Cavendish Update 4/8/20: Kids/masks

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4/8/20

1.    Yes. Children Get Covid-19

2.    Cave Fish Answers: Should my child wear a mask?

3.    What’s Been Happening

4.    Sanity Break

5.    Events

We’re staying at home this week for the first responders/fire fighters of Cavendish and Proctorsville.

While the bandana mask is just fine in meeting the Governor's request that everyone wear a facial covering in public, we know that may not be possible for everyone. Do you or family members need a cloth mask? Have you made some that you'd like to donate? We want to make sure everyone in Cavendish-people that work here, 2nd homeowners, volunteers, kids home from college, from Grandparents to 2 year olds- have appropriate face coverings. Going to be a really cool collectable someday right? If you either need or are making cloth masks and would like to donate them, please e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com to arrange delivery and/or pick up.

How’s egg production going? Looking forward to seeing lots of creative eggs along the roadways on Saturday.

 Each of us is approaching “Stay at Home” a bit differently and many now face unique challenges, as they learn friends and family are getting sick, and in some cases very ill or worse. Others are very worried by frightening news stories coming out of areas where loved ones live.

 My sons are in NYC and have had Covid-19. They assure me, that the City is not as bad as what the news is reporting and yeah they have no problems getting TP or anything else. The laundromat is a different scenario and all I can think of is their retorts as kids, “Smell ya later.”

No matter how you are dealing with this, remember we’re wired for resiliency. History, as well as research, shows us this again and again. It’s in our DNA  and we will, minute by minute, day by day, week by week and month by month if we have to, get through this.

There are resources to help, so don’t hesitate to use them:

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255  

• Vermont Suicide Prevention Center: Text VT to 741741

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

• Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746  

• More resources are available at the Cavendish Covid-19 Resource Guide.

Before we launch in today’s topics, we know from recent shopping that some people continue to snatch paper products before the rest of us even know they’re on the shelves. However, we are fortunate to have some available for folks that need it. Special thanks to our Inn owners for making sure we can help our community.

If you need help with shopping, a transfer station run, TP or something else, please call the Cavendish Town Office, M-F from 9-5 226-7291 or 7292.

1. YES, CHILDREN GET COVID-19: There is a myth that children can't get Covid-19. Yes, they can and while their symptoms may be milder, babies and toddlers are more at risk. Anyone, regardless of age with a pre-existing condition, as well as adults over 60 are at much higher risk. Unfortunately, as the pandemic has swept the US, children have died from it. Please practice social distancing as it's the one tool we have that is working. Most Kids Only Get Mildly Sick From Covid-19-But not all.

As the pandemic has increased in Vermont, the average age of those infected has decreased to the highest frequency being those 50-59 and there have been 13 cases in the 10-19 year old category. Covid-19 Vermont Dashboard

2. THE CAVE FISH ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS: Should my child wear a mask? If they’re playing cowboys or cops & robbers, masks are absolutely a requirement if you’re the bad guy. As far as wearing them to protect others from their germs, that can be a bit more challenging. The CDC says not to mask anyone under 2 of if they have breathing issues. They also recommend masking when in public places where it’s not easy to maintain social distancing, such as the grocery store. As much as parents are trying to minimize bringing kids to the store and other places, sometimes, particularly if you are a single parent, that may not be possible. Masks for Cavendish kids are being made and we’re working with the school for distribution.

3. WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING

• Black River Independent School Committee Announces Pilot Program

• Ludlow Rotary Penny Sale canceled for 2020

• Dorsey Park in Ludlow is closed until further notice. No skateboarding there for a while.

• Self-employed can start filing unemployment claims within a week:

 4. SANITY BREAK: Here’s a tip from the Italians, plan your stay at home day using the Staying Strong, Active, Neighbourly and Energetic Checklist. The idea is that you look through the list each morning and score each item that appeals to you from 0-10. If you have a partner, he or she does the same. Then plan your day, focusing on your top-scoring items.

5. 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.

April 8 (Wednesday): Passover begins

April 11 (Saturday): The Cavendish Easter Egg Hunt for Essential Workers: Display an egg of any design by 10 on Saturday so our essential workers can do their own egg hunt on their way to and from work.

April 12 (Sunday): Happy Easter

Staying home for Patty, Bob Kirkbride, Singletons, Dave Norton, Deb Hryckiewicz, Ludlow Ambulance Service and the Cavendish Water/Waste Water Treatment Team, Rocky and the Cavendish Transfer Station Crew, Cavendish Town Crew, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Cavendish/Proctorsville firefighters & first responders.

