On Friday First Selectman Fred Camillo said almost 69% of Greenwich residents have had at least one shot of the Covid-19 vaccine. He noted that percentage included children up to age 12, who are not eligible for the vaccine, and surmised that the actual percentage of eligible vaccinated was higher than 69%.
During his weekly radio show on WGCH 1490 AM, Camillo said he was anxious to know when the FDA would give full approval of the vaccine.
“I’ve heard some people say they’ll get (the vaccine) as soon as it’s fully approved,” he said.
There were 37 new cases of Covid in Greenwich last week.
“I’m certain the majority of those are unvaccinated,” Camillo said. “All you can do is encourage people to get it, and we’ll absolutely continue to do that. All the numbers are pointing to the fact that it does work.”
“Because the vaccination numbers are not there, you’re putting people at risk,” he warned. “We’re continuing to encourage people to get it, though I understand if someone has a medical condition.”
Camillo noted that in-patients at the hospital are largely unvaccinated. And though he noted there were some breakthrough Covid cases, those patients are generally not going to the hospital.
“Down in Miami and certain parts of Florida it’s become an issue again,” he said. “We don’t want to take steps backward.”
“We highly encourage that if you haven’t been vaccinated to look at all the evidence in front of us and reconsider the hesitance because the life you save or affect may be your own as well as members of your family.”
Fred Camillo, Greenwich First Selectman
Given the CDC this week urged vaccinated people in Covid hot spots to wear masks indoors, Camillo said he hoped that wouldn’t become necessary in Greenwich.
“I think it’s something people are done with, and they have done the right thing: they wore their mask, they kept their distance, they washed their hands and they’re paying the price for those who didn’t,” he said.
“I hope I never see empty stands again at games,” Camillo continued, adding that if there had to be a government mandate, they have to do it. You just have to wear a mask. To me it’s unnecessary because if people would really consider and get vaccinated.”
“We continue to accentuate the positive, but encourage people to get vaccinated. hesitant to about getting vaccinated. It’s still a daily battle, but we’ll get there.”
As for mandating town employees to be vaccinated Camillo noted some government agencies were starting to require them.
“We’re not there yet,” he said, adding that he had sent an email to all town employees with a “soft, gentle reminder” about vaccinations.
“We’re not there, but it’s something we’re looking at on a daily basis. We’ll do everything to keep people safe.”
He noted there was a high vaccination rate among employees of Greenwich town hall, but not 100%. The town does not know how many employees in town hall are vaccinated.
“I guess if someone doesn’t want to, that’s fine, but I guess at some point they’ll have to wear a mask if they’re not vaccinated,” he added.
The First Selectman noted that while St Catherine’s had canceled their annual fair this year, the St Roch Feast will take place Aug 11-14, 2021. And while the four-night event will be modified to feature Covid precautions, Camillo said it would be much closer to normal than last year.
“We’re very exited about that,” he said.
As for Selectmen meetings that recently resumed in person, with a Zoom option, Camillo said in coming weeks, if cases continue to increase because of the Delta variant, he anticipated people would prefer to stay at home and attend the meetings via Zoom.
The Monday Aug 2 special meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be both person at town hall and via Zoom from 9:00am to 11:00am.
The agenda features one item: “Discussion of proposed changes to parking on Greenwich Avenue as requested by Alyssa Keleshian Bonomo.
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