Covid 19 Update: 3/16/20 Cavendish Hunkers Down

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3/16/20: Cavendish Hunkers Down

1. Hunkering Down

2. What’s happened in the last 24 hours

3. How you can help

4. Brenda Gregory’s Irish Soda Bread

1. HUNKERING DOWN: Everybody needs an Uncle Tony to keep them on the right track. Fortunately we have Uncle Tony in Dr. Anthony Fauci, of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. He deeply cares about Americans, and knows exactly what’s been happening in other parts of the world, particularly Italy, and he doesn’t want that to happen here.

His message was heard loud and clear yesterday: hunker down America to flatten the curve. The fewer people who get sick, the better the U.S. healthcare system can treat them. “I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing,” said Dr. Fauci. The elderly and those with underlying medical conditions should already be hunkering down — but other Americans, too, should consider “much more” restrictions on outside activity, from work and travel to possibly eating at restaurants. “Everybody has got to get involved in distancing themselves socially.”

So that’s what Cavendish and the state of Vermont are doing. Before we provide you with the daily update-a sense of humor about things can make it more bearable. Consequently,  some post items will have a few twists. It’s going to be St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow so prepare by making Brenda Gregory’s mother’s Irish Soda Bread-see Item

Expect to be “hunkered down” for about the same length of time the schools are closed and the state is under emergency conditions- April 6 but be prepared for longer.

While places are closed and events are cancelled, Cavendish is very much open. Get out and enjoy the fresh air. Wave to your neighbors- keeping 6 feet apart. This is the perfect time to do some early spring cleaning and put aside items for the July 25 (Saturday) Town Wide Tag Sale.

This will not last forever. We will get through it and we will be better for the experience.

1. WHAT’S HAPPENED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS

• All schools will be closed in VT until April 6 by order of Gov. Scott. Provisions for students who depend on the school for food will be made. As soon as we’ve heard from the TRSU about the program and scheduling we’ll post it. Note that while the Governor has given the date of March 18 (Wednesday) for all schools to be closed, CTES and GMUHS’s doors are already shut, along with BRHS, LES, CAES and Mt. Holly. Read more.

• Schools are closing in NH

• Three news cases of Covid-19 were added to Vermont’s total count. Two cases are associated with Ludlow and one of those testing positive yesterday is listed as being a 50 year old man from Suffolk County, Mass who is self-isolating in his Windsor County, VT home. Learn more

• We’re going from manual to speedier testing-not quite warp speed- this week, so expect lots and lots of positive cases to be splashed across the headlines. Just don’t look if it’s going to make you crazy. Hunkering down means not having to look at scary stuff. For those that are first responders, medical providers, elderly or have a pre existing condition, you will soon be available for priority testing, particularly once drive-through testing is here.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now advising against gatherings of 50 or more people for the next eight weeks. No large events and mass gatherings that includes "conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies."

• The toilet paper situation in Ludlow is dire and the lines are even longer at Shaw’s. Try shopping in Claremont in the off peak. Really what are people doing with all that toilet paper? We have one resident who is writing “The Toilet Paper Cookbook,” so maybe he needs a lot of cases to test his recipes. However, we’ve received one very practical suggestion, We have an outhouse . We have tons of old 100 percent cotton bed sheets . Planning to rip them up into squares and the cotton decomposes in the ground completely. Yankee ingenuity at its finest.

• Green Mountain Power to suspend collections amid Covid-19 outbreak. See there is some good news.

• VT National Guard Ready to Assist in Covid-19 Pandemic. See more positive news.

• There is a lot of misinformation about Covid-19 including ”the hold your breath test” (not true) and children don’t get it (yes they do, it’s often milder).  VT Digger has done a nice job of separating fact from fiction. Remember, for factual information, listen to Uncle Tony (Dr. Fauci).

• There are a lot of closings and changes, so please call ahead before venturing out. We should have a “Hunkering Down Resource Guide” for you tomorrow, but in the meantime, note the following:

-       Black River Good Neighbor has closed the thrift store, but you can still get help from them by calling (802) 228-3663

-       Wi-Fi is available at both the Cavendish & Ludlow Libraries. Ludlow will be closing at 2 today for the duration. You can still access Wi-Fi from their parking lot. It doesn’t require a password. Cavendish Library’s board will be making a decision today about their availability today. Cavendish’s Wi-Fi requires a password, which you can get by calling the library 226-7503 or the town office 226-7291.

