a stumbling block to uptake for its medi- “Words With Friends,” in a cash-and-stock
Alzheimer’s drug with questionable bene- attributed to the potential costs of having to cation. deal valued at $12.7 billion.
fits. cover Aduhelm at its original $56,000 price. “Too many patients are not being offered The acquisition announced Monday
Becerra’s directive came days after Since Aduhelm is administered by infusion the choice of Aduhelm due to financial would wed a powerhouse in console gaming,
drugmaker Biogen slashed the price of its in a doctor’s office, the cost is factored into considerations and are thus progressing Take-Two, with a mobile gaming company
$56,000-a-year medication, Aduhelm, to Medicare’s outpatient coverage, not the beyond the point of benefiting from the first with an almost cult-like following. Zynga
$28,200-a-year — a cut of about half. separate prescription plan that pays for treatment to address an underlying pathol- shareholders will receive $3.50 in cash and
“With the 50% price drop of Aduhelm pharmacy medicines. ogy of Alzheimer’s disease,” CEO Michel $6.36 in shares of Take-Two common stock
on Jan. 1, there is a compelling basis ... to Becerra’s move came after Democratic Vounatsos said at the time. “We recognize for each share of Zynga outstanding stock
reexamine the previous recommendation,” senators urged the Biden administration that this challenge must be addressed in a at closing. The transaction is valued at $9.86
Becerra said in a statement about his direc- to take immediate steps to cut rising drug way that is perceived to be sustainable for per share of Zynga common stock.
tive to the Centers for Medicare and Medic- costs for seniors. Much bigger curbs on the U.S. health care system.” “This strategic combination brings
aid Services. drug prices promised by Democrats are Medicare is covering Aduhelm on a case- together our best-in-class console and PC
More than 50 million Medicare recip- hung up in Congress along with the rest of by-case basis. franchises, with a market-leading, diver-
ients who pay the $170.10 monthly “Part President Joe Biden’s massive social agenda Later this week, the agency is expected sified mobile publishing platform that has
B” premium for outpatient care will see legislation. to issue an initial coverage decision, but the a rich history of innovation and creativ-
no immediate change to their costs, but That bill would cap at $2,000 a year the process of finalizing it can take months. ity,” Take-Two Chairman and CEO Strauss
Monday’s move could open the way for a amount Medicare recipients have to pay Medicare said Monday it is reviewing Zelnick said in a prepared statement. He
reduction later in the year. The Department out-of-pocket for medicines, require drug- Becerra’s request to determine next steps. will retain those roles when the companies
become one.
Take-Two anticipates the deal will help
bring about mobile versions of some of
its console and personal computer based
games.
Take-Two said Monday that it anticipates
about $100 million in annual cost savings
within the first two years after the trans-
action is complete. The deal is expected to
close during the first quarter of Take-Two’s
fiscal 2023, ending June 30.
Zynga CEO Frank Gibeau and its pres-
ident of publishing, Bernard Kim, will
oversee the integration and day-to-day oper-
ations of the combined Zynga and T2 Mobile
Games business, which will operate under
the Zynga brand as its own label within the
Take-Two.
The transaction includes a provision
giving Zynga 45 days to hear other proposals.
BUSINESS BRIEFING
UK pay order on
unsafe cladding
LONDON — The British government
Monday told property developers they must
bear the cost of removing dangerous clad-
ding that has left scores of apartment build-
ings at risk of fire, and thousands of residents
facing steep bills to make their homes safe.
Glendon Mehuren II and daughter Elida Dickey help with a newborn calf at Faithful Venture Farm, a Searsmont, Maine-based organic dairy The risk posed by some kinds of aluminum
farm. Competition from Western states is affecting such farms across the Northeast. TRISTAN SPINSKI/THE NEW YORK TIMES 2021 composite cladding was exposed when fire
engulfed London high-rise Grenfell Tower
in June 2017, killing 72 people in Britain’s
Farms all shook up over milk
deadliest domestic blaze since World War II.
Investigators found that the building’s
flammable cladding helped the fire race out
of control.
