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Debate in Connecticut over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

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These pages were updated from March 2020 through June 2020 and do not contain the latest commentary available. To submit arguments for inclusion on this page, email editor@ballotpedia.org. To learn how Ballotpedia decides which arguments to feature, click here.


Ballotpedia is providing comprehensive coverage of how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting America's political and civic life. In addition to monitoring federal, state, and local responses to the coronavirus, we are also capturing the nationwide and local debates on whether to extend or lift coronavirus-related restrictions affecting the economy, schools, government operations, public health, religious services, and travel.

These arguments come from a variety of sources, including public officials, journalists, think tanks, economists, scientists, and other stakeholders. We encourage you to share the debates happening in your local community to editor@ballotpedia.org.


This article covers the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in Connecticut in response to the coronavirus pandemic. You will find the following:


Debate over stay-at-home orders in Connecticut

See also: Debate over stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on the stay-at-home order in Connecticut.

  • Hearst Connecticut Media Editorial Board (News Time): Hearst Connecticut Media Editorial Board acknowledged that there is a privacy concern with contact tracing, but the Board argues that a national pandemic is a justifiable reason to cede one's privacy.

    "Contact tracing means querying everyone who tests positive for the coronavirus for whom they may have had contact with once symptoms appeared. ... An individual’s information on an extensive health database might raise privacy concerns for some. ... A devastating pandemic is a justifiable reason to cede for the greater good whatever remnants of privacy remain in the digital age." - "Editorial: Virus tracking is necessary for safe exit from lockdown," April 29, 2020.

  • Governor Ned Lamont (The Office of Governor Ned Lamont): Gov. Ned Lamont announced that Connecticut would coordinate with Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island in developing a plan to re-open the region’s economy.

    "One thing that’s undeniable is that this virus does not stop at the border of any county, state, or country, but the impact is the same when it comes to our respective economies and healthcare systems. Working as a regional coalition to make the right decisions will lead to the best public health results for all of our residents. We must solve these problems together." - "Governor Lamont, Governor Cuomo, Governor Murphy, Governor Raimondo, Governor Wolf, Governor Carney Announce Multi-State Council to Get People Back to Work and Restore the Economy," April 13, 2020.

  • Kevin Smith (New Haven Independent): Kevin Smith, one of the attorneys representing local restaurants in a suit against the state's lockdown policies, wrote to the New Haven Independent that the state's approach violates the Constitution and instills panic.

    "What’s at stake here for [Connecticut] and the country is not whether we are going to take actions to combat Covid, but whether we are going to take action in a way that comports with the constitution and the rational society it undergirds, or whether we are going to allow for an unexamined free for all approach that indulges the worst human instincts and allows panic to rule where reason should." - "Suit Seeks To Quash Emergency Orders," April 7, 2020.

    • Additional reading

  • "Editorial: Virus tracking is necessary for safe exit from lockdown" - The Litchfield County Times, May 6, 2020


Debate over protests in Connecticut

See also: Debate over protests during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on the protests in Connecticut.

  • Libertarian Party of Connecticut (Facebook): The Libertarian Party of Connecticut organized a CT Liberty Rally to oppose the governor's executive orders that have caused disproportionately more harm to small businesses than larger corporations.

    "We believe our citizens have the right to take health & safety precautions themselves, not be forced by executive orders. ... In fact, while certain small businesses are closed, others, mostly larger chains, remained open, giving the open establishments an unfair advantage to adjust safely procedures while still earning revenue." - "Post on April 21, 2020," April 21, 2020.

  • Mayor Luke Bronin (D) (NBC Connecticut): Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin (D) responded to the protests at the State Capitol and the governor's residence arguing that protesters can't dispute the increased number of cases in the area. He also praised the protesters for practicing social distancing by staying in their cars. - "Rally at Governor’s Mansion Protests State Shutdown Amid Coronavirus Pandemic," April 20, 2020.


Debate over medical treatment in Connecticut

See also: Debate over medical treatment during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on medical treatment in Connecticut.


Debate over school closures in Connecticut

See also: Debate over school closures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on school closures in Connecticut.

