Cavendish Update 11/20/20: News/Covid
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Due to the new restrictions, the Cavendish Town Office is only open by appointment. Please call 802-226-7291.
11/20/20
1. Cavendish Info
2. Covid update
3. Events
1. CAVENDISH INFO
• Tree Sales at Fire Departments: The following message is from the Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Department, “I regret to inform you that PFD will not be doing Christmas tree sales this year. The price per tree has risen drastically and with an increase in shipping cost, it just isn’t feasible. We would have to raise our starting price significantly to even turn a profit for the benefit of our equipment fund, which is the whole point of the fundraiser. Over the last couple years we made small increases but this year we just don’t feel we can overcome that given the time we are in. We understand $35 was hard for many before COVID and to raise our price higher during COVID, just isn’t something we are willing to do. We are working on another fundraising opportunity for 2021. We greatly appreciate everyone’s support and we will continue to be there when we are needed in time of emergency.”
The Cavendish Fire Department will be holding their annual tree and wreath sale starting Nov. 28 (Saturday). Unlike previous years, you will be able to buy during the week and the sale will continue as long as there are items to sell.
• BRGNS postpones Stuff-A-Bus event: Due to growing concerns about Covid-19, Black River Good Neighbor Services has made the difficult decision to postpone its annual Stuff-A-Bus event, which was scheduled to take place Saturday, Dec. 5. BRGN food shelf encourages other ways to support their goal of filling the food shelf for holiday baskets. Checks and cash can be dropped off at the food shelf or mailed to 37B Main Street, Ludlow, VT 05149.
• Chester & Springfield Police Cancelling Fingerprinting: Due to an uptick in overall COVID-19 cases in Vermont, VIN Verifications, Civilian Fingerprinting, and other administrative services are being discontinued.
• Put Your Home on the Holiday Map: The Chester Telegraph is putting together a map — or maps! — of holiday light displays and are asking readers who want to show off their “incandescent” creativity to e-mail them.
• SEVCA Announces Availability of Second Round of EMBRACE Grants: Southeastern Vermont Community Action is pleased to announce a second round of available grants to distribute through its Economic Micro Business Recovery Assistance for the Covid-19 Epidemic program, known as EMBRACE. To determine eligibility and apply for EMBRACE funding, go to www.mbdp.org. Questions may be directed to Denise Mason at dmason@sevca.org.
• Okemo has postponed opening until Nov. 25 due to weather
• Help for overdue utility bills expanded to include water and sewer charges: A state program to help people catch up on payments has expanded to include water and sewer bills. The program is called VCAAP, short for Vermont Covid-19 Arrearage Assistance Program. It originally covered electric, natural gas, landline telephone and private water systems, and now covers municipal water and sewer systems, too.
2. COVID UPDATE: Simply put, it’s been a hell of a week. Records continue to be set for new cases of Covid. It’s only taken 22 days, for VT to increase their number of cases by a 1,000 and with current rates, another 1,000 will be added in approximately half that time. This week recorded two deaths and yesterday, every single county in the state had new cases.
Cavendish is not exempt. The virus is here and families are in quarantine.
The surge in cases is caused by Vermonters: On Tuesday, the Governor’s Press Conference repeated the same message from the previous week. Infections are the result of adults getting together with friends, consuming alcohol and eating together. It is not being caused by tourism, 2nd home owners, restaurants, salons, gyms etc. This is why restrictions are on social gatherings and not environments that must follow strict codes of conduct. Parties and cook-outs, hanging out with people you don't know and just to socialize, may be fun, but they're wants, not needs, and they put a lot of people at risk,” said Gov. Scott.
The State’s Objectives: In view of the aftermath of Halloween parties, and the looming Thanksgiving weekend-the highest travel day of the year- the VT Dept of Health (VDH) cannot stress enough the prevention measures of masking, social distancing, hand washing, and staying home. Their objectives are to keep schools open and people working, not overwhelming the health care system, and ultimately keeping Vermonters as safe as possible until there is a vaccine.
We’re better prepared: Though numbers of new cases are spiraling, Dr. Levine, VT Health Commissioner, made it clear that VT is in much better shape to deal with Covid this time around versus last spring. The amount of testing and contact tracing far exceeds what’s available in the rest of the country and those strategies have helped Vt control outbreaks. While NH is cutting back on contract tracing, VT is adding new members to their team. Treatment of those with Covid has significantly improved and newer meds are on the way. There are now two vaccines showing better than 90% effectiveness and the hope is that by Christmas, VT will be vaccinating front line health care workers.
Changes since Friday’s Press Conference: Additional restrictions were added on Tuesday, including the return to the no visitation policies for hospitals and nursing homes.
Five new testing centers are opening this week, and will be available seven days a week. Rutland and Brattleboro.are the sites closest to Cavendish.
Be a Patriot: On Tuesday, Scott expressed anger with the virus but also with frustration with skeptics who want to ignore the science. Don't call it patriotic. Don't pretend it's about freedom. Because real patriots serve and sacrifice for all, whether they agree with them or not. Patriots also stand up and fight when our nation's health and security is threatened. And right now, our country and way of life is being attacked by this virus — not the protections we put in place
Be Prepared: Between winter weather and the potential that you may need to quarantine as a result of exposure to Covid, make sure you have a two week supply of food, water, medications and other incidentals Oh, and cool it with the toilet paper and paper towel obsession. Stores are once again running out. You didn’t stock pile enough the last time???
Testing: Testing is free. Use VDH’s website to sign up. There are a variety of options and you don’t need a referral to be tested. Note that if you are heading into quarantine, make your reservation for day seven testing as soon as possible.
Quarantine: With students returning home, it’s important to review quarantine basics. For starters anyone visiting VT must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. After seven days, take a PCR test and remain in quarantine until results are received. Quarantine for students means coming to their home and having hopefully their own bedroom to themselves,” Levine said. Preferably they would have their own bathroom to themselves as well. But if that’s not possible, make sure all touched surfaces are wiped down. When someone does come home they’re not supposed to interact with the rest of the household. That includes eating meals separately. If you have woods out behind your house or you can get away from other people, that is also allowed. This does not mean people can run errands or go shopping. See VDH’s website for more information.
Local Resources
- CHS Cares Closet: Masks (cloth and disposable), books, toys, craft supplies. Open 24/7. All free. Located next to the steps of the Cavendish Historical Society Museum.
3. UPCOMING EVENTS:
NOVEMBER 16-29 (MONDAY-SUNDAY): Virtual CTES Book Fair.
NOVEMBER 26 (THURSDAY): HAPPY THANKSGIVING Town office closed
NOVEMBER 27 (FRIDAY): Town Office Closed
NOVEMBER 28 (SATURDAY): Christmas tree and greens go on sale at the Cavendish Fire Dept. The sale will continue through the week and into the following weekend(s) until all items are gone.
NOVEMBER 29 (SUNDAY): Deer Season Ends
CA❤︎ENDSH-A SAFER SIX COMMUNITY
Covers mouth & nose
Always masks in public
Vermonters keep each other safe
Elbow coughs
Never forgets to wash hands
Disinfects common surfaces
Is alert for symptoms
Stays 6 feet apart
Has respect for personal space