Getting back to it

After two months of staying at home, we've all felt the urge to get out of the house, even if it's just a simple errand or needed task.

For me, that has usually meant either taking the dog for a walk, or occasionally going to the mail or the shopping market. But in the past two days, I ran three errands, including a quick shop for food. It seems mundane, but when it comes to daily-life errands outside of the house, that's a quarantine record for me. Not every weekend will require that of course, but I took it as a note of progress, that I felt comfortable with doing that level of activity outside the home if needed — while taking along my mask and following other precautions. Most places I went to had signage at least encouraging six feet of social distancing, a term we’re all familiar with now.

That said, comfort level will vary among shoppers and businesses during this reopening phase. This week in Vermont, that situation will be put to the test, as retail businesses open up under state restrictions. Not all retail shops will reopen on Monday, but some will, and others will take days until they are ready to open up safely. This will be gauged in several other sectors on Friday, when hotels, marinas and campgrounds will get the green light to reopen in Vermont.

The takeaway is that reopening the economy is unpredictable; we have never been here before. But if precautions are still followed by the public, and we continue to help one another in our communities, the way forward is lighted with progress. Even the smallest act of kindness carries great meaning for people, and Vermonters know how powerful we are together. We are likely headed into a different kind of future, but together, we are poised to rebuild this economy. 

— Gareth Henderson 

Important week ahead

Vermonters are about to head into a big week, with Monday being the first day in-person retail businesses can open their doors to the public again.

Though that reopening comes with restrictions, it is a day many businesses have eagerly anticipated after two months of shutdown. Lost income from having no foot traffic has put a deep strain on many budgets, and store owners are eager to get some traffic moving, especially with Memorial Day weekend coming up. Even with the 25-percent occupancy limit, any additional business will help these shops make progress.

There is also the social side of the equation. Here in Vermont, local shop owners are also our friends and neighbors. It will be joyful and reassuring for customers to visit with the store owners they haven’t seen in person for weeks, even while social distancing.

For the most part, it appears Vermonters have been following the precautions the state recommends. If that weren’t true, Vermont wouldn’t have the lowest coronavirus growth rate in the U.S. So, let’s pave the way for more reopenings and continue to follow those precautions. Different sectors are gradually getting back to work, and we will stay on that path by being united for the greater good.

— Gareth Henderson

Another milestone

The big news on Friday was that Vermont now has the lowest corona virus growth rate in the country.

That progress spurred Gov. Phil Scott to announce he will allow hotels, campgrounds and marinas to open next week, though with some restrictions. For example, hotels will be asked to limit gatherings to 10 people, and they can’t book more than 25 percent of their capacity.

Also at Friday’s press briefing, Scott extended to June 15 the state’s emergency order, now called “Be smart, stay safe.” By June 1, he said, Vermont is likely to open up outdoor seating at restaurants and close-contact businesses like hair salons, as well as increase the gathering limit to 25 people.

The governor noted the state’s emergency order still encourages Vermonters to wear masks and practice social distancing.

“While our trends remain promising, we know we’re not out of the woods yet,” Scott cautioned.

Today’s announcement about Vermont progress against COVID-19 was encouraging. It was proof that many Vermonters have taken recommended precautions seriously, and that makes a difference.

But, as we go into another weekend in which small outdoor gatherings are permitted, and the economy is gradually opening up again, we should remember the importance of community-mindedness. That means not only adhering to state guidelines, but also welcoming, helping and appreciating others — wherever they may be from. We are truly one people, here and across the country, with a deep, innate desire to help one another. That state of being is so natural for us, and there’s no better time to let that shine.

— Gareth Henderson

Message of strength

A message that rings true for Vermont came from one of our neighboring states today as it grapples with COVID-19.
Mayor Bill De Blasio of New York City spoke of NYC’s resilience after 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy as proof that it will come back from the pandemic “as a stronger and better city.” He noted their strength has been tested many times, and the city has persevered.
“What has been clear throughout is that what we have here is eternal,” De Blasio said. “What we have built in this city over generations is much bigger and much stronger than has ever been realized.”
Vermont is built with that same kind of fortitude and unshakable, enduring resolve. We have seen kindness shine through and sustain us, even in the darkest hours. The love and compassion that has steadied us through the COVID-19 crisis has been seen before — the response to Tropical Storm being the most recent example — and with our lasting strength as a people, we again rise to the challenge.
To be clear, this crisis is unmatched in its breadth and impact. No state has ever seen its equal. However, Vermont will also emerge “stronger and better” from the pandemic. The indomitable strength of our communities requires it, and we will persevere once again.