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 4/6/20: Masks/Easter/Checks

Betty was trying to keep life as normal as possible. 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.

4/6/20

1.    Face coverings

2.    The Cavendish Easter Egg Hunt

3.    Cave Fish Answers: When can I expect my stimulus check?

4.    What’s Been Happening

5.    Sanity Break

6.    Events

We’re staying at home this week for the first responders/fire fighters of Cavendish and Proctorsville. They put their lives on the line each time they are called out. Let’s keep them safe by staying home, or six feet apart wearing a cloth face mask or scarf. Also, NO OPEN BURNING. They were toned out over the weekend for a non-permitted burn. No excuses here. This is not a risk we can afford to take.

This weekend I’ve been singing, “Mask maker, mask maker make me a mask.” If you are thinking “Fiddler on the Roof” you’ve got it. Yes, I can follow the Surgeon General’s Video on the folding of a mask, but there is one flaw-rubber bands. What happen to those? As a kid I remember all sorts of them being around the house. They came with newspapers and assorted other things. My father even had a dedicated section of a drawer for them. Today, not so much. So I spent some time this weekend trying all sorts of things. See Item 1 below for my solution to the rubber band problem.

We need something fun to do this week, and with Easter close by what better way than the Great Cavendish Easter Egg Hunt for our essential workers. See item 2.

As we begin what feels like our 4th week of intense social distancing, keep up the good work. It’s making a difference. A reminder, as we move into the peak period-the next several weeks or more. For those of you who think it’s fine to go about business as usual, understand that if you get sick, you put many more people at risk than just yourself. You deserve better and so do we. If that’s not enough incentive, there are now enforcement orders in place that can levy fines up to $1,000.

Be sure to check out the Events section, as it’s changed a bit this week.

If you need help with shopping, a transfer station run or something else, please call the Cavendish Town Office, M-F from 9-5 226-7291 or 7292.

1. THE INS AND OUTS OF CLOTH FACE COVERINGS: This past Saturday, the Cavendish Fire Department distributed about 40 cloth masks, one per family. Thank you and special thanks to all who traded in N95s and protective gear for our local hospitals.

Cloth face covering 101:. The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. This is being done because people may not have symptoms but may be contagious. Note-the covering doesn’t protect you but rather it helps to protect those you come in contact with from anything you might have. The Governor referred to this as “altruistic” prevention.

So for Cavendish, if you are going to the post office, Singletons, Shaws etc., please cover up.

When you have used your mask, take it off very carefully and try not to touch eyes, nose and mouth when removing and definitely wash your hands for 20 seconds immediately afterwards.

Clean your mask regularly. The CDC is a bit vague, what’s “regular?” I could digress on that but... According to the CDC They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use. A washing machine is  sufficient for keeping it clean.

Chances are good you are going to want more than one mask, so the CDC has set up a site to offer a variety of options for making them including no sew options.

I’ve spent some time on the rubber band problem for the bandana cover, and after trying various other items-hair ties etc. I settled on a thin strip of T-shirt, cut to 10 inches and tied. It held the mask in place and it didn’t hurt my ears. If you don’t have a bandana, a 22” square of cotton fabric (e.g. old sheet, pillow case, shirt etc.) will work.

If you are unable to either make or secure the proper covering, you can request one by calling 226-7131 or e-mailing cavendishconnects@gmail.com. Please note that we do have someone that is making masks for children.  If you have time to make masks to help others in Cavendish, please e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com to arrange for pick up.

2. THE GREAT CAVENDISH EASTER EGG HUNT: Easter is less than a week away and we usually have a town Easter Egg hunt the Saturday before. Why should Covid-19 stop this tradition? Like everything else in Cavendish, we’re doing it a little different this year.

You can download an egg to color or make a unique creation. On April 11 (Saturday), by 10 AM, we’re asking people to hang an egg so our essential workers can drive by and see them on their way to and from work. Put your egg  on a mail box, window, fence post, tree or whatever works for your home or business. Big ones, little ones, make a tableau, throw some peeps in there, or some other Easter variation. How many will they find?

3. THE CAVE FISH ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS: When can I see my stimulus check? The first stimulus checks will go out around mid April to those who have filed 2018 and/or 2019 taxes and whose payment details are already on record. Learn more.

4. WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING

• A surge trailer has been set up at Mt. Ascutney Hospital for use if it is needed.

• The GMUHS board meeting is tonight at 6 pm. It is being conducted via Zoom. The agenda includes the Zoom information, including how you can conference call to participate in the meeting.

• Enforcing Vermont’s ‘Stay Home’ order, fines up to $1,000

• TRSU offers superintendent position to Fierman: The Two Rivers Supervisory Union board offered Green Mountain High School Principal Lauren Fierman a two-year contract to replace Meg Powden as superintendent beginning on July 1, 2020. Board chair Joe Fromberger noted that there were still a couple of hoops to jump through, including background checks and the approval of the Agency of Education, before her appointment is finalized. Fromberger also said that he believes that the SU would begin advertising for a new principal shortly and asks for volunteers to serve on a search committee at the next GM board meeting. Chester Telegraph

 5. SANITY BREAK: This comes from Linda Thomson, a nurse hypnotist. During this unimaginable time of global crisis, this video was created with my local public access TV station to provide people the opportunity to take time to relax, to bolster their immune system and enhance their ability to cope and better protect themselves from the COVID 19 virus. This video is a hypnotic, meditative journey of about 30 minutes; my gift to you. Enjoy, stay healthy and well. We are all in this together and we will get through this and look forward to the better days ahead. http://okemovalley.tv/hypnotherapy-covid-19

6. 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. Denise now has a You Tube Channel to help you out.

April 6 (Monday): GMUHS board meeting. Participation is available via Zoom and conference call. Agenda includes contact information.

April 8 (Wednesday): Passover begins

April 11 (Saturday): The Cavendish Easter Egg Hunt for Essential Workers

April 12 (Sunday): Happy Easter

Staying home for Patty, Bob Kirkbride, Singletons, Dave Norton, Deb Hryckiewicz, Ludlow Ambulance Service and the Cavendish Water/Waste Water Treatment Team, Rocky and the Cavendish Transfer Station Crew, Cavendish Town Crew, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Cavendish/Proctorsville firefighters & first responders.

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: 4/3/20 Market Update/New Resources

Having Dad home affected the kids in different ways. 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.

4/3/20

1.    Cavendish Resources Updated

2.    The Cave Fish: Links for mental health resources?

3.    Market Update 4/1/20 by Mark Huntley

4.    What’s Been Happening

5.    Sanity Break

6.    Events

We’re staying at home for Cavendish’s Town Crew today. Thank you for working to maintain our roads during challenging situations.

 As we continue in our Stay at Home, Stay Safe, we know it’s not always easy. However, we are making a difference, in spite of the screaming headlines that truthfully can make my skin crawl some days. The rates of positive cases for Windsor County, they don’t break down any further than that, are not rising that rapidly. We held at 18 cases for almost a solid week, and went up by two yesterday. Keep up the good work.  We don’t want to just “bend that curve, “ we want to pound that sucker into the ground!!! The peak period is estimated to occur from mid-April to early May. Oh, did you know that social distancing also cuts crime? Nice benefit.

If you aren’t aware, you can skip those trips to the grocery store all together now as Singleton’s not only is providing curb side pick-up, but they are providing free delivery for those who live within 5 miles of the store, and charge a nominal fee for those outside that area. Thank you Singleton’s!!

And really, I cannot believe I’m still having to write about our TP crises. Years from now our kids will be telling their kids about the Toilet Paper Panic of 2020. Just what are these people doing with it? If you are running out and can’t find it, we have located several sources and can get it to you. Just call the Town Office. Who in their right mind would have ever thought we’d be placing calls and saying, “Can you spare a roll?” Geesh!

Finally, I want to take a moment and thank all of you who have contributed to Cavendish Connects. It makes a real difference and I’ve enjoyed your notes and e-mails. Each of us is making a difference, but together we’re unstoppable.

See ya Monday and I’ll be at the Cavendish Facebook page over the weekend.

If you need help with shopping, a transfer station run or something else, please call the Cavendish Town Office, M-F from 9-5 226-7291 or 7292.

1. CAVENDISH RESOURCES UPDATED: To make things easier for everyone, we now have new pages to help you stay on top of available resources, as well as continuing to provide you with new ways you can help out. Because so many people in Cavendish are self-employed, the Cavendish Covid-19 Resource Guide now has have a special section for Small Business Owners.