Safety regulations since then require simi-
Northeast dairies are under 100 cows or fewer. Now those farms are idated in larger milk plants outside New lar dangerous cladding to be removed, but
facing trouble because there is a lack of milk England. the work hasn’t been done on some buildings
pressure as major companies
processors in the region and a glut of milk “If you go to a grocery store in Maine, because of wrangling over who should pay.
look west for organic product from huge organic dairies in Western states. there is Horizon milk on the shelves, and,
One December morning, Mehuren yes, Horizon is picking up from 14 produc-
By Murray Carpenter rattled off the names of the many nearby ers in Maine,” said Sarah Alexander, the
The New York Times dairy farms that had failed over the past executive director of the Maine Organic Ex-VP strategist
few decades. The farms that survived Farmers and Gardeners Association.
SEARSMONT, Maine — Glendon Mehu- expanded, hoping that volume would offset “But the milk that’s on the shelves may be
to join MSNBC
ren II’s Faithful Venture Farm, 35 miles low milk prices, he said. coming from Colorado, it may be coming
east of the state capital of Augusta, looks as “Milk prices were very low in the early from Ohio, it may be coming from Virginia.”
tranquil as the farms pictured on cartons 2000s,” he said, and many small farmers Chris Adamo, the vice president for
of organic milk. felt the only options were to grow or die. government affairs, policy and partner- Symone Sanders, the former chief spokes-
But things have been rough since August. “Then the organic deal kind of came along.” ships at Danone North America, said woman for Vice President Kamala Harris, is
That’s when Mehuren got a certified letter That gave smaller farmers a third option. several factors contributed to Horizon’s joining MSNBC as an anchor and will host a
from Horizon Organic, which had been Mehuren earned organic certification for withdrawal from New England. new weekend program on the cable channel,
buying his milk for 16 years. It said it was his farm and dairy herd and began selling “The Northeast region provides a the network said Monday.
terminating his contract in a year. Hori- milk to Horizon in 2005. number of continuing challenges to pick up Sanders, 32, who left her post with Harris
zon delivered the same letter to 88 other Since then, organic milk has grown to and transport milk to the processing facility at the end of December, is the most promi-
organic dairy farms from Maine to New account for more than 5% of the nation’s we use in Western New York,” Adamo said nent member of the Biden White House to
York. milk market, and it is dominated by big in an emailed statement. shift from politics into a full-time job in the
In December, Horizon gave all of the businesses. Horizon Organic is owned by As Horizon withdraws, another chal- news media.
affected farmers a reprieve, extending their the French corporation Danone. Stonyfield lenge for organic dairy farmers in the The format, title and time slot of her
contracts until February 2023 and paying Organic, the yogurt-maker in New Hamp- Northeast is competition from larger farms. MSNBC program, which will air Saturdays
a bit more for the milk. But the future for shire that buys organic milk from New One company, Aurora Organic, has and Sundays starting in the spring, are to be
small dairy farmers in the Northeast still England farmers, is owned by Lactalis. And 27,000 dairy cows on four farms in Colo- determined.
appears difficult. the farmer-owned cooperative Organic rado and Texas, according to its website She will also serve as a fill-in anchor on the
For the past 20 years, organic milk offered Valley, based in Wisconsin, now has more — the equivalent of about 500 small New network and host a show on The Choice, the
a lifeline for small farms in the Northeast, than $1 billion in annual revenue. England farms. Alexander called such oper- streaming arm of MSNBC on NBCUniver-
allowing them to stay afloat while milking Meanwhile, bottling became consol- ations “factory farms.” sal’s digital service, Peacock.
Report: Disasters cost insurers $120B in 2021
Airlineemployment
EmploymentatU.S.passengerairlines,
scaleinthousandsoffull-time
By Frank Jordans Americas, according to Munich Re. climate protection a priority.”
equivalentjobsinNovemberofeachyear
Associated Press More than a third of those insured losses Satellite measurements show 2021 was
last year were caused by Ida ($36 billion) one of the warmest years on record, with the 700
BERLIN — Damage wrought by Hurri- and the July floods in Europe ($13 billion). annual average temperature 1.9-2.1 degrees November,2021:609,581
cane Ida in the Louisiana and the flash Almost 10,000 died as a result of a natural higher than the pre-industrial period from
floods that hit Europe last summer helped disaster in 2021, comparable to the death 1850-1900, the European Union’s Coperni-
make 2021 one of the most expensive years toll in recent years, Munich Re said. cus Climate Change Service said Monday. 500
for natural disasters, reinsurance company The company warned that studies Europe experienced its warmest summer
Munich Re said Monday. showed a link between global warming and on record, it said.
