As Black Friday creeps up on Connecticut this week, the Governor has reminded store managers to be cautious that shoppers remain a safe distance apart on Black Friday. Lamont described it as a "black COVID cloud". Here's what Lamont told Hearst Connecticut Media at the annual meeting of the Connecticut Retail Merchants Association during a web conference.

I really urge you to be strict. I'm doing everything I can to keep retail open. But if we get a lot of noise that places are crowded, people aren't wearing the mask, people are getting casual, keeping things open is going to be a risk.

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Yes, I will admit, I am a staunch advocate of wearing a mask. From the website usafacts.org, on November 22, 2020, there were 101,469 cases reported in CT and 4,828 deaths. In Fairfield County, Connecticut, according to hartfordhealthcare.org, there are 33,648 cases reported and 1,411 deaths. Obviously, the coronavirus' recovery rate far surpasses the death rate, but I'm asking you to consider the following scenario.

If that video doesn't scare the living bejesus out of you, nothing I say or anyone else can say will sway your beliefs about what the coronavirus can do to you or a loved one. The thought of canceling upcoming plans for holiday get-togethers with your family and friends is unthinkable. I can't believe I'm saying this, but NOT gathering with loved ones over the holidays until this pandemic is under control is, in my opinion, one of the best gifts of all.   

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