Many of you have asked how you can help, so there is now a How to Help Guide that lists many different ways you can contribute to this effort.

If you have additions, updates or corrections to either of these resources, please send them to cavendishconnects@gmail.com

2. THE CAVE FISH ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS: Do you have links to mental health resources, particularly for kids. Cavendish’s Kate Lamphere, of Health Care & Rehabilitation of Vermont (HCRS) answers that question, I am happy to chat with anyone about our supports and services. We are still open, taking new clients and providing telemedicine and telephone support. We also have 24/7 Crisis Line, 1-800-622-4235. Children, youth and adult. VT Helplink is the statewide, public resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services in Vermont. Call 802-565-LINK. Note that the Cavendish Resource Guide has a number of support services listed.

3. MARKET UPDATE 4/1/20: by Mark Huntley: There is a lot of news, our feeling is people want assurances that their financial ship is not going to sink.

 We are in bear market territory and this shut down may have put us into a recession, which is months sooner than we had anticipated. Armstrong Economics (whom I follow) sensed that our sentiment was shifting toward a recession and recommended positioning portfolios for that outcome back in January.

 It seems clear that the next 3-6 months is going to be about patience and letting these situations play out.  There are many opinions and thoughts on the virus and its impact on the economy and the markets. The Government’s stimulus and the Fed’s unprecedented liquidity actions “should” provide a reprieve within the financial markets, but this process will take some time.

Blue chip stocks, cash, treasuries and SHORT term high-quality corporate bonds might: 1) weather the ongoing volatility and 2) allow you to be in a position to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. 

 I mentioned the bond market before. The challenge is average investors (401k’s, Pensions, Target date mutual funds) are bond heavy. New issue bonds from “cruise lines” are offering 12-14% for a 3-year bond (institution only, so don’t get too excited) is not necessarily a positive.  Bonds globally are already bubble bound, and our 10-year bond is now closing in on 0%. The reality is, most folks do not know how bonds really work, what the risks are, and what duration to hold. I get it, as I can’t change the oil in my truck.

 This is from my “introductory” questionnaire to clients: The value of most investments fluctuates from year to year as well as over the short-term. How would you feel if an investment you had committed to for five to ten years lost 25% of its value during the first year?

A. I would be extremely concerned and would sell my investment.

B. I would be concerned and may consider selling my investment.

C. I would be concerned, but I would not consider selling my investment.

D. I would not be overly concerned given my long-term investment philosophy.

Please know how much risk you can take so you don’t sell into fear. Markets usually overreact and so do investors.

Tread carefully in a prudent and disciplined manner, and let’s be safe out there.

Mark a. Huntley, HUNTLEY FINANCIAL SERVICES inc.  Facebook

 4. WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING

• Details start to emerge on unemployment insurance, other relief payments: People who are filing for state unemployment insurance for this week will start receiving their weekly $600 supplement from the federal government when they receive their unemployment check next week, according to state officials. But for the self-employed and independent contractors, who are also in line to receive assistance from the state as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, the wait is going to be longer. It will be a few weeks before the state Department of Labor can set up and implement the new relief system for those who haven’t previously been eligible for unemployment insurance. VT Digger

• Gov. Scott is calling all Vermonters to sign up to volunteer through a website allowing people to support the state’s response to COVID-19. This website directs those with medical and health care skills to the Medical Reserve Corps, and those with other needed skills to a quick registration process for other needs.

• Fill out the Census, officials urge, amid fears pandemic will subdue participation

• Neal’s Restaurant Pays it Forward with “Feed a Friend for Five” In a little over two weeks, Neal Baron, owner of Neal’s Bar and Restaurant in Proctorsville, has gone from uncertainty to a laser focused purpose while navigating through the new normal of the COVID-19 pandemic. Driving him is the need to help his community in the best way he knows how – through great food. Enter his brainchild, “Feed a Friend for Five.” The concept is simple. Purchase a meal from his takeout menu, which is published on Facebook nightly, add $5 to your bill, and that will deliver his nightly meal special to a community member in need. The idea is an extension of one he heard happening in a Philadelphia pizza shop that encouraged patrons to buy an extra slice for a future customer who might be in need.

• Weston Playhouse has cancelled the 2020 summer’s season.