The company’s annual report put the natural disasters. Scientists say that higher temperatures
overall economic losses from natural disas- “The images of natural disasters in 2021 can cause the air to absorb more moisture, 300
ters worldwide last year at $280 billion, are disturbing,” said Torsten Jeworrek, a which can then lead to more extreme rain-
making it the fourth-costliest after 2011, member Munich Re’s board of manage- fall such as that seen in western Germany,
the year a massive earthquake and tsunami ment. Belgium and the Netherlands last summer.
100
struck Japan. “Climate research increasingly confirms Munich Re noted that not all natural
Insured losses in 2021 amounted to $120 that extreme weather has become more disasters are climate-related, citing volca-
billion, the second-highest after 2017, when likely,” he said. “Societies need to urgently nic eruptions in Indonesia and Spain’s 2010 2015 2020
hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria hit the adapt to increasing weather risks and make Canary Islands, and earthquakes. SOURCE:BureauofTransportationStatistics TNS
Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Tuesday, January 11, 2022 9
BUSINESS
Report: Connecticut utilities face more cyberthreats
Data says attacks growing campaigns or easily guessed based on previous
data breaches, regulators said.
in number, sophistication
The types of cyberattacks have remained
“fairly consistent,” but the number is grow-
By Stephen Singer ing, PURA said.
Hartford Courant “As attacks such as phishing become more
automated and easier to conduct, more unso-
Electric, gas and water companies are phisticated malicious cyber actors are enter-
increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, but ing into the cybercriminal ecosystem,” the
are keeping up with the rising number of report said.
threats, a state report says. In addition, ransomware actors have
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority “continued to thrive as many new groups
said phishing attempts — emails claiming to be targeted entities within the United States this
from reputable companies seeking personal year and showed no signs of slowing down,”
information such as passwords and credit card PURA said.
numbers — are the largest type of attack and Regulators cited the sensitivity of some
”pose a significant risk to all of the state’s crit- information to withhold details associated
ical infrastructure entities.” with utilities that participated in the fifth
“The array and sophistication of cybersecu- annual report. Arthur House, a former chair-
rity threats facing Connecticut’s public utili- man of PURA, said utilities initially resisted
ties seems to grow every year,” said the report, the idea of regulators examining their cyber-
which was released Friday. security systems.
Utilities are aware of the increasing cyber- He said he bargained over the process of
threats and are responding with cybersecu- an annual review that utilities eventually
rity programs, PURA said. While the types of An Eversource lineman works in Canton in December 2020. Electric, gas and water companies supported. Utilities are taking cybersecurity
cyberattacks have remained consistent, the are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, but are keeping up with the rising number of seriously and have upgraded systems and
number continues to grow, according to regu- threats, a recent state report says. BRAD HORRIGAN/HARTFORD COURANT hired consultants. “They’re well-defended
lators. against normal penetration,” he said.
“As attacks such as phishing become more actors gained access to the supervisory control was ransomware used against the informa- However, he said no utility is “safe from a
automated and easier to conduct, more and data acquisition system at a water treat- tion technology systems of Colonial Pipeline probing attack by a sophisticated nation-state”
unsophisticated malicious cyber actors are ment plant to manipulate the water treatment that originates in Houston. Operations were such as China, Iran, North Korea or Russia.
entering into the cybercriminal ecosystem,” process, PURA said. halted to contain the attack. PURA said Microsoft identified vulnerabil-
regulators said. “The hackers exploited an outdated and Cyberattacks continue to target the infor- ities in its servers that were “actively exploited
A lack of proper authentication was the unsupported computer operating system used mation technology chain and third-party by Chinese state actors” that compromised at
source of many successful hacks of utility for the utility’s operations,” the report said. vendors to gain access to networks, PURA least 30,000 devices in the United States.
vendors and business partners, Connecticut’s “Personnel prevented any control, and oper- said. And cyberattacks have gained access into
utility regulators said in an annual cyberse- ations were not disrupted.” many networks using legitimate credentials Stephen Singer can be reached at
curity report. For example, malicious cyber One of the biggest cyberattacks last year that were likely stolen in previous phishing [email protected].
