Traditions keep returning
Continued reopenings, such as that of a local senior center, are further signs of a state heading toward normalcy. Also, Gov. Phil Scott says Vermont is "days away" from lifting all pandemic restrictions.
People enjoy the Thompson Senior Center’s first in-person lunch in over a year on Tuesday. (Deanna Jones Photo)
A good meal and conversation is one of the favorite pastimes at the Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock, Vermont, and that tradition returned Tuesday after more than a year of no dining inside at the community hub.
It was reopening day for the center, and the daily lunch in the dining room started up again, by reservation. Ten guests and four staff members enjoyed the meal together.
"It was just nice to see people again," said Deanna Jones, the center's executive director. "They've been waiting. 'Finally, the day has come', is what I kept hearing."
New tables and chairs graced the room, thanks to recent fundraising, and fresh paint and a new floor completed the dining room's new look. Through the month of June, lunch is Monday-Thursday 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Curbside lunch pick-up is still available this month.
Also through June, people will be asked to wear masks into the senior center, which they can then remove once they sit down to their meal or activity. There's a hand sanitizing station at the door, and health-screening questions will be asked via computer.
Some people, especially if they live far away, may continue to take part in bingo or other events by phone — and that option will be there in a hybrid model.
"We'll still keep these things virtual so that people are engaged," Jones said.
In Woodstock, this reopening was further proof of a state's progress toward normalcy. At nearly 78% of eligible Vermonters vaccinated against COVID-19, the state is that much closer to meeting its goal of 80%, at which time the state will lift all pandemic restrictions. Gov. Phil Scott said Vermont is “days away” from hitting that mark.
Also at Tuesday’s press conference, Scott noted the many positive impacts of the vaccine, including the fact that Vermont is the only state with no COVID-related deaths reported in the past two weeks. Also, the state had three hospitalizations due to the virus as of Tuesday morning — a six-month low for Vermont.
But the governor emphasized “we’re not resting on our laurels,” saying the state continues to make efforts to get the vaccine to as many people as possible. This week, there are over 100 walk-in vaccine clinics statewide, one of them taking place in Woodstock this Thursday, June 3. That clinic, which offers the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, is at the Woodstock Inn’s administrative building parking lot, located at 9 Cross Street from 1 to 3 p.m.
On Tuesday, Courtney Lowe, vice president of marketing and business development at the Woodstock Inn & Resort, said the inn hosted a clinic on May 14 and asked for — and received — this chance to hold another one. Walk-in opportunities have been a key part of improving access to the vaccine, officials have said.
“The convenience factor has proven effective in the state, so we are delighted to make it easier for our employees and community to be able to access the vaccine right here in the Village,” Lowe said.
Check out this link for the latest on Vermont’s vaccination progress.
— Gareth Henderson
Vt. vaccine sign-ups expand to ages 16-18
As of today, the state of Vermont has opened up COVID-19 vaccine appointments for people ages 16-18, in an effort to accelerate the vaccination of the high-school population. All Vermonters age 16 and older become eligible Monday.
Cars roll along Route 4 by the Ottauquechee River in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
Friday was a day with important news to announce, but the state of Vermont’s press briefing wasn’t all formality. There was a moment of levity in the question-and-answer session, when a reporter asked about the state’s catchy phrases, “Six-Foot Spaces, Masks On Faces, Uncrowded Places,” meant to promote public health guidance. Tom Davis, of Compass Vermont, wondered whether Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine was the creator of those rhymes.
“The answer is ‘no,’” Levine said, sporting a wide grin. “It takes a village to come up with things that are that powerful, and we have an excellent communication and marketing team who all contribute to that effort.”
“So it’s a product of Vermont?” Davis asked. Levine quickly confirmed, “Oh I would say. Yes.”
The more serious remarks focused in part on a change in COVID-19 vaccine eligibility. As of today, Vermonters ages 16-18 can sign up, as the state looks to accelerate the vaccination of the high-school population. All people age 16 and older become eligible Monday.
On Friday, Gov. Phil Scott announced the change, noting his priority of getting kids back to school. Pfizer is the only COVID vaccine approved for 16-18-year-olds.
“This step will help give those kids the opportunity to register for Pfizer doses two days early — which is their only option at this time — and possibly enjoy the end of the school year in a much more normal way,” Scott said.
Those younger than 18 will need to have a parent or guardian help them complete the registration. Vaccination appointments can be made by going to healthvermont.gov/myvaccine or calling 855-722-7878.
The governor also offered an update from federal officials on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. On a federal recommendation, Vermont paused administration of that vaccine this past week. Health experts are looking into six cases of rare a blood-clotting issue which occurred after taking the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. None of the cases are in Vermont.
On Friday, Scott said administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Vermont will be paused for another week. This is to give health experts time to further investigate the issue, as about half of available Johnson & Johnson doses were administered in the past few weeks.
“They’ll be meeting again next week, where they will learn more and hopefully we’ll be able to return to distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine very soon,” Scott said. Further guidance from the federal government may not be available until late this coming week.
Though all adult Vermonters will be vaccine-eligible soon, Scott urged people to continue to follow the public health guidance, including mask-wearing and social distancing.
