Senior center eyes reopening

The Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock, Vermont, has been holding bingo by phone for some time now, and one of the big topics of late, not surprisingly, has been getting vaccinated for COVID-19. 

Deanna Jones, the center’s executive director, remembered a recent discussion in one of the bingo calls, with one of the ladies who had just gotten her second shot. At the site where she got her second dose, others had done so, as well. A great sense of relief was in the air.

“She said people were jumping, high-fiving and so glad; it was like a celebration as people were coming out of the vaccination site,” Jones said. “It was really clear who had been vaccinated already.” 

Like senior centers throughout the region, The Thompson has been closed to in-person activities due to the pandemic, while holding some activities or events over the phone or online. The state of Vermont recently announced senior centers can start reopening for group activities, but The Thompson Senior Center is waiting until all staff are fully vaccinated. Another key factor is the spacing requirement for such organizations in Vermont: one person per 100 square feet. 

Right now, Jones said the goal is to reopen for in-person activities around June 1, with some capacity restrictions. 

“We'll be opening our tent for outside group programs at that time as well as activities indoors that meet capacity guidelines,” Jones said. 

Looking forward into May, The Thompson Senior Center will continue its curbside meals, online programs, and will still do one-on-one services, such as foot care (the nurse administering that program has been vaccinated). Virtual programs planned for May include the spring tea, intergenerational programs, and a private tour with Art in Bloom from the Museum of Fine Art, arranged through the Woodstock Garden Club.

Per the state’s reopening plan, senior centers will switch to the state’s “universal guidance” after July 4. That guidance has no capacity limits and requires basic precautions like masks and six-foot social distancing. 

No senior center in the state has opened yet for congregate dining, according to Jones, who is also co-chair of the Vermont Association for Senior Centers and Meal Providers. Jones said she and her staff at The Thompson are also keeping a close eye on case numbers.

“We will continue to proceed with caution and monitor the current active cases in our area, even as restrictions ease,” Jones said.   

As of Friday, the state’s overall COVID-19 caseload remained steady, while the 7-day case average continued to trend downward. That daily average was 140 at the end of last week. On Monday, the state reported 93 new cases. Vermonter’s positivity rate has remained at 1.9%, one of the lowest in the country. 

On the vaccine front, the state recently surpassed 50% of its adult population having received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine. Over one-third of adult Vermonters are fully vaccinated.

It’s been a very long year, Jones said, but the community has gotten the senior center through these tough times, with lots of volunteering and other support. For example, the Woodstock Farmers’ Market raised $8,700 for the senior center through its “Round Up” campaign. Whenever things were particularly discouraging, something wonderful would happen that lifted their spirits, Jones recalled.

“In so many ways, our community stepped up to support us and keep us going,” she said.

— Gareth Henderson

Vt. vaccination rate among seniors is highest in U.S.

Sun shines through the trees by the Ottauquechee River in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont's vaccination rate among people over age 65 is the highest in the U.S., standing at 85%, state officials said Friday in their COVID-19 update.

With that, Vermont is planning to allow adult day centers to open soon.

“Adult day centers and senior centers are vital providers in our aging services network,” said Human Services Secretary Mike Smith at Friday's press briefing. “With most older Vermonters now vaccinated, we are now ready to allow these centers to re-open for group activities such as exercise, the arts and social groups."

Masks and social distancing will still be required, and Smith said many centers will operate at reduced capacities.

Though much anticipated for Friday, the unveiling of the state's "blueprint" to ease statewide restrictions has been delayed a week. Overall, Gov. Phil Scott urged Vermonters to still mask up and practice social distancing, noting the work isn't over.

"Regardless of our success, we still have some work to do over the next four weeks when everyone is eligible, because even though we've protected those at the greatest risk of hospitalization and death, increased cases can still cause disruption in the classroom, at the office, or on the job site," the governor said. Vermont plans to have all its adult residents vaccine-eligible by April 19.

Friday's news came at a time when Vermont has seen a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in the past couple of weeks, especially among younger age groups. This pattern has been true of other New England states as well.

In his weekly data update, Mike Pieciak, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation, said among the more troubling regional signs have been the increase in hospitalizations seen in Massachusetts and Connecticut. In the past, such trends have led to a regional rise in hospitalizations and also deaths, he noted.

"But with much progress being made with the vaccination programs in Vermont and across the other Northeast states, we hope to see a change in that progression (in cases) in the weeks ahead," Pieciak said.

To date, over 40% of all Vermonters over age 16 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and about 80% of school employees statewide have been vaccinated.

Scott acknowledged how tired people are of following the public health guidance for over a year. The governor, a longtime stock car racer, said he thinks of the current situation in terms of racing, and how important it is to keep following the path that leads to a win, especially near the end.

"I've been in some long races, and when there's 10 to go, and if I'm doing fairly well or leading the race, and there's a caution, I don't take those caution laps and take off my helmet and release my five-point harness," Scott said. "I buckle up, I actually get back into control, I pay attention and focus on the last 10 laps, and that's where I feel like we are right now. As tired as you are of going through this and all the restrictions and everything that comes along with it, now's not the time to let up."

— Gareth Henderson