  • Jennifer Widness, spokeswoman for the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (The Connecticut Mirror): "Colleges are facing enormous uncertainty, even when they have done everything within their power to keep students, employees, and visitors safe. Temporary and targeted liability protections related to the COVID-19 pandemic – at the state or federal level – is needed for institutions of higher ed to re-open this fall" - "Looking toward fall, Connecticut colleges seek shield from COVID-19 lawsuits," June 3, 2020.

  • Governor Ned Lamont (D) (Office of the Governor): "Our colleges and universities are the springboard for so many to launch their careers, and they are an economic engine of the state. And of course it can’t go without saying that Connecticut’s great research universities are working to help bring an end to the current pandemic. Given the heterogeneity of our colleges and universities, one size won’t fit all, which is why we need carefully tailored guidelines for differing parts of this sector. This framework to reopen our higher education institutions is a vital component of our overall plan to reopen Connecticut." - "Governor Lamont Receives Recommendations for a Phased Reopening of Colleges and Universities in Connecticut," May 6, 2020.

  • Connecticut Education Association (Connecticut Education Association): "CEA applauds Governor Lamont for listening to public health experts in his decision to close schools for the remainder of this school year. Making the safety and health of students and staff the top priority will help save lives and prevent the further spread of COVID-19. ... Schools are gathering places for large numbers of students and staff, and are not ordinarily conducive to social distancing. CEA says special accommodations must be made while the pandemic continues to pose a risk." - "CEA Supports Decision to Keep Schools Closed," May 5, 2020.


Debate over religious service restrictions in Connecticut

See also: Debate over religious service restrictions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on religious service restrictions in Connecticut.

  • Rev. Daniel Simons (Connecticut Insider): Rev. Daniel Simons, a pastor at St. Paul's on the Green Episcopal Church, said that his church would not compromise the health of the congregation and will postpone services until it is safe.

    "We mourn the loss of the ability to be together, but we’re not going to risk that. We have a lot of elderly people in our congregation and I’ve been very rigorous about telling them to stay in. We will bring groceries, we will sit on your lawn, but do not come in. I’m going to be fierce in protecting the elders of our congregation and only gather when we’re told it’s truly, truly safe." - "‘It’s unnatural’: Norwalk church mourns deaths of 3 members with coronavirus," April 17, 2020.


Debate over prisons and inmates in Connecticut

See also: Debate over prisons and inmates during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on prisons and inmates in Connecticut.

  • Judge Barbara N. Bellis (Hartford Courant): Judge Barbara N. Bellis dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Connecticut Criminal Defense Lawyers Association because the plaintiff's did not provide sufficient evidence that the Connecticut Department of Corrections was consciously harming the health of inmates.

    "The plaintiffs describe the defendants’ conduct in the amended complaint as ‘commendable, but unfortunately insufficient to comply with their constitutional and statutory obligation to ensure the safety of those in their custody. Allegations that the defendants’ actions have been or will be ‘insufficient’ do not rise to the level of a conscious disregard of an excessive risk to inmate health or safety." - "Lawsuit that called for reduction of Connecticut prison population over coronavirus concerns dismissed," April 24, 2020.

  • Dan Barrett (Connecticut Post): Dan Barrett, legal director of the ACLU of Connecticut and an attorney on a case suing the state to release inmates from prison, argued that inmates should be released quickly because it is a matter of life or death.

    "The COVID-19 pandemic is a critical emergency, and it is rapidly spreading in Connecticut prisons and jails. One person has already died in the Connecticut DOC’s care, and the lives of people living and working in Connecticut prisons are at risk. The court should be moving with the extreme urgency this life or death situation demands." - "Judge could soon rule on lawsuit seeking release of CT inmates due to coronavirus outbreak," April 15, 2020.

  • Assistant Attorney General James Belforti (Connecticut Post): Assistant Attorney General James Belforti defended the state in a lawsuit requesting the release of inmates from state prisons by arguing that the inmates named in the suit have no standing in court and releasing them would circumvent state judicial and executive authority. - "Judge could soon rule on lawsuit seeking release of CT inmates due to coronavirus outbreak," April 15, 2020.


