Cavendish Update 5/4/20: Water/News/Events

Everybody had to laugh at Aubrey’s internet jokes

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

5/4/20

1.    What’s Been Happening

2.    Events

MESSAGE FOR THOSE ON CAVENDISH MUNICIPAL WATER: Please be mindful of water usage. With people staying at home, there has been a bigger demand for water. This is not the time to wash cars or fill swimming pools (not that anybody is going to be swimming for a while).

With another turn of the spigot manufacturing and construction of 10 or fewer employees can reopen today. If trends remain low, “manufacturing, construction, and distribution operations may restart with as few employees as necessary to permit full operations while continuing to maintain health and safety,” by May 11. Read More.

It’s all about the trends. Instead of focusing on numbers, it’s the overall decline in rates that are what’s being monitored, be it new cases, deaths or hospitalizations. As long as we stay on the same trajectory we’re on, more will be opening and the Stay at Home order will be lifted mid-month. In the months ahead, until there is a vaccine or effective treatment, expect people and even locations to be quarantined, as with more testing more cases will be found.

How Data is Kept It’s important to understand how data is being kept as in March and early April, it was as changeable as the weather. Like spring, which appears to finally have settled in, the only data that is being reported is for Vt residents.  As of May 3, 897 VT residents  have tested positive and 52 have died, including two residents of the Okemo Valley. Does VT test non-residents? Yes they do, but they are counted in the state where they reside, not in VT.

Data by Town: When you look at the newly revised data by town,   no Cavendish resident has tested positive to date, while Ludlow, Chester, Reading and Plymouth are all listed as having 1-5 cases. However, it doesn’t mean that people haven’t been quarantined here for exposures nor does it tell us if an infected 2nd homeowner or visitor was here. In short, don’t go by the numbers on the town map to assure yourself Covid isn’t an issue for us. Not the case at all, the state’s town map is only giving us one view.  Please continue to practice social distancing -6 feet apart wearing a cloth mask or scarf.

Symptoms for Covid-19 Have Expanded to include all of the following: cough, fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, loss of sense of taste or smell, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat. Anyone with these symptoms can be tested, along with anyone who has had a direct exposure to someone who is positive.

Testing is key and VT has expanded testing. Pediatricians are being asked to test kids and teens with flu like symptoms. VT is also part of a CDC project for multiple rounds of testing at elder care facilities with positive cases. If you think you need a test, you can now get one. You will need a doctor’s order. If you don’t have a primary care provider, call the Ludlow Health Center 802-228-8867.

Our neighboring states are still having significant outbreaks. This is very concerning for the Governor, who is fearful  that “an ember,” an infected visitor, could “spark a wild fire” in VT. He mentions this in all of his press conferences, often more than once.  Justifiable concerns, Mass has had 66,263 cases, 3,846 deaths and people are still dying daily in the triple digits. NY, has had 18,909 deaths with 313,000 people testing positive. While CT is thinking they’ve reached peak-they had 97 deaths and more than 500 new confirmed cases on Saturday, with total numbers of 2,436 deaths and 29,287 cases. NH has had 2,429 cases with 84 deaths.

Scott is looking at “regional” openings particularly for recreational purposes. Whether people are returning home to VT after a winter elsewhere, or are coming to their 2nd home for the summer,  they are required to quarantine for 14 days. It should be noted that VT’s  Agency of Transportation study, which has manually logged license-plate data in as many as 43 border checkpoints since April 1, has found “nothing that’s raised to the level of thinking we’re seeing a huge influx or a major change in inbound visitors." Read more

Good news-Greenhouse Gas Emissions Predicted to fall nearly 8%. The International Energy Agency, along with the plants and animals, are doing the happy dance, as the lower emissions will reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that lead to climate change. Learn more. 

If you can’t find  masks or hand sanitizer or need help with shopping, please call 226-7291 or 7292. You can also e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com

 

1.WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING

Green Mountain’s Virtual Graduation Walk: Each day from May 2 until June 18, The Chester Telegraph will spotlight one member of the Green Mountain High School’s class of 2020. While nothing can replace the thrill of walking across the stage to receive your diploma at your high school graduation, we hope this moment “on stage” in front of your family, friends and community will give you some small joy and a memory to take with you.

