Cavendish Covid-19 Resource Guide

  UPDATED: 3/12/21

VERMONT’S MASK MANDATE: Vermonters and visitors are required to wear masks or cloth facial coverings over their nose and mouth any time they are in public spaces, indoors or outdoors, where they come in contact with others from outside their households, especially in congregate settings, and where it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least six feet.

 VERMONT’S QUARANTINE MANDATE: Unless you have been fully vaccinated-two weeks after your second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, three weeks after Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a 14 day quarantine period is required for anyone returning or traveling to Vermont for non-essential travel. “Essential travel” includes travel for personal safety, health care, care of others, parental shared custody, for food, beverage or medicine, for students to attend preK-12 school or college or a school-sponsored activity, or for work. Quarantine can be shortened by taking a PCR Covid test seven days after entering/returning to the state. Testing information is available at VT Dept. of Health website Note that testing is free and available seven days a week. More information about testing appears below.

VACCINES: The VT Dept of Health has a webpage Covid-19 Vaccines in Vermont. that is updated regularly. Vaccinations are being given by appointment only and registration is via the website and/or by calling the designated number 855-722-7878. Call center hours are as follows: Monday-Friday, 8:15 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Vaccines are being given by age bands, with those being eligible as follows:

• 65+

• 16+ with an underlying condition:

- Current cancer

-       Chronic Kidney Disease

-       COPD, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis

-       Heart disease, including heart attack, heart failure, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease (angina, acute and chronic ischemic heart disease), cardiomyopathies, and pulmonary hypertension. Does NOT include high blood pressure.

-       Immunocompromised (weakened immune system), due to solid organ transplant, blood, or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, or other causes; or HIV with a low CD4 cell count or not on HIV treatment; prolonged use of corticosteroids or other immune suppressing drugs.

-       Severe obesity (BMI of 40 or above)

-       Pregnancy

-       Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

-       Disabilities including chromosomal disorders, such as Down syndrome; intellectual disabilities (IQ of 70 or below); disabilities that compromise lung function (neurologic and muscular conditions such as muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and multiple sclerosis).

-       Sickle cell disease

For those registering with underlying conditions, this is being done on the honor system. However, you will be asked for the name of your medical provider. If you currently do not have a provider, the health department may contact you to arrange to network you into care.

• Health care workers, first responders which now includes police staff such as sergeants, lieutenants, and others, 911 call takers who are needed to direct personnel to emergencies, and state correctional facilities staff.

• Teachers and educational staff

Note that with the availability of vaccine, things are rapidly changing so keep an eye on the Cavendish VT Facebook page for the latest information.

IF YOU HAVE COVID/ARE CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH COVID: Most people with mild illness can recover at home. While there is no specific treatment for COVID-19, you should get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take fever-reducing medication if needed. Use the VT Dept of Health’s website “If you have Covid-19” to learn what you need to do as well as special programs from VDH. They also have a handout “What to do if you test positive for Covid-19.” Consider signing up for Sara Alert. Sara Alert is a free, automated and secure reminder system to check for common symptoms of COVID-19. People visiting or returning to Vermont, and people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and their close contacts, can get daily reminders by email, text or phone asking if they are experiencing any symptoms.

TOWN OFFICE: The Town Office is open for business, but by appointment only. Call 226-7291 or 7292. Check the website for town related information.

For those who are self- isolating or who are in required quarantine: Volunteers are available to help with the following: shopping, picking up mail, transfer station runs or other necessary services. Call 226-7291 or 7292 to arrange for service

ASSISTANCE WITH FOOD/RENT/LOSS WAGES ETC. Black River Good Neighbors in Ludlow. (802) 228-3663.

SUPPORT SERVICES: In addition to the information below, Vermont has launched Covid Support VT, which is free. As Governor Scott continues to note, there is “no shame in seeking  help,” and he urges Vermonters to seek mental health as well as addiction treatment and assistance. Covid Support offers trained counselors who can be reached by calling 2-1-1 (866-652-4636), option #2. Counselors are available M-F from 8 am-8 pm. Calls are free and confidential. Free self care strategies are available every Tuesday at 1 pm and 5 pm for an hour of virtual wellness activities via Zoom. Go to the Weekly Wellness Group page for Zoom information. FMI: 802-828-7368 or e-mail info@covidsupportvt.org

-       Daily Friendly Call: A Cavendish Volunteer will be happy to call and chat with you daily. Arrange by calling 226-7291

-       Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-228-7395

-       Sexual Violence Hotline 1-800-489-7273

-       Teen Dating Abuse 1-866-331-9474

-       Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

-       Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services

-       Safe Space Vermont (for LGBTQ people)

-       The Vermont Coalition of Supervised Visitation Programs (VCSVP)

-       VT Helplink: Alcohol & Drug Support Center-Free. Specialists offer caring and expert support to navigate the VT Treatment & Recovery System 802-565-5465. 8 am-10pm, M-F and 8 am-6pm on weekends and holidays.