-       Cavendish Town Office is closed to the public but staff is reporting to work. Call 802-226-7291 or use their website.

-       Post office is keeping normal hours.

3. HOW YOU CAN HELP: The posters from WWII, with their amazing art work and short slogans got the point across-“Do your bit and knit;” Rosie the Rivieter’s “We can do it.”

For our school kids, folks working from home or anyone who has a little bit of time, we need our own messages to remind us to stay vigilant about the 4Ss (Ssing it):

Social Distancing:

- Stay 6 feet away from other people

- Stay away from large crowds

- Avoid sick people

- Don't shake hands-opt for Namaste bow, jazz hands, wave, the gong shou gesture, or the Vulcan Live long. Note that leg shakes, fist and elbow bumps violate the 6 feet rule.

Soap (hand washing) & Sanitize (clean surfaces)

Stay Home

- if you are sick

- your child is sick

- you can telecommute (work from home)

Safely Cough

- Into a tissue

- Your arm

Any type of art work that promotes "Ssing It," we'll be posted on-line and used in handouts, with the artist getting full credit. We need all types of art and from all ages- Photographs, videos, drawings, sculptures, poems, short essays. There is no set timeline, so e-mail it to Cavendish Connects or post to Cavendish Facebook Page.

4. BRENDA’S MOTHER’S IRISH SODA BREAD: Brenda Gregory’s mother was from County Cork, Ireland. If you don’t know Brenda, she lives in Cavendish and is the most wonderful story teller. Among my favorite stories is about how she grew up during WWII. While working her family’s Victory Garden, and helping out by being a plane spotter, she managed to acquire patches from many of the American military divisions. She sewed them on two different jackets and wore them constantly.  They’re amazing.

4 cups white flour

1 t baking soda

1 t salt

1 cup sugar (I use unrefined, raw or turbo sugar)

• Blend the above.

• Cut in small lumps of butter 1 and ½ sticks and blend. Will have the consistency of a pie dough.

• Add 1 cup currants and 1 and ½ cups buttermilk and ¼ cup caraway seeds. (You can substitute rasians and it’s okay to omit the caraway seeds)

• Blend until mixed.

• Form a large ball and divide in half to form two smaller balls

On a large baking sheet (use parchment paper) lay each half. Not too close together as they spread. You can use two cake pans or cast iron skillets.

Can brush tops with a mix of 1 egg yolk plus 2 T of water and then sprinkle with sugar. (I don’t do this). Use a sharp knife to cut an “X” into each loaf. This is important because it lets the fairies out.

Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes

                      Do your part ………………………..Stay a Part (by six feet)

                        Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Covid-19 Update: 3/15/20

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Covid-19 Brief 3/15/20

1.Two cases connected to Ludlow

2. How this impacts Cavendish

3. Prevention Handout

4. We know you’ve got questions

Some housekeeping issues. With Covid-19 now in our area, we will be posting first thing in the morning to summarize what’s happened in the last 24 hours and what you can expect in the day(s) ahead. Just like we did during Irene. The Cavendish Facebook page is your resource for up to date information. Sometimes we have to backtrack and delete any post that we find isn’t quite right. It’s a tad overwhelming at the moment.

Be aware that as more testing becomes available, you will be hearing of many more positive cases. Try not to freak out. This data will help to determine how adjust various prevention measures, such as more closings.

If you are feeling anxious and stressed by the rapid chain of events, know you’re having a perfectly normal reaction to a very abnormal set of circumstances. We’ll be posting tips throughout the day to help reduce some of that. This situation will not last forever, and even though we’ll be dealing with it for a while, it will get easier as we adjust to our new normal.

Finally, don’t spend all day on-line as too much information can make you crazy. It’s going to be sunny and 40 degrees-early spring weather. Get out and enjoy it but keep 6 feet from anyone you might meet. It’s all about the social distancing.