Protest outside Springfield prison leads to inmate disturbance inside

• New Hampshire extends stay-at-home order; restricted business openings allowed: Outdoor seating at restaurants, drive-in theaters, golf and haircuts will be allowed — under strict guidelines — under a new stay-at-home order issued Friday by Gov. Chris Sununu. Campgrounds, manufacturing services and state parks can open immediately if they follow the guidelines. Golf courses, barbers and hair salons, retail stores and drive-in theaters can open May 11, under certain conditions.

DHMC repurposes unit for COVID-19 intensive care: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center’s new neurocritical care unit on the third floor of the hospital’s inpatient tower has been transformed into a COVID-19 intensive care unit during the pandemic. The unit sees a daily average of 10 to 30 patients with COVID-19 or who are suspected of having COVID-19. Patients who don’t require intensive care are moved to the second floor of the tower. “We are fortunate that only one D-HH patient has died, given that the mortality rate for intubated patients is quite high.”

UVM Health Network projects $152 million loss this year due to Covid-19

TAKE THE 2020 CENSUS.

 

2.. UPCOMING EVENTS: Go to dgBody Works  for classes that are being posted via Facebook live. Take a new one, do an old one. Stay fit and healthy.

MAY 5 (TUESDAY): GMUSD Finance Committee will meet using Zoom at 6 pm. Zoom information is included on the Agenda.

MAY 11 (MONDAY): Ludlow Community Blood Drive 12:30-5:30 at the Ludlow Community Center, 37 Main St. Wear a facemask and use hand sanitizer. For an appointment, go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767

• Manufacturing and construction can return to work

Staying home for Patty; Bob Kirkbride; Singletons; Dave Norton;  Deb Hryckiewicz;  Ludlow Ambulance Service; the Cavendish Water/Waste Water Treatment Team; Rocky and the Cavendish Transfer Station Crew; Cavendish Town Crew; Mt. Ascutney Hospital; Cavendish/Proctorsville firefighters & first responders; Mack Molding employees; Shaw’s Ludlow employees;  the healthcare workers who have died of Covid-19; Black River Good Neighbors; and family and friends we have lost to Covid-19

Have a Heart -stay home or 6 feet apart wearing a cloth mask or scarf.  

                        Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 5/1/20 Plant Sale/Market Update/News

The quarantine—surprisingly—was making Duncan calmer. Jane Hart

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

 

5/1/20

1.    What’s Been Happening

2.    CHS Plant Sale

3.    Market Update by Mark Huntley

4.    Events

 

We’re staying home today for our mask makers.

It’s been a hopeful week all things considered, with Vermont keeping the number of new cases low, even had no new cases on Wednesday, more businesses re opening, with a promise of more today, and some strides are being made on the treatment front.

Town Data: On Monday, the VT Department of Health (VDH) released data by town for the first time. Instead of providing actual numbers, they gave a range. Cavendish, Ludlow and surrounding towns, which comprise the Okemo Valley,  each showed they had <6 cases a piece. Given that there were two deaths to Covid-19, with numerous people in quarantine as a result of being in contact with one or both of these individuals, as well as the very limited amount of testing that was available at the time, we can assume the actual number of Covid cases was/is higher for the Okemo Valley. The state admits this was an “ad hoc” attempt to answer repeated questions about specific town incidence and are in the process of over hauling it.

Criteria for lifting “Stay at Home” : VT’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Mark Levine, stated that there are four criteria being used to “open the state:”

• A sustained reduction in cases over 14 days.

• Health care system remains safely under capacity.

• Widespread testing is possible.

• Active monitoring of the population

We are achieving the first criteria and consequently hospitalizations have significantly dropped to the point that the state is reviewing plans to allow hospitals to start providing non emergent care, such as elective surgeries.

VT is ramping up its testing in order to test 1,000 people a day-7,000 a week-with strong contact tracing. They will need to hire more staff and will be expanding both in the coming weeks as more people return to work. Hopefully, both will be well in place when the “Stay at Home” order is slated to end on May 15.

Expect to see increases in new cases with more testing. Containment, which will include the use of an App to help insure people are being followed daily by VDH, will be implemented.  South Korea adopted this approach immediately and as a result, kept their economy going, sluggish though it may be, and their incidence and mortality has been low. For more on this topic, click here.

There is confusion about "flattening the curve." There are those that think we “dodged a bullet,” similarly to how we missed getting hit by a nor’easter. Nope, viruses have a mind of their own and they don’t care jack about who you are. If they can latch hold, they do. The virus was in our community, but thanks to quick action by leadership and Vermonters, who really get “hunkering down,” it was contained and as a result, we’ve been less impacted then other parts of the country.