-       HCRS:   Health Care & Rehabilitation Services of Vermont (HCRS). is open, taking new clients and providing telemedicine and telephone support. They offer a 24/7 Crisis Line, 1-800-622-4235 and service children, youth and adult.

-       Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255

CHS CARES CLOSET: Located next to the steps of the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) Museum (1951 Main St-131, Cavendish Village). Open the doors and pick up a mask (cloth or surgical), books (children and adult), DVDs, CDs and information. Lift the chest lid for puzzles, games, hands on history projects, craft supplies, toys and more. Everything is free for the taking. If you would like Closet items but are home bound, call 226-7807 or e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com to arrange for delivery services. If you have something you wish to donate, please e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com or call 802-226-7807. Do not leave anything there.

FREE WIFI: Available at libraries in Proctorsville & Ludlow. The Cavendish Baptist Church also offers free Wifi but is password protected, which can be obtained by calling the church at 802-226-7131.

TRANSFER STATION: Normal hours-W & Sat 8-5; Sun 10-5. The Cavendish Transfer Station is asking you to adhere to the following guidelines at the Transfer Station until further notice. These new measures are meant to protect everyone. We are concerned with the safety of you and of our employees.

1: If you have Symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, etc.) please DO NOT use the Transfer Station. Please call the Town Office at 802-226-7291 for assistance.

2: Employees have been instructed to refrain from direct contact with other employees or residents.

3: Please place all required transfer station tokens in the receptacle provided at the transfer station.

4: During this time, we encourage all residents to unload waste from their vehicle. If you are unable to unload your waste, please stay in your car and signal to the attendant for assistance.

5: Tokens can be purchased at Singletons or via mail through the Town Office. Tokens will be mailed upon receipt of a check. (Cavendish Town Office: PO BOX 126 Cavendish VT, 05142) Checks may also be written at the Transfer Station.

LIBRARY RESOURCES: Cavendish Library: Curbside service only. Offering a variety of resources on-line and via their Facebook page. Call 226-7503 for more information.

-       Ludlow Public Library: Use on line catalog to make requests. Pick up at the back door. Call 802-228-8921 to place your order. On-line offerings of downloadable e-book and audio books and more.

 

FOOD/STORES:  Many local and area restaurants are open for take-out with limited indoor seating. Reservations are required.

-       Singleton’s: Offers both delivery and curbside service 226-7666.

-       Meals on Wheels available by calling 228-7241

-       Store hours for those at higher risk/60+: (Note all stores require a mask, maintaining social distance, and limit number of shoppers at one time)

o   Shaw’s 7-8:30 am (Tues & Thurs). Provides delivery service using Instacart and is now offering curbside pick up. Call 228-8468

o   Market Basket 6-7 am Every day. Store hours are now 7 am -8 pm.

o   Wal Mart: 1 hour before store (Tues). Open 7 am-8:30 pm. Grocery pickup hours 11-7 Ordering ahead and curbside pick-up is available by calling 603-507-2095

POST OFFICE: Normal hours.. Proctorsville 226-7268; Cavendish 226-7238.

HEALTH CARE: If you are feeling sick, please call your primary care provider or any of the local emergency rooms before going in. They will advise you how to proceed. CALL 911 FOR ALL EMERGENCIES 

Contact numbers are as follows:

-       Ludlow Health Center 802-228-8867

-       Springfield Hospital 802-885-7540

-       Rutland Regional Medical Center 802-775-7111

-       Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center 603-650-7000

-        Mt. Ascutney Hospital 802-674-6711

TESTING: Vermont now has testing available seven days a week. Sites closest to Cavendish include Springfield, Rutland, Brattleboro and White River Junction. This is in addition to pop up testing, and testing at pharmacies and hospitals. You do not need to be physician referred for testing. It is best to use the VT Dept. of Health’s website to register for testing. If you are unable to use a computer, please call 211 and they will assist you in registering for a test. Vermont Department of Health testing is free.

UNEMPLOYMENT: Vermont Department of Labor: Explains how to file for unemployment:

 

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES: Five economic relief programs for businesses were recently announced thanks to the new federal stimulus package. The programs include the Employee Retention Tax Credit, which is a refundable credits; and direct grant programs, like PPP or the Payroll Protection Program. Also on the list: the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. To learn more about these programs and how to apply, go to Business Economic Relief Program.

Call 211 for Covid-19 Information

For up to date information, check the Cavendish VT Facebook page You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to use it.