Hi,
At Jainchill & Beckert, we believe, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly urges, masks can save lives. So this month we're taking another look at this small, but powerful, piece of PPE and sharing a trick we learned. Masks will be around for a while, at least until a vaccine has been approved and administered.
But it looks like one is on the horizon. A preliminary analysis of Pfizer-BioNTech’s mRNA vaccine suggested it was 90% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID disease. These are early findings (the trial is ongoing as of this writing), but they are indeed positive. A great sign!
Wishing you safety and health,
Aaron Jainchill and Bill Beckert
Attorneys at Law
Personal Injury • Criminal Defense • Workers' Comp
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"We are fighters who work to ensure that our clients are informed and empowered, so that we can achieve an outcome that provides peace of mind." |
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We're thinking of our brave and selfless military this week. Veterans, your sacrifice for our country, and for our freedom, can never be repaid.
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JB Law Spotlight: Jennifer Coston |
We recently celebrated the birthday of one of our exceptional team members – Associate Attorney Jennifer Coston. Jen serves many roles at Jainchill & Beckert, handling real estate transactions and depositions. If she’s not buried in legal research at our Plainville office, Jen's most likely at the courthouse or at a property closing. She worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and continues to do so.
Jen is a tremendous asset to the Jainchill & Beckert team and we're very grateful to have her.
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Masks are important, but so is vision |
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Glasses fogging up while wearing a mask is more than an annoying problem – it could also be a safety hazard. Navigating an uneven sidewalk or a slippery grocery store floor can result in a slip and fall at any time. Our nation's $494 billion grocery store industry spends approximately $450 million annually to defend slip and fall claims. (NFSI) Add foggy eyewear to that equation and your chances of getting injured significantly increase.
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How to keep your glasses from fogging up |
We like this simple method to prevent your glasses from fogging up. It comes from the medical journal Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. The method is used by doctors, and if it's good enough for the emergency room, it should be good enough for the grocery store.
Before putting on your glasses:
1. Wet your lenses and lather with soap
2. Rinse your glasses under warm water
3. Gently dry your glasses with a clean towel or lens cloth
The soap and water act as protection and reduce surface tension on the lenses. It allows the water molecules from your breath to distribute evenly, rather than cluster on your lenses in a way that makes it difficult to see. Now you're ready to hit the grocery store!
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Diners can now return to their "igloo" |
Have you seen those clear tents outside restaurants? The ones that look like igloos? They were abruptly shut down a week ago. But now the state has approved them, along with new guidelines to ensure proper ventilation and safety.
The Connecticut Restaurant Association recently announced that enclosed outdoor structures had been approved for restaurant use. Tents are required to have adequate ventilation of fresh air being brought in and inside air being exhausted.
“Maximizing the amount of fresh air through intake fans, vents, windows and openings is highly recommended,” the CRA wrote. Structures that lack the ability to ventilate outside will not be permitted.
Among the other guidelines:
- Entry door and two or more window-style vents must be open at all times, and there must be sanitization of all touchpoints in between parties.
- The guidelines suggest touchless service, where a restaurant server does not enter the structure.
- Restaurants must post signage to inform customers of the heightened risk of enclosed spaces, and that vents should remain open at all times.
“The CRA is appreciative of the governor and his administration for working with us to provide a set of guidelines that allows Connecticut restaurants to use these enclosed outdoor structures,” said executive director Scott Dolch. “These unique dining experiences are a safe and warm alternative for guests as the weather begins to turn colder. Our goal as an association is to continue to provide solutions that will help our industry survive these challenging times, while also leading the way in safety and sanitation.”
Thank you, CRA and the restaurants in our community, for working hard so we can stay safe while continuing to dine out.
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Did you know... the first U.S. law school started in a Litchfield living room? |
Tapping Reeve, an American lawyer, judge and law educator, started the first law school in the United States, Litchfield Law School, in his living room in 1784. Reeve, with his partner James Gould, revolutionized the way law was taught in this country, educating over 1,000 students who became leaders in law, politics, education and business.
Reeve’s first student was his brother-in-law, Aaron Burr, who eventually became a Founding Father and the third vice president of the United States during President Thomas Jefferson’s first term (1801-1805). Burr’s role in leadership, however, would be overshadowed when he killed fellow Founding Father Alexander Hamilton in an 1804 duel and charges of treason were brought against him in 1807. (If you are one of the over 2.6 million people who saw Hamilton: An American Musical, you probably already knew all of this.)
The number of students grew and Reeve was forced to construct a new building next to his home. In 1798, when he was appointed as a Superior Court judge, he invited James Gould to be his partner in running the school. From 1798 through 1833, many of the students at the Litchfield Law School would go on to play a significant role in the foundations of American democracy. According to the Law Library of Connecticut State, the school spawned: two vice presidents, 101 congressmen, 28 senators, six cabinet members, three justices of the US Supreme Court, 14 governors and 13 chief justices of state supreme courts. Many more graduates held important political positions, became business and financial leaders or went on to establish law schools of their own.
The Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School still stand and are operated by the Litchfield Historical Society. When the buildings safely reopen, we suggest a visit to get a glimpse of what it was like to be a law student in the 19th century.
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"Attorney Beckert and his paralegal Jeanette were amazing to work with. They provided good, clear, and concise communication. They managed expectations very thoroughly. I have to say they are some of the best lawyers around! If you're looking for someone to treat you fairly, and like family, give them a call!"
– Jerry W.
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JAINCHILL | BECKERT, LLC
Personal Injury • Criminal Defense • Workers' Comp
144 West Main Street
Plainville, CT 06062
Phone: 860-351-3552
Fax: 860-351-5442
www.jblawct.com
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