Texas city rejects drilling plan, sparing day care
By Cathy Bussewitz tical analysis of the locations of Totals wells owner, Chesapeake, about a decade ago.
and Martha Irvine in Arlington found a higher density of them When Total originally sought approval to
Associated Press in neighborhoods that many people of color drill new gas wells at the site in 2020, its
call home. request was denied.
Parents who send their children to a day Living close to fracking sites has been But oil and gas companies in Arlington are
care center in Arlington, Texas, will be able linked to health risks, including asthma, allowed to reapply for a permit every year, so
to breathe easier after the city refused to let neurological and developmental disorders. Total applied again. In November, the coun-
a major energy company drill more gas wells “I am elated! Relieved. It was totally unex- cil gave preliminary approval to Total’s plan
a few hundred feet from the center’s play- pected,” said Rosalia Tejeda, who lives a to expand the drilling zone, which would
ground. few blocks from the site with her three chil- have paved the way for several new rigs near
The Arlington City Council voted 5-4 on dren. “I hope this means that the health and the day care. But in the late-night vote last
Jan. 4 to reject the request by Total Ener- welfare of our children should come above week, it reversed that decision. Wanda Vincent prepares to check the
gies to drill additional gas wells, reversing anything else because they are the future, Several council members had feared a temperature of 2-year-old Olivia Grace
a preliminary decision by the council in our future workforce, our future leaders.” lawsuit from Total if they denied the request. Charles, who holds her mother’s hand at a
November to allow the wells to go forward. Total Energies said it was reviewing its A Texas law makes it nearly impossible for day care center in Arlington, Texas.
The vote marked a setback for Total and options in the wake of the council vote. local governments to obstruct oil and gas MARTHA IRVINE/AP 2021
a surprise victory for community members The struggle between Total, a French development.
who wanted to halt the drilling because energy giant, and Mother’s Heart Learn- During the council meeting, Wanda ter Mariah, who teaches at the day care,
they feared it could harm the children’s and ing Center, a family-owned day care that Vincent, who owns Mother’s Heart, described said she heard a screeching sound and then
neighboring residents’ health. The Asso- serves predominantly Black and Latino two incidents in December in which she said smelled a strong odor and felt nauseous after
ciated Press reported on the dispute in children, has persisted for more than a year. she and others at the day care were over- going outside to investigate.
November, with a look at people affected Total pumps gas from two active wells on whelmed and sickened by fumes that she “What we experienced is proof that there
along the natural gas supply chain. A statis- the property, which were drilled by a prior believes came from the site. Vincent’s daugh- is a problem,” Wanda Vincent said.
MARKET RUNDOWN
q Tupesday,January11,2022 p
DOW 10-YRT-BOND GOLD
36,068.87-162.79 1.77%+.01 $1,798.40+1.40
36,960 DowJonesindustrials Commodities
36,280 Close:36,068.87 FUELS CLOSE PREV. YTD
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METALS CLOSE PREV. YTD
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34,400 ForExin U.S.$ PREV.
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J A S O N D J Britain 1.3570 .7369 Primerate 3.25 3.25
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AMCEntertainmentA(AMC) 22.78 -.21 -16.3 MetaPlatformsInc(FB) 328.07 -3.72 -2.5
AT&TInc(T) 26.46 +.17 +7.6 MetLifeInc(MET) 67.50 +.24 +8.0
AdamisPharmaCorp(ADMP) .73 +.16 +20.7 MicrosoftCorp(MSFT) 314.27 +.23 -6.6
AdvMicroDev(AMD) 132.00 ... -8.3 NovartisAG(NVS) 90.08 +.77 +3.0
AmericanAirlinesGp(AAL) 18.79 -.49 +4.6 NvidiaCorporation(NVDA) 274.00 +1.53 -6.8
AmphenolCorp(APH) 81.92 -.20 -6.3 OtisWorldwideCorp(OTIS) 84.66 +.30 -2.8 REQUEST A FREE QUOTE!