Some people believe that since VT is doing so well, and the hospitals are sufficiently equipped with PPE and vents,  just open everything up. Not so fast.

If we return to “business as usual,” we will see a significant increase in cases and once again have the potential to overwhelm the health care system. With healthcare accounting for about 20% of the US economy, caring or prepping for Covid-19 has resulted in massive revenue losses. The bread and butter stuff, which is where healthcare makes its money e.g. hip replacement, elective surgeries etc.,  hasn't been functioning for close to two months. Estimates are health care revenue has been reduced about $500 billion across the country. The two federal stimulus bills will only provide about $175 billion -- or 35 percent -- of that lost revenue.

As much as we need to flatten the curve to save lives, it’s also needed for researchers to develop treatments and/or vaccine, as well as allow the healthcare industry to return to business as usual so they can try and recoup massive revenue losses  If we don't keep doing what we’re doing, an already fragile healthcare system could be pushed over the edge.

Will there be a “round two?” Most epidemiologist think there will be. However, by implementing the type of testing, contact tracing and quarantine, along with the continuing practice of social distancing, we could significantly reduce its impact in VT.

What about “herd immunity?: This implies that a sufficient number of people have had a disease or been vaccinated against it so the virus can’t spread. Unfortunately, scientists don’t know if humans develop immunity to COVID-19, and if it does, how long it might last. According to Uncle Tony (Dr. Fauci), “We really can’t depend on herd immunity until we get either enough people infected, or enough people vaccinated.” Getting infected is not recommended as it could easily backfire landing you in the hospital or worse.

Scott has mentioned more than once the pressure he is receiving to reopen VT. However, he is being guided by the science and data and a concern about VT’s proximity to New York and Massachusetts, which are still hot spots. It’s not clear how the latter  will be addressed because Vermont’s economy is heavily based on tourism

This week brought some welcome news on the treatment front-Remdesivir has been found to have an impact on Covid by reducing the length of recovery time for from 15 to 11 days. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but this is not an approved antiviral drug, so it’s got a ways to go before it becomes mainstream. Fortunately, DHMC is one of the hospitals participating in the Remdesivir Trials.

It’s Friday, so “spigot turning” day. The Governor’s press conference at 11 will announce what will be opening up. Have a good weekend and see ya Monday.

If you can’t find masks or hand sanitizer or need help with shopping, please call 226-7291 or 7292. You can also e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com 

1. WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING

• Vail Resorts offers passholders impacted by COVID-19 credits for 2020: Vail Resorts is offering credits at between 20% and 80% for next year's Epic Pass, to anyone who held a pass this past season, along with free pass insurance that covers a pandemic. 

• COVID-19, a Hypnopotamus, and You: Local hypnotherapist Dr. Linda Thomson and illustrator Jane Hart team up on this new story book, to teach children about COVID 19 and how to stay safe. There are two versions, one showing the words on the page  and the other just illustrations

Bottom falls out of Vermont’s education fund, massive tax increases loom

• VSCS Chancellor and Castleton University president resign: After a five-year tenure, Jeb Spaulding stepped down from his role as Chancellor of the Vermont State Colleges System on Wednesday.  Castleton University president Dr. Karen Scolforo also resigned during Wednesday's board meeting.

• Killarney’s will be open today from 4-8 for take-out only. They recommend ordering ahead. You can order on Facebook or calling (802)228-7797.

• State emergency plan would expand broadband to all Vermonters: The Vermont Department of Public Service is crafting an emergency Covid-19 broadband plan that, if enacted, would provide internet connection to all Vermont residents at a cost ranging from $85 million to $293 million. 

TAKE THE 2020 CENSUS.

 

2. CHS ANNUAL PLANT SALE: Because Vermont’s Farmer’s Markets are opening on May 1, and garden centers are already open, the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) is hoping to hold the plant sale May 23 (Saturday) using Farmer Market guidelines, in front of the Museum. The Museum will not be open that day.

We are  taking orders now for tomato plants, salad buckets and herb pots. If you have ideas for other veggies you'd like in a grow pot, let us know and we'll see what we can work out. Tomatoes are $10 (Early girl, Cherry, and Sun Gold)  and come in five gallon food grade buckets. Salad buckets and herb pots (include a variety of herbs) are $15 a piece. These can last you the whole summer and well into the fall.

To order, please e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com with the type and quantity of tomato plants you want as well as other items. If you are in the Okemo Valley, we will be doing deliveries prior to the sale. You can also call 802-226-7807.

 We understand that some people are in high risk groups and are reluctant to leave home but still want to work in their garden. If you are in that situation and want plants other than those described above, please let us know what you are looking for and we will try to deliver.

  

3. MARKET UPDATE by Mark Huntley:  We are here to offer a quick update regarding the stock market, investments and the economy.

So, did you open your retirement plan statement? Or did you gingerly put it back in the drawer?

The Dow’s worst bear market was from 1929 to 1932 where it lost 86% of its value during that bear market (better known as the Great Depression). This 2020 market plunged over 30%, although it has somewhat repaired itself in almost the same amount of time it took to bring it down. A similar thing happened in the 2008 correction, except it took considerably longer to get back to its high. The Dow’s low in 2008/2009 was March 3rd of 2009, at which time, it was 6625. Today the Dow is close to 24,000.

Please consider that many believe (ourselves included) the S&P 500 is a fairer representation of our economy. The Dow is only 30 companies vs. 500 in the S&P

Our feeling is the potential “lows” of March may be retested in late June—this could be because of a reappearance of covid or earnings or any number of reasons. We would draw an analogy that the market might follow the virus’s path. Our recommendation is always the same: patience, balance, diversification to avoid duplication, a healthy cash position, and market hedges to protect the downside.

So, will it be (as the saying goes) “Sell in May and go away?” We shall see…

As always, please do not attempt to fly this plane, ride this roller coaster, or drive this cruise ship without the help and guidance of a highly trained professional.

May you all be safe.

Mark is a Cavendish resident and owns Huntley Wealth Management in Ludlow.

 

4. UPCOMING EVENTS: Go to dgBody Works  for classes that are being posted via Facebook live. Take a new one, do an old one. Stay fit and healthy.

MAY 1 (FRIDAY) : Farmer’s Markets open for the season

MAY 11 (MONDAY): Ludlow Community Blood Drive 12:30-5:30 at the Ludlow Community Center, 37 Main St. Wear a facemask and use hand sanitizer. For an appointment, go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767

Staying home for Patty; Bob Kirkbride; Singletons; Dave Norton;  Deb Hryckiewicz;  Ludlow Ambulance Service; the Cavendish Water/Waste Water Treatment Team; Rocky and the Cavendish Transfer Station Crew; Cavendish Town Crew; Mt. Ascutney Hospital; Cavendish/Proctorsville firefighters & first responders; Mack Molding employees; Shaw’s Ludlow employees;  the healthcare workers who have died of Covid-19; Black River Good Neighbors; family and friends we have lost to Covid-19; and our local mask makers.

Have a Heart -stay home or 6 feet apart wearing a cloth mask or scarf.   

                        Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 4/27/20: As the Spigot Turns

In quarantine, artwork kept Yvonne from going bonkers. Jane Hart

 

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

4/27/20

1.    What’s Been Happening

2.    Events

We’re staying home today for those family and friends  we have lost to Covid-19.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be reminding people that chugging Clorox or taking the “Tide Pod Challenge” could kill you quicker than Covid-19, but alas. I’ve done my due diligence, so please do not inject or ingest disinfectants no matter who tells you it’s okay or that it might be a good idea. Miracle Max has left the building.

Each of us has our challenges, as well as joys and gratitude’s that we face daily as we stay at home. However, step by step, inch by inch, we are moving forward.

Governor Scott turned the spigot a bit more Friday allowing crews of five or fewer people to work manufacturing, distribution and outdoor operations like small construction projections. Manufacturing can resume with a maximum of five employees if they can keep workers six-feet apart. Outdoor retail, such as greenhouses and garden centers can operate in person with no more than 10 people inside at once. But crews still have to maintain social distancing.

Farmers markets will be able to open up May 1, but there will be a focus on food distribution instead of a social gathering. Markets will have to use a pre-order, local food pickup model. Click here for full guidance from the Vermont Department of Agriculture.

Mandatory Health & Safety Requirements for all Business Operations, outlines the guideline that all businesses must follow, which are in accord with the VT Department of Health and the CDC.

Scott plans to use Fridays to “turn the spigot.,” as each component is opened, they will have a week to assess, review the data and make changes accordingly.

