Cavendish Update 2/5/21: News/Covid/Events
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2/5/21
1. Cavendish Info
2. Covid update
3. Events
1. CAVENDISH INFO
• Missing Teen from a residential facility in Cavendish: Allyssa Norman, who is 16, white, with red/purple hair, 5/3” and weighing 105lbs has been missing since Jan. 30. She was wearing a gray hoodie sweatshirt, jeans and black Converse. If you have any information, please call VSP 802-722-4600.
• The Story Behind the Rumor: For many years the story has been passed down that a runaway slave named Charlotte and her sister are buried in the right hand corner of the Coffeen Cemetery. The Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) continues to do research, but the actual story is better than you might imagine. Learn about Peter Tumbo, abolitionist, Revolutionary War vet, landowner, and former slave who lived in Cavendish for almost 40 years, at the CHS blog. The blog also contains the February 1 Brief, that outlines an opportunity to read Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s Between Two Millstone: Exile in America 1978-1884.
• Black River Good Neighbors (BRGN) Needs Donations: BRGN is requesting donations of housewares (including sets of dishes that are not cracked or chipped); linens (sheets, bedding, bath towels, kitchen towels, curtains, drapes); winter socks; clothing that is not stained or torn; arts & crafts items; sewing supplies; yarn and lamps.
• Proctorsville Resident Martha Mott Teaching Live Authentically at Antioch University: A new facilitator, Martha Mott will be teaching a ten week course-Live Authentically-along with a series of Webinars at Antioch University. To register and learn more about her course offerings, including a free introductory Webinar, click here.
• Vermonters issues 'mass recall' of 1099 forms after incorrect information mailed: Vermont's Department of Labor is recalling all 1099-G forms after issuing incorrect tax documents. The department received reports Monday that some Vermonters had 1099-G tax documents with names and addresses that did not match the envelope. If you have received a 1099-G from the Department of Labor please keep the document until you get further guidance. Claimants will be receiving a self-addressed envelope to return the incorrect 1099. Replacement 1099s will be sent by the Department. The state will provide instructions for identity protection to anyone whose personal information was potentially released. In the meantime, monitor your bank and credit card accounts for any unauthorized activity. If you believe your identity may be stolen, contact Experian, Transunion and Equifax to freeze your credit score, or file an identity theft report at IdentityTheft.gov or USA.gov. All are free of charge. Please note, these steps apply ONLY to forms sent by the Department of Labor, and not to other State of Vermont 1099s. In addition to correcting the information, we will make sure consumer and identity protections are in place. More details on who and how to get protected, will be forthcoming. For more information go to the Dept. of Labor’s page 1099 Improper Mailing and Data Incident Updates
• Picturesque and unpolarised: how Vermont crushed the coronavirus: The Sydney Morning Herald
2. COVID UPDATE: Vermont has exceeded the 12,000 mark of Covid cases (12,503 as of 2/4/21), but the numbers are dropping and Cavendish, once again had no new cases in the last two weeks.
For the first time, VT Health Commissioner, Mark Levine MD, on Tuesday noted that the ski industry could be a source of increased cases of Covid. He specifically mentioned Bennington, which has the highest rate in the state. “There have been, not only on the site of a ski resort, but in the communities that are part of the ski resorts, cases that show up in worksites and in restaurants, to the point where in one or two times, several of those had to close due to staffing issues.”
Modeling: The modeling presented on Feb. 2 , continues to show a downward trend nationally, regionally and in VT. The current 7 day positivity rate in VT is now down to 1.8% as of 2/4/21. Regionally it’s dropped to 4.43% with a decline of 37% since Jan. 11. Cavendish had no new cases in the previous week, though Ludlow and Chester had one each and Springfield 15 cases.
Vaccines: On Thursday, VT set an important milestone with 10% of the 16+ population having receiving at least one dose of the vaccine, with nearly 23,000 people having receiving both doses.