— Gareth Henderson

Pressing on

Though many thousands of unemployment claims have cleared the pipeline in Vermont, some applicants have yet to see that much-needed check during the pandemic. 

Lawmakers continue to hear from, and follow up with, constituents whose claims haven't been processed. As of Tuesday morning, there were at least 10,000 Vermonters in that category, according to Rep. Charlie Kimbell, who represents Woodstock, Reading and Plymouth. Many of these applicants have more complicated claims, Kimbell explained, such as those who were employed part-time but also had their own business. Others applied to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program for self-employed individuals, rolled out three weeks ago in Vermont, and haven't received benefits. Most haven't seen income in two months. 

"If they haven't gotten a check by now, they're desperate," Kimbell said. "Most people don't have more than 30 days in the bank." 

Some are contending with technological hurdles, said Windsor County Sen. Alice Nitka of Ludlow. She knew of one man who relied on the local library for his internet connection when he had to file for unemployment in the past, but, of course, the library is closed. The only technology he has is a flip phone. Overall, many are filing for the first time.

"It's just incredible frustration, sadness and worry," Nitka said. 

As these claims remain, there is a group of lawmakers trying to help directly, according to Kimbell. About 25 lawmakers have formed a legislative action team, which is working with the Department of Labor to get answers for claimants and find solutions. Kimbell, who is not with the group, said the action team took about 2,000 referrals from constituents and, as of Tuesday, had managed to resolve about half of those claims. 

Despite these difficult situations, it is reassuring to learn about the lawmakers who are taking a more direct role in helping with questions about applications. Hopefully, their efforts will help resolve even more claims in the coming days. The Department of Labor is continuing to add call center workers as they try to address claims more quickly. 

Within our systems of government and without, it is comforting to know there are still Vermonters out there trying to help people make it through these difficult times. Our communities have answered the call, and they continue to do so. The efforts of tireless volunteers with food shelves, senior centers and other organizations all over the state have been inspiring. Kind people are there to help their neighbors, including those still awaiting the assistance they urgently need. We'll press on as a community — no one has to go it alone. 

— Gareth Henderson

Thriving creatively

Morgan Hill creates paper-mache vases in Woodstock, Vermont. (Courtesy Photo)

Visions of vases had crossed Morgan Hill's mind before, but had never materialized — until now.

Hill, a New York-based designer, is back in her hometown of Woodstock, Vermont, working on a creative venture that took off during the current shutdown: large, paper-mache vases, with bright colors and an eye-catching design.

Until now, her creative life has been in New York City, where she has lived for the past five years. But in mid-March she opted to leave NYC, which was quickly becoming the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak. Hill remembers wearing a bandana for a face-covering as an Uber driver, donning a mask, took her to Penn Station. There had been no government orders there at the time, but the city's mood was changing.

“It felt like I was escaping,” she said.

Hill, who formerly worked for Diane von Furstenberg, was most recently working for Circus by Sam Edelman — a younger, edgier spin-off of the well-known shoe brand. Soon after she got back to Vermont and started her two-week quarantine, she was furloughed. Hill had planned to have a couple hobbies on the side.

“I decided to make the hobbies a full-time gig,” she said.

Her parents' house became her new studio — sparking creative thought with paint and supplies collected from years of artistic experiments. That led to a new claim to fame: large, 24-inch paper-mache vases. Hill began making them in mid-March, posted them to Instagram, and sales soon followed. She is now taking commissions.

“In the first wave I sent out, a lot of people said, ‘I know you sold this vase to this person I know. How do I get one?”

For a brief time, Hill pivoted back to making jewelry, a longtime passion of hers. But the Instagram feedback was clear: The people wanted more vases.

Now without the daily grind of city life, Hill finds herself with more time to test the bounds of the artist's palette. The last time she had a chance to explore a new artistic medium, she was in college.

“I’d been building up all these ideas I’d never been able to execute,” Hill said.

Aside from vases, she has also been creating purses with the same technique, but is working out some technicalities on those. She's not stopping there.

“I’ve been wanting to do a lot more home objects, lamps and bowls, maybe side tables,” she said. “Actual furniture would be great. We’ll see how long this quarantine lasts.”

Find out more about Hill's work at her website, www.morganfhill.com, or look for @morganfhill on Instagram.

— Gareth Henderson

The next big step

Downtown White River Junction, Vermont, is shown in early April. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After nearly two months of no foot traffic, Vermont retail businesses got some good news on Monday.