AppleInc(AAPL) 172.19 +.02 -3.0
PalantirTechnol(PLTR) 16.50 -.06 -9.4
AvangridInc(AGR) 48.36 -1.78 -3.0
PeoplesUtdFncl(PBCT) 20.30 -.09 +13.9
BankofAmerica(BAC) 48.93 -.25 +10.0 PfizerInc(PFE) 56.24 +.52 -4.8 884444--991177--11999900
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BookingHoldings(BKNG) 2426.40 -8.18 +1.1 PitneyBowes(PBI) 6.47 -.17 -2.4
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CVSHealthCorp(CVS) 105.06 +.87 +1.8 PluristemThera(PSTI) 1.83 +.36 +25.3
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CarrierGlobalCorp(CARR) 52.32 +.48 -3.5 PubSvcEntGp(PEG) 66.26 -.74 -.7
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CignaCorp(CI) 233.69 +.51 +1.8 RevivaPharmaHldgs(RVPH) 2.97 ... +2.8
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10 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Tuesday, January 11, 2022
OPINION
Helen Bennett
Executive Editor
[email protected]
COURANT.COM/OPINION
The state Department of Education recently reminded school districts that closing schools due to COVID-19 outbreaks “is generally not permitted” under state law, though “very limited
exceptions” will be allowed. JESSICA HILL/SPECIAL TO THE COURANT
EDITORIAL
Lamont working to keep kids in school
Connecticut parents are outbreaks “is generally not child,” said Patrice McCarthy, hours, the petition says, “If it’s measures.
worried. permitted” under state law, deputy director of the Connecti- unsafe for towns to have in-per- “Up to 60% of my members
Nearly two full years after the though “very limited exceptions” cut Association of Boards son meetings, it’s unsafe for our don’t have access to [N95]
COVID-19 pandemic took hold will be allowed. of Education told a Courant babies to be in classrooms.” masks, and more than 70% have
of this state, the omicron vari- Charlene M. Russell-Tucker, reporter. But Lamont is sticking to his reported not having access to
ant is raging, positivity rates hit state commissioner of educa- Further, state officials have goal. Amid widespread absences testing,” said Kate Dias, presi-
record levels, hospitals are filling tion, told the districts in a memo pointed out that damage to of teachers, bus drivers and dent of the Connecticut Educa-
up with patients again, there are that remote learning would learning and mental health can students from school this week, tion Association.
not enough test kits to go around be allowed when students accompany long-term distance the governor said the state is She is right that a work space
and debates are raging over must be in isolation due to a learning. distributing 670,000 at-home without those protections is not
mask-wearing mandates and confirmed COVID-19 infec- As positive tests continue to be rapid tests to schools and child a place for teachers.
remote schooling. tion or after close contact with a reported among K-12 students — care providers across Connecti- Like Lamont, officials and
It’s no wonder there is a lot of confirmed case. Students would last Thursday it was 1,021 posi- cut. Fifty thousand tests were educators are clearly aware of
worry going around. be allowed to remain at home tive tests among students for the earmarked for early child care the concerns as they work not
Amid this, Gov. Ned Lamont only “in rare and individual- week, even though schools were providers; 620,000 were allo- only to keep kids safe, but also to
has said he is “going to do every- ized circumstances” when there not in session — there are those cated to public and private K-12 keep them in school.
thing I can to keep kids in the are family members with an who clearly do not agree with schools. “We will ramp up our miti-
classroom safely.” unusual vulnerability to COVID- educators or Lamont. There also are other steps gation efforts due to the high
“Nothing compares to a great 19. Remote learning may also Tiffany Torok of Meriden, for schools can and are taking — transmissibility of omicron.
teacher in a classroom,” the be used for special education example, recently started a peti- rigorous testing, tracing, mask We will once again focus on
governor said. students “in rare cases.” tion seeking to give parents an enforcement and distribution, providing spacing when possi-
He’s right. The point? Educators are option of keeping kids at home on-site vaccination clinics in ble, reinforce the importance
And top educators in trying to keep kids safely in for remote classes during the some cases, and other safety of mask wearing, and reiterate
Connecticut — who work to keep school, with emphasis on the record surge in COVID-19 cases. standards. our guidance to all that if your
children safe — agree with him. benefit of routines and in-person The petition (bit.ly/3sTUhAP) More also could be done. A child shows any symptoms of
The state Department of schooling, especially for younger on Change.org urges Lamont coalition of labor unions, for illness, please keep them home,’’
Education recently reminded children. “Every time that’s to allow a statewide choice on instance, recently asked the state West Hartford Superintendent
school districts that clos- interrupted, that interrupts the distance learning. Attracting to provide N95 masks, free test- of Schools Tom Moore said in a
ing schools due to COVID-19 educational experience for the more than 4,200 signatures in 48 ing at schools and other safety letter to parents.