1. TWO COVID-19 CASES CONNECTED TO LUDLOW: According to the Ludlow Police Department’s Facebook page, two of the three presumptive cases of Covid-19 are associated with Ludlow. Yesterday, the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) issued the following: The Vermont Department of Health reported three new presumptive positive cases in Vermont of the new coronavirus COVID-19… The first is a Windsor County male over the age of 80. He is hospitalized at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in White River Junction, Vermont. The second is a Washington County male in his 50’s. He was initially treated at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, Vermont. He is currently in home isolation, following CVMC’s home care protocols. The third new presumptive positive case is also a male in his 50’s. He is a resident of Westchester County, New York. He was evaluated and tested at Springfield Hospital in Springfield, Vermont, and is self-isolating.

2. CAVENDISH IMPACT:

TRSU Schools Closed: The following was sent yesterday at 3:59 pm by Meg Powden, Superintendent of the TRSU.
Dear Families, Teachers and Staff,

An individual from Ludlow has a presumptive case of Covid-19 corona virus. Given what I know about this situation, and after being in conversation with a nurse from the Vermont Department of Health and Secretary French of the Agency of Education, I have decided to close our schools until further notice.

Black River High School Middle School, Cavendish Town Elementary School, Chester-Andover Elementary School, Green Mountain Union School, Ludlow Elementary School and Mount Holly School are closed to students, teachers and most of our staff. Only the administration, school nurses and maintenance personnel are allowed in our buildings at this time.

I will keep you updated as our status changes.

Smiling Faces Childcare in Cavendish Will Remain open and has a couple spots available for school aged children. Call 226-7824 if you are in need of childcare during school closure

Cavendish Town Office Closed to the Public: The Cavendish Town office will be closed to all non-essential personnel starting Monday. The office staff will work normal hours and can be reached by phone 802-226-7291. The office will be closed to the public until further notice. Try the Town Website to see if it can answer some of your questions. Our Town Clerk and Treasurer left the following message on Facebook, The office may be closed but we will be there and ready to help as needed! As is said "It takes a village" and we've got not just one, but two fabulous ones.

Churches: Vermont Catholic Diocese issued a statement from Bishop Christopher Coyne that said the obligation to attend Sunday Mass has been suspended for all Catholics. Mass will still be offered in parishes. 

• The Episcopal Church in Vermont has cancelled public in-person worship.

• Cavendish Baptist Church will hold Sunday service with social distancing but will be closed after Sunday’s service.

• St. James closed today

• Calvary Church will have regularly scheduled service at 10 am

Okemo Mountain Closed for the Week: Okemo and Vail Resorts, including information for employees, click here. Other ski areas are closing, so call ahead before venturing out.

Restaurants: Goodman’s American Pie has closed their dining room until further notice. They will be doing TOGO only. Call early to get your orders at a time that works best.

3. PREVENTION INFORMATION HANDOUT: Go to the Dish for a prevention handout that you can print. It’s all about the 4 S’s-Social distancing; soap (wash those hands); Stay home when sick; Safely cough into a tissue or your arm.

We will have more handouts to make information easier for you. In the meantime, please check the How to Get What You Need section of yesterday’s Cavendish Update as it has lots of useful information.

4. WE KNOW YOU HAVE QUESTIONS: For that matter, so do we. Until we hear from VDH, we don’t know who may have an exposure risk. No need to constantly post. As soon as we know something, we’ll post it. In the mean time, follow COO of VT Medical Center’s recommendation, You should assume when you're going out and about in public right now, that you could be being exposed. And you should take all appropriate precautions, because it's out there, broader than just the two people that are currently in the hospital.”

                        Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Protect Yourself, Your Family & Cavendish from Covid-19

Cavendish Update 3/14/20: Cavendish in the Time of Covid-19

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3/14/20: Special Post: Cavendish in the time of Covid-19

1. What’s changed in the last 24 hours

2. Be Safe: Practice the 4 S’s + 1

3. Getting What You Need in Cavendish

4. We’ve Got This

1. WHAT’S CHANGED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS: While the national news is covering stories of an empty New York City, our Facebook pages are filled with pictures of bare shelves in Ludlow, Springfield and Rutland.

Warm temps, rain and mid-March, isn’t exactly a skier’s weekend. As one person commented on the Cavendish VT Facebook page, Shaw's was packed first thing and ALL day today. Not just skiers... 2nd homeowners coming to stay while schools and workplaces are closed at home. Since many of these people are coming from areas that are more likely to have cases of Covid-19, it’s important to follow the 4 S’s + 1 outlined in item 2 below.