• Senate committee Zoom hearing derailed by porn hacker:

• The Cavendish Library is now offering some new services. Adult and teen patrons may call the library 226-7503 to request a bag of books and or movie-specify genre. These are yours to keep. Please allow us 24 hours to put together your request.  When filled, it will be at the library entrance with your name on it. Students grades Pre-K through 6 will receive a bag with 2-4 free books in it each month.  These are yours to keep. CTES students are already signed up for this program. If you are a homeschooler contact the library if you would like your child to be part of this program. Thank you to CLiF and the Windham Foundation for supporting this endeavor. Please be aware that these programs are for Cavendish residents and CTES students and staff.

• For all you Harry Potter fans, no age limit, J.K. Rowling has a new free website Harry Potter at Home.

• Risk of COVID-19 exposure from packages is ‘small and manageable’: While recent research has shown that the virus can be detected on some surfaces for up to a day, “the reality is that the levels drop off quickly.”

• Covid-19 Affects Funeral Practices

 • Springfield Hospital to open testing site, alters some procedures

 5. SANITY BREAK: You can help yourself by helping others. Go to Cavendish How You Can Help and select something to do.  

6. 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. Class schedule for the week.

 Fri (4/3) 7 am Bootcamp with Denise
Sat (4/4) 7 am Good Morning Sun Salutations with Lori
Sat (4/4) 9 am Above the Barre with Kata

 Staying home for Patty, Bob Kirkbride, Singletons, Dave Norton, Deb Hryckiewicz, Ludlow Ambulance Service and the Cavendish Water/Waste Water Treatment Team, Rocky and the Cavendish Transfer Station Crew, and Cavendish Town Crew.

 Have a Heart -stay home or 6 feet apart. 

                        Stay healthy to protect yourself and Cavendish.

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

How You Can Help

Below is a list of ways you can help in Cavendish. Volunteers can register to help by calling 802-226-7291 or 7292, Mon-Fri, from 9-5.

• Stay at home or 6 feet a part and help to “bend the curve.”

• Donate blood

• Donation of funds can be made to local groups helping with the relief effort, such as

-       Black River Good Neighbor

-       Cavendish Connects

-       Cavendish Family Fund, send checks to Cavendish Town Office, PO Box 126 Cavendish, VT 05142

-       Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department

-       Ludlow Ambulance Service

-       Procotorsville Fire Department

• Healthy volunteers to drop off food, personal shopper and run errands. No direct contact with people. Call 802-226-7291 or 7292 to register as a volunteer, M-F, 9-5. The state also has a volunteer registry for childcare, grocery worker, public works, professional, drivers etc.

• If you are a retired or other medical professional, including EMS, please consider becoming a medical volunteer by signing up with the Vermont Volunteer Responder Management System.

• Call neighbors and friends to see how they are doing. Make sure to call those who are not on line and could be missing important information.

• If you have special skills with Internet or connectivity technology, please register above. You can assist people by phone with computer, phone and other types of issues

• Do you have any skill that you could help community members with by phone or e-mail? e.g. simple home repairs

• Business owners: Organize a group to discuss what type of business our town needs so it's not dependent on tourism as a main source of income.

 • Every one that belongs to a church, place of employment, social organization or a network of friends can start planning now how they can organize themselves to help those who may be most in need. Town wide tag sale is July 25 (Saturday).

 • Keep a journal. At the end , make a copy and donate it to the Cavendish Historical Society, PO Box 472, Cavendish VT 05142. These will help future generations deal with challenging times.

 • Call and collect stories from the oldest members of your town that remember WWII. What advise do they have for today's children? Type up interviews and send to the Cavendish Historical Society, PO Box 472, Cavendish VT 05142 or margocaulfield@icloud.com

• Write notes and letters to local nursing home and hospitals. These are lonely times for seniors and those in quarantine. You can write to Gill Odd Fellows Home of Vermont, Inc 8 Gill Terrace, Ludlow VT 05149

• Gardeners: How to start indoor gardens. Want to write an article? Send it to cavendishconnects@gmail.com

• Kids-Draw pictures to support the messaging of staying at home; keep a journal that they can share with their children and grandchildren.

• Become a citizen scientist. There are many many projects now that use citizens to help. Everything from tracking stars to counting insects

• Run a special Zoom group

• Hair stylists-offering tips for maintaining that do

• Donate or make masks and other personal protection equipment for area medical facilities:

Ludlow Ambulance Services

 Mt. Ascutney

Springfield Hospital

• Prayers are always helpful

• Make someone laugh