The state is now receiving 22% more vaccine doses per week from the federal government Gov. Scott announced on Tuesday. The feds will also be offering two other sources of help: providing the tools to get the extra dose out of the Pfizer vaccine vials and providing pharmacies vaccine as part of a pilot project. The state has a contingency plan to use the VT National Guard to assist with distribution if vaccine allocations rise beyond planned for distribution.
Yesterday (2/4/21) Johnson & Johnson filed with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to approve their one-shot Covid-19 vaccination. J&J’s vaccine was safe and offered strong protection against moderate to severe COVID-19, according to preliminary results from a massive international study. It didn’t appear quite as strong as two-dose competitors made by Pfizer and Moderna -- a finding that may be more perception than reality, given differences in how each was tested. The panel will meet Feb. 26. J&J said it would have some vaccine ready to ship if the FDA allows emergency use of the shot, but it didn’t reveal how much. The pharmaceutical giant said it expects to supply 100 million doses to the U.S. by the end of June. AP
Note that clinics take place regardless of weather. If you can’t make an appointment, please call 855-722-7878 to cancel and reschedule. If you are making an appointment for the first time (75+), the quickest way is to register on-line. Starting next week the home bound population will be vaccinated using a combination of EMS and home health.
Once your age band has been called to make appointments, you can do so from then on out. If you are in group 1 A (health care providers, first responders) contact your local hospital for vaccine information.
I’ve been fully vaccinated so when can’t I ditch the mask? You’ll need to continue to socially distance and wear mask for a while until the community has reached heard immunity- when enough people have been infected or vaccinated the virus will start to subside on its own because there's just not enough susceptible people left to infect. Because there are limited doses of the vaccine, experts estimate that we won’t reach herd immunity (up to 85% of the population has either been vaccinated or had Covid) until the fall or winter 2022.
It takes time for the vaccine to kick in-about three weeks after the 2nd dose. The vaccines do not provide 100% protection. Those who have been vaccinated might be asymptomatic spreaders- experts are concerned that vaccinated people can still become infected without symptoms and then spread it to others who have not been vaccinated yet. We still need to protect those with compromised immune systems and those who can’t be vaccinated.
The vaccine is one more tool to fight the pandemic but it’s going to take time.
Variants: We’re basically in a race trying to get people vaccinated and beat the mutations. Indications are that the UK variant spreads easier and comes with higher mortality. Check out Vermont Deputy Health Commissioner On New COVID-19 Variants, Vaccinations
Up Your Masking: More and more public health officials are recommending a surgical mask covered by a cloth mask due to the new variant strains. Note that the CHS Cares Closet (next to the steps of the Museum) contains both cloth and surgical masks in the upper left hand shelf. Check out 5 Hacks to Make Your Face Mask More Protective
Local Resources: If you need to quarantine either from exposure or because you have Covid, local resources are available to help you:
- CHS Cares Closet: Masks (cloth and disposable), books, toys, craft supplies. Open 24/7. All free. Located next to the steps of the Cavendish Historical Society Museum.
3 UPCOMING EVENTS:
FEBRUARY 12 (FRIDAY): Gong hei fat choy! Happy Chinese New Year. It’s the year of the Ox. People born in the Year of the Ox are strong, reliable, fair and conscientious, inspiring confidence in others. They are also calm, patient, methodical and can be trusted. Although they say little they can be very opinionated. They believe strongly in themselves, but are also stubborn and hate to fail or be challenged.
FEBRUARY 14 (SUNDAY): HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY
FEBRUARY 15 (MONDAY): President’s Day, Town Office Closed
FEBRUARY 23 (TUESDAY): Town Meeting/Informational Meeting via Zoom, 6:30 pm.
MARCH 2 (TUESDAY): Election Day! You can obtain an absentee ballot if you prefer not to vote in person.
CA❤︎ENDSH-A SAFER SIX COMMUNITY
1. Vaccinate when it’s your turn
2. Mask-Cover nose and mouth; Double mask if possible
3. Social distance-6 feet at least and avoid uncrowded spaces
4. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently
5. Avoid unnecessary travel
6. Test if you have symptoms, have traveled out of state, or been in contact with someone who has tested positive.