OP-ED
The new State Pier in New London will create jobs
By Keith R. Brothers ect will add millions of dollars in tunity to breathe new life into
value to the New London econ- one of southeastern Connecti-
With the Connecticut Port omy, including indirect spending cut’s prime maritime assets. State
Authority’s final State Pier permit at local retail and restaurants as Pier’s infrastructure improve-
recently approved by the U.S. well as labor income. ments and enhanced footprint
Army Corps of Engineers, our Connecticut has great partners will make it a more marketable
state is on the brink of being in Ørsted and Eversource, who facility for our state, which will
home to one of the country’s are building a green jobs work- help Connecticut attract new
premier port facilities for the force and helping to develop a businesses and a broader range
offshore wind industry. It will regional supply chain to support of cargo types than it previously
serve as a major new jobs hub, wind farm development. Once handled.
bolster the state’s economy and the pier redevelopment project With this investment in a
help launch a new industry that is complete, the companies will modernized State Pier, new
is imperative for fighting climate lease the modernized State Pier economic opportunities will be
change and achieving a sustain- for 10 years and use it as a wind open to our state, bringing in more
able, carbon-free future for turbine staging and Assembly state revenue from various cargo
Connecticut and beyond. facility for Connecticut’s first sources after offshore wind or
The timing couldn’t be better offshore wind farm, Revolution while there are lulls in offshore
for the redevelopment of State Wind. State Pier will also support wind project construction. And we
Pier to fully take shape using a its two other major projects in have a private partner in Ørsted
Project Labor Agreement, which development in the Northeast, and Eversource to help us make
includes pre-apprenticeship South Fork Wind and Sunrise this happen with a nearly $100
training programs to deliver huge Wind, both of which will serve million private investment in State
job opportunities to the local New New York. Pier, including lease payments.
London Building Trades Coun- To meet the Biden adminis- New London, too, stands to
cil. The construction work to tration’s decarbonization goals, benefit directly from a redevel-
transform the pier into a modern, South Fork Wind is slated to start In this file photo, a lift boat, which serves as a work platform, assembles a oped State Pier and the offshore
heavy-lift capable facility will construction early next year, and wind turbine off Block Island, R.I. MICHAEL DWYER/AP wind industry. The city will real-
create hundreds of prevailing Revolution Wind and Sunrise ize more than $1 million in new
wage, union construction jobs Wind are on track to receive construction of the wind farms. will be an anchor to attract other annual revenue from payments
— such as laborers, ironworkers, federal approval over the next Ørsted and Eversource will bring aspects of the offshore wind from the different project part-
electricians, operating engineers, two years. Revolution Wind will one of the largest, most advanced supply chain to a region rich ners. But equally important, it
carpenters and other trades — deliver 304 megawatts of clean installation vessels to State Pier with manufacturing and tech- will be a hub for this vital, new,
that include pension and health energy to Connecticut and 400 to support the construction of its nology, generating even more national industry that creates jobs
benefits. megawatts to Rhode Island. All offshore wind farms. In doing so, economic opportunities. and spurs economic development
As State Pier hums with three projects will collectively they will help create and sustain One of the more exciting while fighting climate change and
construction activity, New provide enough clean energy to dozens of diverse jobs for wind aspects of the project is the creating a better planet for future
London’s economy and small power more than one million turbine generator pre-assembly increased heavy-lift capacity for generations.
businesses will be bolstered by homes in the Northeast. operations at State Pier. the pier. State Pier has been one of
an influx of workers frequenting Equally advantageous are the Additionally, as State Pier Connecticut’s most underutilized Keith R. Brothers is president of
local establishments. It is esti- continuing, well-paying posi- becomes a regional epicenter assets for several generations, and the Connecticut State Building
mated that the State Pier proj- tions created throughout the for the offshore wind industry, it with this project comes an oppor- Trades Council