Faced with a late afternoon rolling rally and even a lawsuit challenging his executive order on protective masks, Gov. Ned Lamont reminded the public that social distancing is making a dent in the impact of COVID-19.
"Executive orders and the social distancing, thanks to the amazing people of the State of Connecticut, are working, and we're beginning to bend the curve, at least in the southern part of the state," he said during his Monday news conference, "This is no time to take our eye off the ball."
In one of many protests around the country inspired, in part, by President Trump's calls for states to "reopen" their economies, more than fifty vehicles, some honking their horns, took a slow speed tour of Hartford, passing by the Capitol and the Governor's Residence.
Last week, Greenwich attorney Lindy Urso filed a federal lawsuit against the state, claiming that Gov. Lamont's Executive Order No. 7BB violates the U.S. Constitution. The order requires individuals to wear cloth masks when in public and in close vicinity of others.
Monday, state Attorney General William Tong issued a video statement, defending the constitutionality of that order and criticizing protestors and "the political leaders fomenting this unrest" (presumably President Trump):
"This isn't just about you. You are putting people at risk. Please. Follow the executive orders, not because it's the right thing to do, but because it's the law."
The Libertarian Party of Connecticut organized the rolling protest. Party chairman Dan Reale says, "Gov. Lamont has overstepped his authority and he's gone way too far and he's done innumerable unconstitutional things and it's time for Connecticut to be free."
THE LATEST COVID-19 REPORT FROM CONNECTICUT DPH
--204 additional deaths (not all in the last 24 hours; the governor says the high number is a result of new CDC guidelines on reporting); 1,331 total dead statewide
--19,815 total known cases (first case was confirmed March 8)
--1,919 hospitalized