Debate over election policy in Connecticut

See also: Debate over election policies and procedures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on election policies in Connecticut.

  • State Representative Josh Elliott (D-88) (Hartford Courant): State Representative Josh Elliot (D-88) explained in an op-ed that Connecticut needs to expand its election to vote-by-mail by adopting systems used in Oregon, Washington, or Colorado.

    "[O]ur state Constitution only allows someone to get an absentee ballot in specific circumstances — if you have a specific illness, a disability or are going out of town. Oregon, Washington and Colorado have systems Connecticut should look to mirror. ... In those states, they assume people actually want to vote, and as the stewards of the process, they aim to make it easier." - "Coronavirus shows how we need to fix Connecticut’s election system," April 10, 2020.

  • Secretary of State Denise Merrill (D) (News Time): Secretary of State Denise Merrill (D) argued that the state legislature needs to vote to amend the state constitution to allow vote-by-mail because it is safer and convenient for voters. She also urged the state legislature to pass legislation to allow voters to apply for absentee ballots online. - "Opinion: Legislature must act to allow Connecticut voters more access to voting by mail," April 29, 2020.

  • Connecticut Secretary of State Denise Merrill (D) (WTIC-TV FOX61): "No Connecticut voter should have to choose between their health and their right to vote. As America comes together to battle the COVID-19 virus and to ensure voter participation in an election that will be held under difficult circumstances, this suit seeks to harm both efforts in Connecticut." - "Lawsuit filed by CT Republicans challenges expanded absentee voting in upcoming election," June 19, 2020.

  • Gail Berritt, ReSisters, Jonathan Perloe, Voter Choice Connecticut, and Alisa Trachtenberg, Indivisible CT4 (Connecticut Mirror): "While Democratic legislative leaders, and Gov. Lamont, are on record saying they want to take action, it is discouraging that Republican leaders are throwing up roadblocks — turning the concerns of voters into a partisan issue. Achieving a bi-partisan solution, as requested by the governor, is questionable given past Republican opposition to election reform." - "Legislators, allow more absentee voting. Time is of the essence," June 18, 2020.


Debate over executive orders in Connecticut

See also: Debate over executive orders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on executive orders in Connecticut.

  • New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker (NewHavenct.gov): New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker ordered all workers who work in essential retail businesses to wear face coverings while at work and all customers to do the same. He explained that the face coverings do not need to be medical grade and that such masks should be reserved for healthcare workers. - "Emergency Order No. 5 Regarding Required Use of Face Coverings in Public," April 16, 2020.


Debate over parks and outdoors in Connecticut

See also: Debate over parks and outdoors during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on parks and outdoors in Connecticut.


Responses to the coronavirus in Connecticut

See also: Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (Connecticut)
Click the links below for more on responses to the coronavirus pandemic in Connecticut.

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.


See also

Footnotes

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Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
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Federal policy responses • State government responses • Local government responses • Diagnosed or quarantined incumbents, candidates, and officials • State legislative session changes • State legislative responses • State executive orders • Eviction and foreclosure policies • Travel restrictions • School responses (2021-2022) • School responses (2020-2021) • School responses (2019-2020) • State court closures • Stay-at-home order status • States that issued stay-at-home orders • States that did not issue stay-at-home orders • Changes to ballot measure campaigns and policies • Changes to vote-by-mail and absentee voting procedures • Initial key federal official responses • Arguments in support of and opposition to government responses • Lawsuits • Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans to reopen • Unemployment filings • Analysis articles • Paycheck Protection Program • Mask requirements • School budget changes • State budgets • Federal definitions of essential and nonessential businesses • Federal aid to states • Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program • State emergency power authority • Changes to state emergency power authority • Municipal emergency power authority • Halloween guidelines • Vaccine distribution plans • State plans to end federal unemployment • Changes to emergency power laws • Active COVID-19 emergency orders • State vaccine requirement (vaccine passport) policies • Recalls related to the pandemic • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on school responses to the coronavirus • State employee vaccine requirements • Healthcare worker vaccine requirements
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