Gov. Phil Scott announced that in-person retail would be allowed to reopen in Vermont on May 18, though initially with restrictions. All employees must wear a facial covering and use social distancing of six feet. Stores also may not have more than 25 percent of their legal occupancy. COVID-19 safety training is also required for workers.

Scott said even though the data shows the state is making headway, Vermonters should still keep up recommended precautions, especially as neighboring states grapple with far more cases.

“Even as we continue to reopen, I urge Vermonters not to let up on physical distancing, washing your hands, staying home when ill, limiting travel, wearing masks when around others, because it’s due to those types of precautions and the sacrifices Vermonters have made ... that we can continue to slowly reopen,” Scott said at a press conference Monday.

The pace of reopening is too fast for some, too slow for others, as the governor has often repeated. But nearly two months after the initial stay-at-home order, shop owners are hugely feeling the financial pinch of the shutdown, and officials are feeling an urgency to revive the economy. Today’s announcement was a logical next step in that direction.

Those stores that have done curb-side pick up already have sanitizing protocols in place, and other shops will make those arrangements in time. Though the comfort level among consumers may vary, most Vermonters will want to get out and support those able to reopen. This will be the next phase of the continued community effort to emerge from this crisis successfully. Let’s be there for our neighbors, as we’ve always been. Together, we can’t be overtaken. Our determination will lead us forward.

— Gareth Henderson

Paths converge

Different paths brought us all to where we are now, quite literally. For me, the shutdown has meant staying right here at home in Vermont, where I had already been in the run-up to the state’s stay-at-home order in late March. Many of us saw it coming. 

But for others, it meant staying here indefinitely, postponing that return to home in New York, Boston or points beyond — after extending their weekend stay in Vermont became the safer option. Some ventured north shortly after the state order came down; others are heading this way for the summer, soon. 

It’s important to note: Vermont has seen visitors from out of state for decades. Some have become full-timers, while others have kept a second home here for many years and have also contributed greatly to the community. Obviously what’s new in this situation is, we have a pandemic. That has produced a fear of those coming in from the cities, often the hardest-hit areas. Some feel this more strongly than others, but everyone has seen this expressed. 

Now, the root of that feeling is understandable, given the news reports from other parts of the country. But that is not what matters most. What really counts, is what we do after we feel that first tinge of fear. In that situation, I would appeal to our natural inclination as a community, to treat everyone with love and humanity no matter where they’re from. That kindness has spread through every city and town, through neighbors helping neighbors, and all can be embraced by it. 

To be clear: Everyone should follow the rules the state has laid out. Anyone crossing into Vermont must self-quarantine for 14 days, regardless of their license plate color. That reinforces the idea that to make progress as a community, we all must stick together. It is up to all of us to meet this challenge, as one.

As we move forward, the state keeps reporting progress against COVID-19, and so far this spring, the restrictions have been loosened a little more every week. The most important driver of continued progress, is how we respond as a community — specifically, how we help one another. We can extend that feeling of inclusion to all of our neighbors. We’re here in the same community, and we should take the path ahead together.

— Gareth Henderson

Appreciation

Teachers Colleen O’Connell, left, and Michelle Fountain get loud cheers and big thank-you poster from the Hiller family as the Teacher Appreciation Week parade departs Woodstock Union High School in Woodstock, Vermont, on Friday. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Much has changed this school year, but the community of Woodstock, Vermont, was determined to celebrate its teachers and staff during Teacher Appreciation Week, despite the pandemic. And they found a way.

Parents from the elementary, middle and high school levels joined together and lined up their cars to create a special parade on Friday evening, with cars starting at the high school, going through the village, and back. Balloons and grateful signage of different colors adorned the vehicles, with smiling faces enjoying the occasion. Organizers asked everyone to stay in their cars, and anyone who had to get out of their vehicle during prep time was asked to wear a mask.

As cars departed the high school for the 6 p.m. start, high school teachers Colleen O'Connell and Michelle Fountain stood near the school's entrance, waiving to cars passing by. Car horns honked, and excited students and parents cheered and greeted them from a distance. It was the first time the teachers had seen the students face to face in weeks.

"Just to see a couple of them, not on a Zoom screen," Fountain said, describing what she loved most about the occasion.

That goes to the heart of the first thing people missed in self-isolation: in-person connections. It's also a testament to our indomitable spirit — obstacles appear, but we overcome them and express our unity through love and kindness. We'll gradually make our way back to the interactions we're missing, but for now, let's keep maintaining connections and showing appreciation for the great work that's happening in the community, though it may be from afar. Much appreciation to our educators, for continuing their great work and perseverance amid the profound challenges faced by many students and families. Their leadership has made a mountain of difference.

— Gareth Henderson