• Both Governor Scott and the President have declared states of emergency. For Vermont, it bans “all large non-essential mass gatherings of more than 250 people in a single room or single space at the same time for social and recreational activities.” It places restrictions on visitors to medical and elder care facilities and expands unemployment insurance to Vermonters who are required to self-isolate or quarantine. Read the Governor’s Executive Order which remains in effect until April 15. So far, the only ski areas to close are Jay Peak and Burke.

 The president’s declared emergency, under several different provisions of the law, frees up as much as $50 billion in federal assistance to state and local governments, and makes it easier to bring medical resources to areas that need them most. Learn more.

• The Vermont Legislature is adjourned until March 24.

• VT Supreme Court is postponing some jury trials

• VT Schools are open for now but parents are strongly encouraged to make back up plans. The TRSU issued the following statement yesterday. In response to the growing concerns around exposure to the COVID-19 virus, the following Southeast Regional Supervisory Unions and school districts are making the collective decision to implement the following procedures in their schools. These procedures are subject to change given the fluctuating nature of this situation. We will be constantly monitoring this situation and will update communities as needed.

As of Friday, March 13, 2020 at 5 p.m., all school related community gatherings will be canceled.

As of Friday, March 13, 2020, any public events scheduled in our schools will be canceled. We will hold meetings electronically whenever possible. This is a cautionary measure. The administrators at the school your child attends will send out details on specific activities. We will reassess this decision on an ongoing basis and update as new facts present themselves.

• Europe is now the epicenter of the pandemic. As such, anyone returning from Europe will be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. Call Health Department epidemiology and infectious disease staff at 802-863-7240 for monitoring information.

• The FDA has just approved a new test from Roche, with  400,000 tests being shipped this weekend with 1.5 million being manufactured per month. Target, Walmart, CVS and Walgreen have pledged to make parking lots available for drive-through testing. This will take several weeks to ramp up.

• Cancellations and re schedulings are literally changing by the hour so call ahead before heading out to an event.

2. BE SAFE: PRACTICE THE 4 S’s + 1: The goal is to increase social distancing in order to slow the spread of the virus, thereby avoiding a huge spike in the number of people getting sick all at once. The U.S. healthcare system doesn’t have the hospital beds, ventilators or staff if that were to happen and would be overwhelmed much in the same way Italy is right now.  Learn more about this Flattening a Pandemic’s Curve: Why Staying Home Now Can Save Lives.

• Social distancing: Avoid crowds. Give people their personal space by staying 6 feet away. Avoid sick people. Don’t shake hands. Instead try any of the following: Namaste bow, “jazz hands,” wave, use the gong shou gesture-a fist in the opposite palm (think Jet Lee), or the Vulcan live long and prosper greeting. Fist bumps, elbow bumps and leg shakes aren’t recommended since they require being closer than 6 feet.

As far as shopping, go at times, such as early morning, before there are a lot of other shoppers. Market Basket opens at 7 am.

Telecommute when possible.

• Soap: Use plenty of it to wash your hands. Wash your hands throughout the day with soap & water, using hand sanitizer when that’s not available. Proper hand washing includes using soap (either bar or liquid), rubbing the backs of hands, between your fingers and under your nails for 20 seconds. Water temperature doesn’t matter, but cooler water helps to reduce the drying effect. Use lotion to avoid dry/cracked skin.

Your phone is your third hand so wipe it down often.

New research indicates that the virus can stay on hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours and on cardboard for up to 24 hours. Use ammonia or alcohol based products for cleaning.

 • Stay at home if you are sick. Keep your child out of school if they are sick

 • Safely cough by doing so in a tissue or on your arm.

 The fifth S is staying sane. If you are feeling anxious that is a perfectly normal reaction to an abnormal situation. You can help to reduce those feelings by:

• Not overdoing the information. Know enough to be safe, but not so much that you are obsessed.

• Limit screen time

• Take necessary and recommended precautions, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

• Keep up daily routines and make changes when necessary

• Stay physically active, preferably outdoors. Spring is on the way so get outside for long walks, early gardening etc.

• Stay social. There is a lot you can do while still not violating personal space. Texting, messaging, Facetime, Skype, e-mail, and phone calls all help. A message about social media-please, please use good judgement and check before you “share” or “post.” There are outrageous items being posted that are truly fake news and could ultimately harm someone. Using checkers like snopes.com can help to reduce some of this.