Comcast is coming to Tarbell Hill, Knapp Pond, East Hill Rd to Crown Point intersection, Chambers Rd, Armstrong Rd, off shoots from Knapp Pond and Norrie Davis. Cable lines are currently being installed around Knapp Pond. The goal is to have service installed by Sept. 1, in time for remote learning if it's needed this fall.

If you have had Covid-19 does it give you immunity? Unfortunately, the jury is still out, which is also the case for serology testing (the antibody test to see if you’ve had the virus). These tests are coming out largely unregulated and it’s going to be trial and error for a while. Still no effective treatment but there are a growing number of drugs being tested. So it’s no surprise, we’re going to be practicing distancing for quite some time. Might want to think about making masks to match your summer outfits.

If you can’t find TP, masks, hand sanitizer or need help with shopping, please call 226-7291 or 7292. You can also e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com

 

1. WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING

Black River Independent School Committee hires head of school

• Black River Good Neighbor Cancels Spring Rummage Sale: They will decide on a fall sale later this summer. In the meantime, they are not collecting donations. The Food Shelf and financial assistance are available M-F, 10-3. Please call ahead for assistance 802-228-3663.

• Chester Music Series for the summer has been cancelled.

• What the Cares Act Means for Your Student Loans

TAKE THE 2020 CENSUS.

 

2.. UPCOMING EVENTS: Go to dgBody Works for classes that are being posted via Facebook live. Take a new one, do an old one. Stay fit and healthy.

MAY 1  : Farmer’s Markets open for the season

Staying home for Patty; Bob Kirkbride; Singletons; Dave Norton;  Deb Hryckiewicz;  Ludlow Ambulance Service; the Cavendish Water/Waste Water Treatment Team; Rocky and the Cavendish Transfer Station Crew; Cavendish Town Crew; Mt. Ascutney Hospital; Cavendish/Proctorsville firefighters & first responders; Mack Molding employees; Shaw’s Ludlow employees;  the healthcare workers who have died of Covid-19; Black River Good Neighbors; and family and friends we have lost to Covid-19

Have a Heart -stay home or 6 feet apart wearing a cloth mask or scarf.  

                        Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update: 4/24/20 Comcast/News

In the pandemic, Ted was more grateful than ever for family. Jane Hart

 

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

 

4/24/20

1.    What’s Been Happening

2.    Events

We’re staying home today for Black River Good Neighbor who is doing an incredible job supporting our community.

With more spring like weather and  the significant decline in new cases of Covid-19-it appears Vermont has peaked- it’s not surprising that Vermont has a group thinking that the Governor isn’t turning the spigot on fast enough. Called “Vermont Against Excessive Quarantine,” they held a rally in Montpelier on Wednesday to “end this shutdown.” Just a handful of people showed, along with four nurses who were counter protesting.

It’s important to put this in perspective, it is a small minority of Americans that are protesting “stay at home” orders.” Eight out of 10 Americans are listening to Uncle Tony (Dr. Fauci) and continue to “hunker down” and practice social distancing, while wearing masks.

Yes the economy sucks, but as Gov. Scott noted we need to “Live within our means.” Ultimately, the Governor is choosing health over wealth and is more concerned about the well-being of Vermonters and less about elections. You can revive a dead economy, but unless you are on a first name basis with Miracle Max of Princess Bride fame, dead is dead. No such thing as “slightly dead.”

One of the things that was learned from the 1918 Flu Pandemic is that cities and towns that went into quarantine earlier and stayed longer, did much better in terms of fewer deaths and better economic recovery, then those who came out of quarantine too quickly. We’re seeing examples of that now in other countries, and there is modeling that shows this is as true today as it was in 1918.

At today’s upcoming press conference (11 am), Scott is expected to turn the spigot on a little more as far as getting people back to work and off of unemployment. We will post to Facebook and have more information on Monday.

This week the NIH released its treatment guidelines . They have concluded there is not enough data on some of the most touted drugs — including hydroxychloroquine, which the panel said should not be used outside clinical trials when paired with antibiotics. So we’re still in a wait and see mode.

With connectivity and telecommunications being such an enormous issue, considerable attention at Wednesday’s press conference was on this topic as well as remote learning. June Tierney, Secretary of the Dept. of Public Service was very clear that anyone who was having difficulty getting service or had poor service should call 800-622-4496. She even noted that if you were laid off but needed broadband to qualify for a remote service job, she specifically mentioned Amazon is looking for remote workers, to call that number and the state could help you.

