Cavendish Update: 3/17/20 Happy St. Patrick's Day
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3/17/20: Happy St. Patrick’s Day
1.Meet the Cavendish Covid-19 Team
2. What’s Happened in the Last 24 Hours
3. Volunteers Needed
4. A poem from Ireland this St. Pat’s Day
1.THE CAVENDISH COVID-19 TEAM: Yesterday was the first in person meeting of the Cavendish Covid-19 Team (CCT). We met outside in the parking lot of the town office standing more than six feet apart, and there are pictures on Facebook to prove it. The CCT includes, alphabetically:
• Margo Caulfield: That would be me-Cavendish Connects/Cavendish VT Facebook page
• Doris Eddy: Health Officer
• Bob Glidden: Town Emergency Coordinator, Deputy Chief Proctorsville Volunteer Fire Dept.
• Abe Gross: Cavendish Volunteer Fire Dept Chief, Pastor Cavendish Baptist
• Peter LaBelle: Black River Good Neighbor, Town Auditor
• Brendan McNamara, Town Manager
• Diane McNamara: Town Clerk, Treasurer
We’re in daily contact and meeting in person as needed, six feet apart and outside. I had hoped to have the Hunkering Down Resources Handout for you this AM, but the team has to approve it so we’ll have it up later today. In the meantime, we have updates under Item 2.
The town’s response is being coordinated out of the Town Office, which is fully staffed but closed to the public. In short folks-we got this! Take a deep breath and know that CCT is on the case.
2. WHAT’S HAPPENED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS: If it feels like we’re being shut down, and it’s making you feel a bit frightened or scared, that’s okay. Totally normal as our brains are wired for fear. A great device to keep the humans alive on the African savannah. However, it’s back firing in today’s society, where we are blasted 24/7 with some variation of “if it bleeds it leads.” That would be like the early hunters and gatherers having to deal with a tiger ready to pounce on them continuously. We wouldn’t have made it as a species if that were the case. So hold on to the good in your life and let the fear go. Thinking there isn’t much good? Well thanks to social distancing, I can eat garlic and go to a meeting without offending anyone.
• Gotta give a shout out to Denise of dg Bodyworks. Not only did she do a drive by TPing-as one of our residents was without toilet paper yesterday, but she held a free Facebook live class at 7 pm last night!! You rock! Love our Cavendish Tough Girl.
• Cases are rising in Vermont and yesterday’s were all “community acquired.” In other words, they had no risk factors. If the account and the amount is of interest to you, read more, otherwise move on. Being obsessed by numbers can make you nuts. We know the virus is here and we have people in quarantine, but remember 80% of those will have very mild or no symptoms. That noted, don’t assume anyone is safe and practice the 4 S’s-Social Distancing; Soap & Sanitize; Stay Home; & Safely Cough. In a nut shell- Be smart. Do your part. Stay Home or 6 Feet Apart.
• Ludlow Ambulance has requested the following If you are currently self-quarantined. Put a note on your front door notifying first responders of your situation. If you need emergency services notify the dispatcher of the situation at the time of your initial call. Please do not show up at any emergency services building, your primary care office or the emergency department, please call first so we can be prepared for your arrival. And only utilize these services for life threatening illnesses or injury. We’ll work on a special snazzy sign that you can post.
• They would do this on St. Patrick’s Day. Really now. Just no respect. All bars and restaurants must close by 2 pm today. To Go and Delivery only. Fortunately, Murdock’s and American Pie are offering To Go Services. Murdock’s hours will be 5-8. Credit or debit cards only. Please call ahead to place your orders. (802) 554-0126. Singleton’s is kicking it old school- Place your order 8-7 by calling 802 226 7666. Your order will be ready within a half hour and you can pick it up at the back door.
• Canada is closing the border to non-Canadian citizens and permanent residents though it is leaving an exception for United States citizens. Land border points of entry, like those along the Vermont and Quebec border will remain open.
• Both Cavendish and Ludlow Libraries are closed. However, there is free Wi-Fi, no password required at either location. Cavendish has free books, movies in the entry way and special Busy Kits for kids.
• Black River (Ludlow area) has cancelled their Community Meals but will do deliveries. Community Meal participants have been directed to call the Sr. Center if they would like a meal delivered. 228.7241
3. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We need volunteers who can help with a number of tasks including shopping, delivering items, making check in calls and more. If you can help, please call 226-7291. All volunteer coordination-if ya need it or can do it-will be out of the Town Office.
4. AN IRISH POEM: Will be posting some Irish music on Facebook to celebrate the day and hope you made some of Brenda’s mother’s Irish Soda Bread (recipe in yesterday’s Update).
The following is from Brother Richard Hendrick, a Capuchin Franciscan living in Ireland, who wrote this poem about coronavirus.
Lockdown by Brother Richard:
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighborhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing
Be smart. Do your part. Stay home or 6 feet apart.
Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.