3. GETTING WHAT YOU NEED IN CAVENDISH

• If you are unable to prepare due to lack of resources, lost wages etc. contact Black River Good Neighbor who issued a letter yesterday that states, “As businesses close and people have no paychecks, their ability to put food on the table or to pay rent will diminish. We have been planning for such an emergency and expect that our services will continue uninterrupted. We will be there to help residents of Ludlow, Cavendish, Proctorsville, Mount Holly, Belmont and Plymouth. Anyone needing help may call 802-228-3663 and ask what to do. If you are feeling well and not under quarantine, come to the food shelf at 37B Main Street in Ludlow…our children’s Food shelf is available if your child is out of school and needs food.”

• If you are not safe where you live: At a time when people are being asked to stay home, this can be particularly difficult for anyone who is dealing with domestic violence. Call the Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence 800-228-7395 for help.

• Working/Studying Remotely -Internet Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi is available at the Cavendish Library in Proctorsville and the Ludlow Public Library. Both have free Wi-fi inside and outside in their respective parking lots. Ludlow has no password, just select the network “FML-Public.” The Cavendish Library Wi-Fi requires a password, which  is available from the Librarian 802-226-7503 or Town Office 802-226-7291.

• Library Resources: Both Cavendish and Ludlow Libraries are a great resource for our community, particularly when you need some entertainment. They are disinfecting constantly to reduce the spread of germs. Cavendish Library posted the following message We are sanitizing all items which come and go into and out of the library, and regularly wiping down high touch areas of the library. Further, we have installed sanitizing stations at both library entrances. We expect that all patrons will use these or wash their hands when they enter the library.

                                 Do Not go to the library if you are sick.

Cavendish Library is providing the following services

-       With notice, library volunteers will pick items up from or deliver items to your home. Patrons may call (226-7503) or Facebook message the library to arrange this.

-       The library will relax borrowing limits during this time, to allow patrons extra items.

-       Cavendish Cares Bags: The library has a limited number of bags with such supplies as tissues, wipes and non-perishables to support community members during their illness. There is a limit of one per family.

-       Movie Bags: We have mixed bags of various DVDs from our sale section that may be borrowed for an indeterminate amount of time.

-       Online E-Books and Audio Books: Patrons may download free e-books and audio books through the library website using the “Libby” app.

Ludlow Public Library: If you prefer not to go in-check out their on-line catalog, give them a call 802-228-8921, and they will place a hold. You will receive an e-mail or phone when your items are ready for pick-up.

Dinning Out or In: Murdock’s has posted that they are happy to provide take out if you don’t want to eat “in.” However they are thoroughly disinfecting between seatings. Check Facebook or call for other restaurants. As “take outs” are going to be more popular, call ahead to place your order and don’t wait thinking they can easily accommodate an order for 10 at 6:30.

Cavendish Cares Bags are filled with  items to provide comfort for those who are sick. Obtain a bag by stopping by the Cavendish Library or calling 802-226-7131. If you have been asked to quarantine in place, please call-DO NOT STOP by the library. 

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. 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

If you have an emergency, call 911.

4. WE GOT THIS: While the state’s slogan is “Vermont Strong,” Cavendish’s is more like “Cavendish Tough.”

 Our history shows that we know how to take care of one another be it from flooding-most recently Irene; disease-a small pox epidemic caused numerous cancellations, just as Covid-19 is doing; or other natural disasters-our fire fighters were on the front lines of putting out the Hawk’s Mountain fire that lasted close to a week.

Everybody is feeling a certain level of anxiety about what lies ahead, which could be week, a month or even longer. Keep in mind we’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again in the same manner as we’ve always done -together, with respect, encouragement and humor.

As always, check on your neighbors being mindful of personal space (6 feet) and make phone calls, e-mail, text, message etc. Be sure to check on 2nd homeowners, some of whom are coming from challenging situations, as resources are limited where they may be coming from. We’re all connected and the world could use some of our Cavendish toughness.

While many remember from Irene, everyone went to the shelter, due to social distancing, we’re asking people to go to the Cavendish VT Facebook page for information. You don’t have to be a subscriber to see this page.

Finally, if your feeling particularly stressed, check out “one of our own,” Ignat Solzhenitsyn’s on-line videos. There is nothing like a piano concerto to sooth the nerves.

 Stay healthy to protect yourself and our community.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS