A Return To Some Sort Of Normal Is Tempting And Closer

Social distancing may be a bit more difficult this weekend with nice weather in the forecast. Old Lyme has already announced its public beaches will be closed until further notice out of social distancing concerns.

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Meteorologist Garett Argianas forecasts a lot of sun and temperatures reaching 70 in the state.

For updates on the status of state parks, follow this Twitter account run by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Here’s the latest on the coronavirus in Connecticut...

By The Numbers

All numbers are as of April 30 at 7:30 p.m.

• 2,257 COVID-19-associated deaths
• 27,700 confirmed cases
  • Fairfield County: 11,294
  • New Haven County: 7,536
  • Hartford County: 5,601
  • Litchfield County: 963
  • Middlesex County: 657
  • New London County: 564
  • Tolland County: 437
  • Windham County: 186
  • Pending address validation: 462
• More than 97,133 people tested

The Latest

• Gov. Ned Lamont says a limited number of businesses, including restaurants, could begin to reopen on May 20 with certain restrictions. Restaurants would be limited to outdoor service only. Other retailers like jewelers and toy stores would have to implement social distancing requirements in their buildings. Museums and zoos may also be able to reopen their outdoor facilities and programs. All of these reopenings would be contingent on testing. Lamont is holding an earlier press briefing today at 10:45 a.m.
• A federal lawsuit was filed by the Connecticut Legal Rights Project to get the state to release inpatient psychiatric patients to protect them from the coronavirus. On the same day, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services announced the death of a patient at Connecticut Valley Hospital. At least 51 patients have contracted the virus at CVH and Whiting Forensic Hospital. 
• The state budget is projected to be in dire straits because of the coronavirus. As the CT Mirror reports, the state could lose $7 billion in revenue by 2023. The rainy day fund will only be able to cover a fraction of that amount -- it has just $2.5 billion in it.

Other Reads On The Coronavirus

• Was the new coronavirus accidentally released from a Wuhan lab? It’s doubtful. - Meg Kelly and Sarah Cahlan for The Washington Post
• The New Saturday Night - Amanda Hess with the introduction for The New York Times
• After 25 Years of Streaming, the World Can't Live Without It - Steven Levy for Wired

A 14/10 Weather Forecast

Many people working from home have pets and kids interrupting them. My good boy Ziggy has been fighting for lap space with my computer all morning long.

When you work on television though, everyone gets to enjoy these interruptions.

Give it up for the good boy.

Stay safe. Stay sane. Stay distant. And enjoy the weather!