Facing the challenges together

Social distancing is working, but we’ve still got some long weeks ahead of us. That was a key message from Vermont officials on Monday.
Overall measures that were put in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 appear to be having the desired effect, according to Gov. Phil Scott.
“What we’ve done thus far is making a huge difference and we’ll get through this a lot quicker because of the actions Vermonters are taking,” Scott said during a press briefing.
However, big challenges remain. Recent state announcements throughout the country have focused heavily on the amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) that hospitals need. On Monday, Vermont officials said the state has benefited from “robust supply chains” for PPE, and Vermont has 2.7 million orders out for this equipment. Governors in New England continue to work together on these critical issues impacting the region’s hospitals which are already strained. Scott also reiterated his intention of extending his “stay home, stay safe” order this week.
As this situation continues to unfold, its diverse impacts deepen. Attention has increasingly turned to the business community, where business advocates and government officials are publicizing information about financial relief. Vermonters are eager for the expanded unemployment aid coming to sole proprietors and independent contractors via the federal CARES Act. Late Sunday night, Vermont officials received the federal guidance for implementing those expanded benefits, according to Michael Harrington, the state’s labor commissioner. At Monday’s briefing, Harrington said a “phased approach” was likely, though details weren’t available yet.
Across the nation, state-based systems keep tackling an unprecedented host of issues amid the crisis, making needed changes along the way — state labor departments being a chief example. That’s a heavy lift, indeed. When I think of the people working at the Vermont Department of Labor’s unemployment office, I think of a person who said in an online forum that they thanked the person answering those phone lines on a Saturday last month. Such notes of gratitude have never been more important, and they can keep us going, even while taking on the toughest of times.

— Gareth Henderson