A scramble to prevent a wave of evictions, increasing interest in COVID-19 vaccinations, the impact of higher starting wages on long-term employees, Connecticut recommendations on indoor masking, and a call to support “Connecticut Grown” products are among the top business news items this morning.
National
Democratic leaders in Congress are calling on President Joe Biden to extend the eviction moratorium after it expired at midnight on Saturday, potentially putting millions of people at risk of losing their housing. Biden said he would not extend the moratorium after a Supreme Court ruling suggested that congressional action would be necessary for this action, and Congress was unable to pass legislation on the matter before the deadline arrived.
The spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 has reversed a slowdown in vaccinations, as residents in areas experiencing outbreaks of the virus due to significant unvaccinated populations are seeking a shot. Nearly all states are seeing more people coming in for their first dose, with the overall number up 31 percent from the previous week.
Business trends
Businesses are facing wage compression challenges as they raise the salaries for entry-level and starting employees, putting them closer to the pay for long-term employees. The situation is creating more pressure to update pay scales and compensation, especially as more employees are quitting to look for better opportunities elsewhere.
Connecticut
Updating its recommendations, the Connecticut Department of Public Health is urging all Connecticut residents over the age of two to resume indoor masking. The Centers for Disease Control has updated its guidance to encourage mask wearing at indoor public locations in any county with a substantial or high risk of COVID-19 transmission, and all Connecticut counties except Litchfield County are now considered to pose a substantial risk of transmission.
Governor Ned Lamont is encouraging residents to purchase goods from local farms during National Farmers Market Week, which runs from Aug. 1 to 7. Lamont said the state’s agricultural industry generates $4 billion in economic impact and supports 21,000 jobs, with products certified as Connecticut Grown available at more than 200 farms and farm stands.