“It’s still important that folks follow the guidelines in place,” he said. “Doing so will help get us back to normal faster, help get our kids back to school, and more.”
— Gareth Henderson
Vt. unveils vaccine eligibility dates, eases bar restrictions
The state of Vermont has unveiled how it plans to make all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine before May 1.
A scenic view of the Ottauquechee River in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
The state of Vermont has unveiled how it plans to make all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine before May 1.
On Friday, Gov. Phil Scott announced the scheduling of the final age groups for vaccine eligibility, and he also announced another change in Vermont’s statewide guidance for businesses. As of Wednesday, bars and social clubs will be able to operate at 50% capacity, with restrictions.
Scott reminded the public that it’s still crucial to follow the basic public health guidance, like masking and social distancing.
“We’ve got to stay united in order to get through this with the fewest lives lost and emerge stronger than we were before,” he said.
In one month, all Vermonters over age 16 will be able to register for vaccine appointments, and based on expected supply from the federal government, the state aims to have all eligible people immunized by the end of June.
The next age group, Vermonters age 60 and over, will be eligible for appointments as of March 25. Currently, the 65+ age group, and those 16 and older with specified high risk health conditions, are eligible.
The entire upcoming schedule is as follows, with the age groups and when eligibility begins:
60+ : March 25
50+ : March 29
40+ : April 5
30+ : April 12
16+ : April 19
With this approach and a steady supply of doses, Scott said the Fourth of July should look more normal, and graduating high school seniors could possibly have a “more traditional graduation.”
“After seeing the second half of your junior year, and now your senior year, turned upside down, you deserve it, and we’re going to do everything we can to make it happen,” Scott said at his Friday press conference.
Officials emphasized that the age-group eligibility dates represent the date registration opens for each group. The length of the entire process will vary, but Vermonters can expect it to take up to two months from the time you register to the point where you are considered to be fully vaccinated. This includes the anticipated time between registration and the date of your first appointment, the time between the first and last dose, and the two weeks needed after a last dose for it to be at maximum effectiveness.
Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said the long-awaited reality of many more people being able to get their vaccine is a significant step forward. At the same time, he cautioned Vermonters that with variant strains of the highly transmissible virus being identified in Vermont, prevention and testing must still be a priority.
“To really find our way out of this pandemic, along with registering for vaccination as soon as your age band opens, we must all continue to follow the very simple, but critically important guidance of masks, distancing and cautious travel,” Levine said in a statement. “This is the only way to stay ahead in the race. Through prevention, testing and vaccination, we can achieve a level of community immunity that will bring us out of this pandemic. We can cross the ‘public health finish line’ sooner, together.”
To date, more than 161,000 Vermonters have already received at least one dose of vaccine, representing about 30% of the 16 and older population.
Also on Friday, the governor announced updates to COVID-19 guidance for bars and social clubs, like American Legions and VFWs. These establishments are being moved under the state’s restaurant guidance, which will allow them to reopen within that sector’s current restrictions. These include operating at 50% capacity, requiring patrons to be seated at tables with a maximum of six per table, six feet of distance between parties, masking and more. Municipalities will be able to place more restrictions on these establishments in their jurisdictions.
— Gareth Henderson
Biden signs relief bill; sets vaccine eligibility deadline
In his first prime-time address to the nation, Biden ordered states to make all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by May 1.
A view from Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
U.S. President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill into law on Thursday, paving the way for $1,400 direct payments to start going out this week. Biden followed that up with some major announcements that same evening.
In his first prime-time address to the nation, Biden ordered states to make all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by May 1. The U.S. plans to up its current number of daily vaccinations from 1 million to over 2 million, the president said. He also spoke of his stated goal to get 100 million Americans vaccinated in his first 100 days in office.
“Tonight, I can say we're not only going to meet that goal; we're going to beat that goal," Biden said. That mark will be reached by his 60th day in office, he added.
With the vaccination process ahead of schedule, Biden anticipated Americans being able to celebrate the Fourth of July in small gatherings.
“That will make this Independence Day something truly special, where we not only mark our independence as a nation, we begin to mark our independence from this virus,” Biden said.
The $1.9 trillion relief package includes more funding for vaccination efforts, aid for school reopenings and assistance for businesses, among other items. It also extends federal jobless benefits of $300 per week into early September, includes an expansion of the child tax credit of up to $3,600 per child, and supplies $350 billion in state and local aid. About 90% of households will see the $1,400 direct payments.
On Thursday night, Biden acknowledged it had been a year since lockdowns took hold in America. Even with the progress on the vaccination front, Biden noted, it’s still important for everyone to follow the public health guidance of masking, frequent hand-washing and social distancing. He said the battle against COVID is “far from over”, and it will take everyone’s efforts to get the country over the finish line regarding the pandemic.
“Even if we devote every resource we have, beating this virus and getting back to normal depends on national unity," Biden said.
The president also plans to accelerate a nationwide effort to reopen schools, sticking with his goal of opening the majority of K-8 schools within his first 100 days in office. The administration will also issue further public health guidance in the coming weeks for vaccinated individuals, and plans to unveil online tools to help people find local vaccination sites.
— Gareth Henderson