In that vein, we do have some good news. Comcast is wiring the Knapp Pond area for service. We expect to learn this morning about when it will be available for purchase.

Without an effective treatment or vaccine, as good a job as VT is doing with testing, contact tracing, and quarantining, we will continue to have flare ups and it’s likely we will continue to need to use remote learning. In fact, the state announced that the Governor’s Institute will be done remotely this summer, and schools like Dartmouth have said their summer classes will all be via remote learning. Yup, I can hear both the cheers and the jeers from here. While the initial reaction to remote learning was “not so much,” as time has gone by, some kids and families really like it.

We’re entering into a new era where so many aspects of our lives will be changing, and while we fear change, sometimes it takes a major course correction like Covid-19 to get us back on tract. When you look at the before and now pictures of Paris, the canals of Venice, India and every part of the world, the environment is enjoying their holiday free of the humans. Can we maybe see that there needs to be a better way we can handle things from here on out?

Finally, VT needs all the help it can get. In order to qualify for federal programs, we need for everyone to complete the 2020 Census. No matter if you’ve received a form in the mail, you can do it on-line and it takes maybe five minutes. TAKE THE 2020 CENSUS.

If you can’t find TP, masks, hand sanitizer or need help with shopping, please call 226-7291 or 7292. You can also e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com

1. WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING

• Start Greening up Cavendish: You can pick up Green Up Bags at the Town Office, just open the front door and take one. As you take your walks around town, please “green up.” Filled bags can be brought to the Cavendish Transfer Station for free.

Ripley to be elevated to interim principal at GMUHS next year: During their remote April 16 meeting, the Green Mountain Unified School District agreed to adopt an administration reorganization of the Green Mountain Unified High School that elevates Mike Ripley to interim principal for the coming year. The proposal was suggested by outgoing principal Lauren Fierman. She is assuming the position of superintendent of Two Rivers Supervisory Union next year. 

• HCRS opens free stress, anxiety phone support line during pandemic: Health Care and Rehabilitation Services, southeastern Vermont’s community mental-health agency, has opened up a phone support Warm Line, 1-800-917-1622, for the community. The warm line is staffed with trained professionals offering support seven days per week from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The phone support line is anonymous and open to anyone in Windsor and Windham counties.

• Planned Parenthood has launched new telehealth services in VT, NH and MA which allows patients to access its health care services by phone or through a private and secure videoconferencing platform. Through telehealth, providers can answer patient questions, manage prescriptions, and help patients address their sexual and reproductive health care needs remotely. PPNE is still offering in-person visits when necessary. FMI: , www.ppnne.org or call 1-866-476-1321.

Mack Molding and Southwestern Vermont Health Care partner to develop PPE alternative

• Villagers at Downers 4 Corners opens today at 12 pm for ice cream: Hours of operation will be 12pm - 7pm, for take away food and ice cream only. Online ordering will be available via their Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/VillagersIceCream/ Please remember to keep social distancing rules

• Three State College Campuses will remain open for now

• Vermont National Guard is delivering MREs to Vermont residents from 9-6 at the following locations Friday, April 24: Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport: 1002 Airport Road, North Clarendon; Monday, April 27: Hartness State Airport: 15 Airport Road, North Springfield. The Vermont Foodbank allots one seven-day supply of MREs for each member of a household. You can pick up food for a neighbor. Note you must be a VT resident to qualify for this program.

The Vermont Council on the Arts and the Vermont Humanities Council will distribute $800,000 in federal emergency funds to Vermont artists in a program that starts this week.

Self-employed Vermonters can now apply for federal benefits

2.. UPCOMING EVENTS: Go to dgBody Works  for classes that are being posted via Facebook live. Take a new one, do an old one. Stay fit and healthy.

MAY 1  : Farmer’s Markets open for the season

Staying home for Patty; Bob Kirkbride; Singletons; Dave Norton;  Deb Hryckiewicz;  Ludlow Ambulance Service; the Cavendish Water/Waste Water Treatment Team; Rocky and the Cavendish Transfer Station Crew; Cavendish Town Crew; Mt. Ascutney Hospital; Cavendish/Proctorsville firefighters & first responders; Mack Molding employees; Shaw’s Ludlow employees;  the healthcare workers who have died of Covid-19; and Black River Good Neighbors

Have a Heart -stay home or 6 feet apart wearing a cloth mask or scarf.   

                        Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS