Cavendish Update 1/28/22: Town Mtg/Energy Costs/News/Events

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1/28/22

1.    Cavendish Town Meeting Moved to March 28

2.    Cavendish Info

3.    Reducing your Energy Bill

4.    Covid update

5.    Events

FREE COVID VACCINE CLINIC TOMORROW at the Cavendish Fire Department 10:30-1:30. N95s for adults and kids will be distributed. 

1. CAVENDISH TOWN MEETING MARCH 28: The Governor signed the bill allowing the Board to change the date of town meeting and to hold a vote by Australian ballot. At the Jan. 20 Select board meeting, the members  unanimously voted to move Town Meeting to Monday, March 28, 2022. This will be a hybrid meeting with voting by Australian ballot on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. Please note that the school budget vote will take place on March.1. Ludlow has also changed its town meeting day to April, but will hold the school vote on March 1. Minutes 1/20/22 Cavendish Select Board Meeting.

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Willie Kennedy: As co-owner of Ludlow Cooking Company, and one of Okemo’s longest employees (lift operator) many knew and loved Proctorsville resident Willie Kennedy.  Our sympathies to Frankie and Jenny, as well as his family and many friends, on his passing (Jan. 24). A Go Fund Me account was started to help the family. As noted, In lieu of flowers and food, please use this page to show support. It’s our hope to help his family manage the burden of this loss. A memorial is being held Feb. 5 (Saturday) from 3-7 pm at the Ludlow Community Center, located at 37 Main Street Ludlow, VT 05149. There is no formal program, so please feel free to drop in at any point to pay your respects. A spring memorial is being planned on Long Island.

• Become a “River Dipper” with BRAT: Cavendish has two swimming spots on the Black River that are tested weekly throughout the summer by the Black River Action Team (BRAT).. Have you got what it takes to be a volunteer “River Dipper” with the Black River Action Team? It takes a love of the outdoors (especially our river and the streams that feed it) an ability to drive to your site or sites as needed (regular Dippers sample every other weekend between mid-May and mid-August, while bacteria samplers visit their swimming hole every Wednesday morning between Memorial Day and Labor Day) and transport those samples to a drop-location in a timely fashion. Good attention to detail is important, as is an ability to follow directions and maintain communication. All training and equipment will be provided; several sites are available all around the Black River drainage basin: Plymouth, Reading, Ludlow, Cavendish, Ascutney, North Springfield, Weathersfield, and Springfield. BRAT is also looking for weekly monitors on both Knapp ponds, Muckross Pond, and Echo Lake. Spoiler alert: you’ll need a kayak or canoe for those Dipping spots. Please contact Kelly Stettner for more information blackrivercleanup@gmail.com or by leaving a message at 802-738-0456

• Cavendish Library February Events Book Club: The following events will be taking place at the Cavendish Library in Proctorsville-FMI: 802-226-7503

-       Dinner and a Movie: Monsoon Wedding February 13 (Sunday), 1 pm

-       The Book Club will be reading “Dogtripping” by David Rosenfelt. The meeting is Feb. 16. Books are available at the Cavendish Library. FMI 802-226

-       A visit with author David Rosenfelt, February 27 (Sunday), 1 pm

• “Borrow” Snowshoes from the Ludlow Library: Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow, which is free to Cavendish residents, now has snowshoes for the entire family to borrow. Call ahead to check availability. The loan period is 4 days. FMI: 802-228-8921

• UVM study paints grim picture at Springfield prison

• How the state hopes to fix Vermont’s spotty cell service

• $50M in new help for Vt. homeowners struggling with overdue bills: The aid is targeted toward Vermonters who have fallen behind on mortgage and utility payments. And unlike other packages, people can use it for past-due property taxes, too, dating all the way back to the beginning of the pandemic. Applicants will have to prove financial hardship from the pandemic and there’s a $30,000 cap per household.

• Antiques Road Show Coming to Vermont:

3. REDUCING YOUR ENERGY BILL: The recent announcement of Green Mountain Power’s (GMP) intent to raise their billing rate, resulted in many people posting to Facebook the high cost of their current GMP bill. To help in lowering the costs of this “monthly,” consider the following:

• Assess your energy usage by completing the How Much Electricity Does Your Home Use? 

• Check out Is your electric bill too high? Here’s how to troubleshoot

• Order the Free Energy Kit from Efficiency Vermont. Vermonters can get a free kit of products like LEDs and water-saving devices

• Participate in the upcoming webinars from Mt Ascutney Regional Commission: to help reduce costs as well as carbon foot print:

-       Advanced Wood Heat Webinar Feb. 3 (Thursday), 5:30 pm Two experts will discuss  advanced wood heating options and how they compare to other non-fossil fuel heating alternatives. To join the webinar and for more information, visit MARC’s Energy Page 

-       Learn how GMP's battery storage programs can help you stay powered up, while also reducing carbon emissions and lowering costs for all GMP customers. February 8 (Tuesday), 7 pm Register for the Webinar here.

4. COVID UPDATE: For local information on testing, vaccinations, boosters, notifying contacts as well as other resources, including for Long Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.

WEEKLY DATA:

Cavendish & Surrounding Towns  For the week ending January 19, Cavendish had 16 new cases of Covid (157 total); Ludlow 33 (302); Chester 35 (552); Springfield 116 (1,701) and Weathersfield 17 (226).

Area Nursing Homes: January 25 Report-Rutland Health & Rehab is showing cumulative 39 case, 4 this past week. The Pines at Rutland Center for Nursing & Rehab is reporting 25- seven in the last week and 10 at the Springfield Rivers Nursing & Rehab.

State: According to Tuesday’s modeling report COVID-19 cases remain elevated in Vermont, with the daily number of new infections averaging over 1000. However, the state reported nearly 2,900 fewer cases this week than last, a decrease of 27%. Vermont has now reported over 100,000 confirmed infections. The CDC Ensemble model predicts Vermont can expect lower COVID counts in the coming weeks; decreases in hospitalizations and deaths will lag falling cases.

Hospitalizations remain high with unvaccinated Vermonters occupying the majority of hospital beds. However, lengths of stay are shorter due to Omicron’s lower severity. For the last 14 days, Vermont has had 100 or more patients in hospital with Covid. Health Commissioner Dr. Levin noted that the deaths that have occurred, given when they first tested positive, are from the Delta variant and not Omicron. Since January 1, there have been 49 new deaths, for a total of 521 to date.

Seropositivity, the percentage of PCR tests that are positive, has continued to drop and yesterday was at 10.4%.

While it appears that Vermont may have peaked for omicron, there is unfortunately a new variant (omicron BA.2) making its way around the world. It’s now the dominant variant in places like Denmark and has already been detected in California, Texas and Washington.  A second version of omicron is spreading. Here's why scientists are on alert.

FREE VACCINE/BOOSTER CLINIC: There will be a free clinic at the Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department tomorrow, Saturday, January 29th, from 10:30-1:30. They will be offering all three vaccines/boosters and can provide Pfizer for those 12+. A second clinic will be held on February 7 from 4-6 pm. No appointment needed.

Sam’s Steakhouse (91 Route 103 in Ludlow) will be providing a clinic on January 31 (Monday) from 3-5. All three vaccines/booster will be available, including Pfizer for those 12+

For other vaccine/booster pop up clinics, click here.

FREE MASKS: While Rite Aid in Ludlow is supposed to be a site for the Government’s free N95 mask distribution program, recent inquiries found that they were unsure of what’s happening. According to a statement made to the Today Show by Rite Aid, all stores should have them by early February. "Customers will be able to pick up the masks, with a limit of three masks per person, at an in-store display or the pharmacy counter while supplies last.” Walmart also made a statement that masks will be available at select Walmart and Sam’s Club stores late next week at the earliest.

At tomorrow’s Cavendish Fire Department vaccine clinic, N95s for adults and children will be available while supplies last.

TESTS: Many Vermonters have received both the state free tests as well as those from the Government. You can still order free tests from the Government by clicking here. Note that are providing 4 free tests, which is two free test kits (each kit contains 2 tests).

NH Liquor stores are preparing to sell test kits at cost-about $13- beginning in February. The one million tests will be distributed to the state’s 80 liquor stores in a few weeks.

5. EVENTS

JANUARY 29 (SATURDAY): Vaccination/booster clinic at the Cavendish Volunteer Fire Dept. 10:30-1:30.

JANUARY 31 (MONDAY): Vaccination/booster clinic at Sam’s Steakhouse

FEBRUARY 1 (TUESDAY): Happy Chinese New Year. It’s the year of the Tiger

FEBRUARY 7 (MONDAY): Vaccination/booster clinic at the Cavendish Volunteer Fire Dept. 4-6 PM

FEBRARY 13 (SUNDAY): Dinner and a Movie at the Cavendish Library. Queen Bee, 1 pm 802-226-7503

FEBRUARY 14 (MONDAY): Happy Valentine’s Day

-       Select Board Meeting

FEBRUARY 15 (TUESDAY): 3RD Quarter Property Taxes Due

FEBRUARY 16 (WEDNESDAY): Cavendish Library Book Club meets at 7 pm. This month’s book is DogTripping. FMI: 802-226-7503

FEBRUARY 21 (MONDAY): President’s Day. Town Office Closed

FEBRUARY 21 (MONDAY)-25 (FRIDAY): School winter break.

FEBRUARY 27 (SUNDAY): A visit with David Rosenfelt, 1 pm Cavendish Library. FMI: 802-226-7503

MARCH 1 (TUESDAY) Mardi Gras

CA❤︎ENDSH VAXXING, BOOSTING & MASKING TO PROTECT SELF & OTHERS

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 1/21/22: Free masks tests vaccines/News/Events

VIEW THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE LATEST NEWS

1/21/22

1.    Cavendish Info

2.    Covid update

3.    Events

1. CAVENDISH INFO

• Leonard Carlisle 1929-2022: A Korean War veteran, Leonard was a Cavendish fixture. Our condolences to his family and his many friends. His obituary is available online.

• Possible resolution of Tierney Road dispute ahead in 2022: Tierney Road resident Mike Harrington, who has also served as a spokesperson for the Tierney Road residents, told the Select board at the Jan. 11 meeting that at the end of 2021, his group heard from the Snowstone lawyer who asked if there was any interest in a collaborative resolution in 2022, and Harrington said that as far as he, and other Tierney Road residents were concerned, “Absolutely.” According to Harrington, all the Tierney Road landowners who have stood in opposition against Snowstone, have put Harrington in charge of ‘course of direction’ so if there were to be a settlement, he would be the only one in the room with the attorney, the other stakeholders, and their attorneys negotiating the outcome. “I really feel like trying to reach a settlement is the right thing to do for all the parties involved including the town,” Harrington said. He said they would be looking for a settlement agreement where everybody gets a piece of the pie and can start to mend fences.  VT Journal

• Ludlow Rotary hears update on real estate market: Lisa Kelley, President of the Crown Point Board of Realtors, stated that home prices were at a peak in June. This is a sellers’ market, which makes it hard to buy in the area, and there is little inventory of homes for sale. On average, houses are only on the market for six days, Kelley said, which makes it difficult for local residents to break into this market when looking for a house. Kelley also predicted that mortgage rates would only increase over the next couple of years. VT Journal

• Winter Update from Fletcher Memorial Library: Each Monday until Feb. 14, the Ludlow library is offering free Winter Olympic themed Grab-and-Go activity kits. These kits are best suited for ages four and up and are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. FMI: 802-228-3517 or FMLkidsVT@gmail.com

• Fletcher Farm School for the Arts and Crafts announces winter and spring classes: A gift certificate for a class at Fletcher Farm School is a wonderful Valentine’s present.

• Local healthcare workers vote in favor of joining UNAP healthcare union: Springfield Hospital healthcare workers voted in favor of joining the United Nurses and Allied Professionals, a regional health care union. VT Journal

• Green Mountain Power wants rate increase: The state’s largest utility has requested a rate increase of 2.34%, which it says is below inflation. GMP says rising energy costs are behind most of the requested increase. If approved by the Public Utility Commission, the rate hike would take effect in October. FMI GMP Rate & Regulation Plan Filings If you think you are paying too much for your electricity, check out Efficiency Vermont’s chart that lets you figure out how much electricity you are using at home and associated costs.

2. COVID UPDATE: For local information on testing, vaccinations, boosters, notifying contacts as well as other resources, including for Long Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.

WEEKLY DATA:

Cavendish & Surrounding Towns  For the week ending Jan. 12, Cavendish and surrounding towns all set records for new cases of Covid. Cavendish 27 new cases (141 total); Ludlow 50 (269); Chester 89 (517); Springfield 161 (1,535) and 19 Weathersfield (209).

Schools: The VT Dept. of Health posted the following this week. Due to changes in testing and contact tracing in schools, the COVID-19 Cases in Schools While Infectious report will no longer be updated after Jan. 10, 2022. The new guidelines started this week. For more information see the Test at Home: Vermont School Covid-19 Testing Protocol Winter 2022.

Area Nursing Homes: Rutland Health & Rehab is showing 34 cases as of the Jan. 18 report. The Pines at Rutland Center for Nursing & Rehab is reporting 16. The number of Covid-19 cases associated with long-term care outbreaks jumped from 58 a week ago to 268.

State: There was no press conference this week. Tuesday’s modeling states that “New confirmed Covid-19 infections have decreased from last week’s high, down 2,115 cases. with every Vermont county reporting lower rates than the previous week. Vermont continues to see more breakthrough cases (9), but risk of hospitalization and death remains low for those fully vaccinated and boosted. Hospitalizations have increased 18% over the last week and ICU numbers have climbed 34%. A majority of those in both the hospital and ICU are not fully vaccinated. Availability of hospital beds has decreased this week with Vermont hospitals today reporting 27 open medical-surgical beds & 14 ICU beds. Vermont COVID-19 cases are expected to slow and possibly decline in the coming weeks as the Omicron surge possibly subsides. Hospitalizations and deaths are expected to lag behind improving case trends.

Records were set this week for number of hospitalizations (122 on Wednesday), deaths (now at 507), as well as for the spike in cases in long term care facilities. As of Wednesday, the last day the state’s dashboard was fully updated, there have been 93,492 cases in Vermont.

FREE VACCCINES/BOOSTERS, MASKS AND TESTS  

Vaccines/Boosters: The Cavendish Fire Department will once again be sponsoring vaccination/booster clinics on January 29 (Saturday) 10:30 am to 1:30pm and a second one on February 7 (Monday) 4pm to 6 pm. Vaccination and booster shots are free.

Masks: The Biden administration will begin making 400 million free N95 masks available starting late next week, limit three masks per person. The masks will be available for pickup at pharmacies and community health centers that partnered with the federal government’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Both the Ludlow Health Center and Rite Aid Pharmacy should qualify.

Because of the need for N95s and their equivalent for children and women, Cavendish Connects is organizing the purchase of such masks, with the first distribution during the CVFD vaccine clinics. If you are interested in helping with this initiative, please e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com or call 802-226-7807.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance on masks for the general public, saying people "may choose" to wear N95 and KN95 masks because they offer the best protection against Covid.

Test Kits: The Government’s website for free test kits (4 per family) launched a day ahead of schedule on Tuesday. Register for your free tests online.

OTHER NEWS

• Fourth Vaccine Shot Less Effective Against Omicron, Israeli Study Says USA Today.

• Vt. Consumer Assistance Program gets reports of price gouging on COVID tests

3. EVENTS

JANUARY 29 (SATURDAY): Vaccination/booster clinic at the Cavendish Volunteer Fire Dept. 10:30-1:30.

FEBRUARY 1 (TUESDAY): Happy Chinese New Year. It’s the year of the Tiger

FEBRUARY 7 (MONDAY): Vaccination/booster clinic at the Cavendish Volunteer Fire Dept. 4-6 PM

FEBRUARY 14 (MONDAY): Happy Valentine’s Day

FEBRUARY 15 (TUESDAY): 3RD Quarter Property Taxes Due

FEBRUARY 21 (MONDAY): President’s Day. Town Office Closed

MARCH 1 (TUESDAY) Mardi Gras

CA❤︎ENDSH VAXXING, BOOSTING & MASKING TO PROTECT SELF & OTHERS

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 1/14/22: SB Mtg/News

VIEW THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS

1/14/22

1.    Cavendish Select Board Meeting 1/10/22

2.    Cavendish Info

3.    Covid update

4.    Events

Wind Chill Warning: From 7 pm Tonight to 4 pm Saturday. Wind chill temps as low as 35 to 45 below zero.

1.CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 1/10/22: A video of Monday night’s Select Board (SB) meeting is available at the Okemo Valley TV website. Unapproved minutes will be posted to the Cavendish Municipal website.

Discussed/Acted On

• Request from Black River Valley Senior Center: As part of the budgetary process, Black River Valley Senior is requesting $5,000 to cover the costs for 10 people in Cavendish who receive Meals on Wheels.

• Recent ACT 250 ruling: Recently the VT Supreme Court ruled that projects less than an acre in towns without local zoning regulations don’t need Act 250 permits. While this ruling pertains to the proposed stone quarry at the end of Tierney Rd, the SB, town and Planning Commission are aware that the ruling has much broader implications for Cavendish, which does not have zoning. Cavendish’s state rep John Arrison was on hand and said the legislature needs to update Act 250, which is now 50 years old. While the initial goal was to control the development of the ski areas, today’s goal is to concentrate development within the villages and reduce sprawl. Note: On Wednesday the Supreme Court reheard arguments, with Act 250 administrators and environmental groups asking the justices to reconsider their decision regarding the Stone quarry.  A video of the hearing is available online and WCAX had a brief report. State Rep. Amy Sheldon introduced a bill last week that would erase the clause in the law under debate. Legislature, Supreme Court Consider Act 250’s power in towns with limited land use regulation.

• Town Meeting Due to the recent increase in Covid cases, legislation has been passed that Town Meeting can be held virtually, in person,  hybrid or on a different date. Last year Cavendish’s Town Meeting was an informational meeting via Zoom with voting taking place by Australian Ballot 10 days later. Few participated in the meeting, but a number of voters went to the polls.  This year Town Meeting will be March 1. While there was no decision about town meeting, it was noted that SB meetings can be completely virtual or a hybrid. Town Manager, Brendan McNamara noted that he is working with Okemo Valley TV to equip the town’s conference room so it can be used for hybrid meetings.

•  ‘Right of Way Agreement’ with Green Mountain Railroad (GMR). As GMR will be replacing the crossing at 131 and 103 the summer of 2023, they want to purchase right of ways in order to bring a crane down Greven Rd Extension. McNamara needs more specifics from VTrans before the SB approves the agreement.

• ‘Certificate of Highway Miles’ Approved as written
• Animal Control Issue- dogs on Rogers Ave. While not vicious dogs, they run all over the town, into traffic and create a nuisance. In the last year and a half the dogs been taken to the pound at least six times. McNamara has tried to work with the family to resolve the issue. Fines levied against the owner are now up to $7,000, which McNamara was willing to wave if the family took the dogs back to NY, as the son was out of town. Michael Mills is now back on Rogers Drive and the dogs haven’t gotten out since he returned. However, given past history, it’s likely they will return to running the streets. This has been an ongoing issue for the last eight years. It was agreed that McNamara should talk to the town’s attorney.
• Fire Warden:  Voted to accept Roger Sheehan’s resignation as Fire Warden with regret and thanks. Approved Chris Marks as the new Fire Warden.
• Town Budget: McNamara distributed the first working draft of the FY ’22-’23 Budget.

• Highway Dept: Town crew is back to full staff. The current Trackless, used for cleaning sidewalks, is in need of replacement, the cost of which could range from $52,000 to over $100,000. An alarm and security system is now in place at the Town Garage

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Tree of Remembrance: The Tree of Remembrance shines brightly in Veteran’s Park, welcoming us all to a New Year filled with good health, happiness, and maybe the end of Covid. Let us all remember our loved ones by making a contribution to the Okemo Valley Women’s Club fundraiser. By making a donation to the Tree of Remembrance and naming a loved one, you will contribute to a scholarship given to a deserving senior from Ludlow, Mount Holly, Cavendish, or Proctorvillle.

• Chester Tables Cannabis From Town Meeting Vote

• Ludlow Votes No Again on Cannabis: This week, Ludlow once again voted against having a cannabis store-249 "no", versus 204 "yes."

• Ludlow Rotary Hears Plans for Divided Sky: Melani Gulde, program director for Divided Sky Foundation, spoke about plans for the future drug and alcohol recovery program on Fox Lane in Ludlow.

• Lucky Mackenzie Spay/Neuter Clinic: Their next clinic is Feb. 7. For more information, please see their website.

3. COVID UPDATE: For local information on testing, vaccinations, boosters, notifying contacts as well as other resources, including for Long Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.

WEEKLY DATA:

Cavendish & Surrounding Towns: For the week ending Jan.5, Cavendish had 19 new cases (114 total); Ludlow 33 (219); Chester 40 (428); Springfield 57 (1,374) and Weathersfield 1 (190).

Schools: The state’s Jan. 10 report shows that CTES had one new case (4 total) as did Chester Elementary (16 total). GMUHS had 5 (26 total) while Ludlow Elementary had none. There were 322 new cases in VT schools in the last 7 days with a cumulative total of 3,610.

Area Nursing Homes: Springfield Rivers Nursing & Rehab is reported to have 10 cumulative cases, an increase in one case from the prior week.

State: As a result of a lab reporting issue, from Jan 7-10,, roughly 40,000 lab results, of which 4,375 were positive, had to be redistributed. The states “dashboard” was not updated until Wednesday, where the data saw a new case record with almost 3,000 new cases on Friday Jan. 7. Hospitalizations hit a new record with over 100 on Monday. As of yesterday, which reported 1,963 new cases, VT has 91 people in the hospital, with 28 in the ICU. This month has seen seven new deaths, bringing the state total to 490. Note. Modeling slides presented on Tuesday have not been made available on the Dept. of Financial Regulation’s website.

With more than 10,000 new COVID cases in just the last week, and forecasts of up to 6,000 new cases a day, the state is preparing for the impact of possible mass quarantines. The next few weeks in Vermont are easily the most challenging of the pandemic so far,” reports Jeff Tieman, president of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. Staffing shortage could have numerous consequences. “Postponing or canceling elective procedures, reassigning nurse leaders to work at the bedside, moving people to different units in the hospital, hiring travelers which is difficult and expensive.”

OMICRON REQUIRES A SHIFT IN TESTING & CONTACT TRACING: What worked for Delta doesn’t work for Omicron. Spreading like wildfire, Health Commissioner Mark Levine noted on Tuesday, “Many are talking now about not if but when,” they will be infected with this variant.

Due to omicron’s high rate of transmission and shorter incubation period, the state is opting out of contact tracing, as have many other states. By the time someone tests positive on a PCR, which takes 1-3 days for results, close contacts would already be infected. Instead, the state is asking individuals who test positive to inform their close contacts ASAP. The state will do limited contact tracing, such as for outbreaks.

In addition, more emphasis is being placed on the use of rapid antigen tests at home, along with the use of the LAMP test in place of the PCR. Where time is of the essence, the rapid test provides results in about 15 minutes, while the LAMP, which is considered equivalent to the PCR and can be used for travel purposes, provides results in under an hour. However, not all test sites offer LAMP. As was noted by the state in December, by March the majority of testing in VT will be done at home or with a LAMP, which if available, can be administered at home. 

As Covid goes from pandemic to endemic- it becomes  part of daily life much like the flu-a different approach is being outlined for VT. Instead of relying on the state to handle much of the response, the individual will have more of the responsibility via home testing and notifying contacts. 

The Vermont Agency of Education noted a week ago In 2022, the way testing for COVID-19 looks in Vermont schools will be different. These changes are necessary due to the speed at which the Omicron variant transmits. Many of the tools that we have used successfully in the past are no longer a good use of resources because they cannot keep pace with how quickly Omicron spreads.

Parents will be notified when a student tests positive in their child’s classroom. Children who are close contacts but  unvaccinated can remain in school as long as their parents/guardian test them daily with a rapid antigen test. Test kits will be provided by the school. Note that school nurses will be able to test anyone in the school community with a rapid antigen or LAMP test.

PCR surveillance at schools is being dropped. As noted by Dr. Levine, “We believe PCR surveillance testing has lost much of its value.”

On Wednesday, the state launched its Say Yes Covid Test, which will send two rapid antigen kits (two tests in each kit) to Vermont families for free. Within five hours, supplies were gone (350,000 kits). Note if you ordered the kits, they will arrive in 1-2 weeks. Kits should not be left outside in mail boxes overnight. If you are going to be gone during this time, please have someone check your mail box.

On Wednesday, the state began distribution of rapid tests to child care programs, who can learn more about Test for Tots by clicking here.

To move forward the message is vaccinate/boost; use a good quality mask, such as N95s, stay home when sick and test frequently.

AT HOME TESTING COVERED BY INSURANCE: Starting Jan. 15, Americans who are covered by a health insurance plan can receive reimbursement when they buy over the counter COVID-19 diagnostic tests that are authorized or approved by the FDA. This means that most people with private health coverage can go online or to a store, buy a test, and either get it covered up-front or through reimbursement by submitting a claim to their plan, the White House said. Insurance companies and group health plans will cover eight free at-home tests per person per month, the White House said. A family of four on the same health plan, for instance, could be covered for 32 tests per month. "We are requiring insurers and group health plans to make tests free for millions of Americans. This is all part of our overall strategy to ramp-up access to easy-to-use, at-home tests at no cost," Xavier Becerra, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement. NOTE: Those on Medicare and Medicaid are not covered under this program. However, the President announced yesterday that free tests and masks can be ordered online next week. The website has yet to be launched.

OTHER NEWS

• CDC designates Canada a ‘highest risk’ travel area: The CDC advises people to avoid traveling to countries rated level 4. Canada now joins more than 80 other destinations in being a Level 4.

• Omicron Waves Appears to Slow in NYC and Major Metropolitan Areas

• Bidden Announces Plans to Buy 500,000 million more Covid tests and to offer free masks Details on both to be announced next week. 

4. EVENTS

JANUARY 15 (SATURDAY): Monthly Utility bills due

JANUARY 17 (MONDAY): Martin Luther King’s Day Town Officer Closed

CA❤︎ENDSH VAXXING, BOOSTING & MASKING TO PROTECT SELF & OTHERS

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 1/7/22: News/Free Test Kits/Events

VIEW THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS

1/7/22

1.    Cavendish Info

2.    Covid update

3.    Events

Rescheduled St. James Christmas Concert, tonight, 6:30 pm at the church in Proctorsville. Free and open to the public.

1. CAVENDISH INFO

• Cavendish Community Fund: The Community Fund was created in 2007 to enhance the quality of life in Cavendish and has distributed grants each year since then for a variety of programs, projects, and events. Grants are awarded to individuals and organizations that create or sponsor educational, cultural, or artistic ventures in Cavendish, or for projects that otherwise enrich the value of small-town living. On December 29th the Cavendish Community Fund held their second annual fundraising raffle at Crow’s Corner Bakery.

This year’s  prizes included a Northern Flicker, hand-carved in chestnut by Wendy Lichtensteiger of Proctorsville, which was won by Scott and Terry Ranney of Cavendish. A stained-glass window created by Field Hill Studios in Cavendish was won by Lisa DePaolo of Stamford, Connecticut. An oil on board painting by Cavendish artist Patricia Darling Dean was won by Robin Manthei of Maple Grove, Minnesota. A hand-knitted Alpaca hat and cowl by Nancy Kelley of Cavendish was won by Lauren Flaherty and William Hallowel of Newport, Rhode Island. And a hand-crafted box with handmade pasted paper covering made by Pang Ting of Cavendish was won by Tammy Armstrong of Cavendish.

In 2021, the fund was able to assist several projects – holding summer concerts on the Svec Memorial Green, decorating the new Depot Street bridge, publicizing the hiking trails in Cavendish, helping Windsor County Mentors, continuing the Historical Society’s programs, and extending literacy events at the Community Library. For more information about the Fund or about grants and grant applications, please email Doug McBride at cavendishcommunityfund@gmail.com.

• GMUSD trims facilities renovations and pushes voter approval to summer: During their Dec. 21 special meeting, the Green Mountain Unified School District board pared approximately $5 million worth of projects from Energy Efficient Investments’ proposed $21 million budget for their district school renovation proposal and agreed to postpone bringing the final project, which will likely require financing through a bond, to voters until the summer, rather than during the town meeting in March. VT Journal

• Rasmussen takes over leadership of Ascutney Regional Commission

• Local civilian fingerprinting: Ludlow Police Department (802-885-4411), Windsor Police Department (802-674-9042), and the Windham County Sheriff's Office (802-365-4942) are available by appointment. Until further notice, Springfield Police Department is unavailable for this service.

• New Year, New Minimum Wage in VT: The scheduled change is an $0.80 increase for hourly employees, from $11.75 an hour, to $12.55. For tipped workers it goes from $5.88 to $6.28.

• 3G Devices being phased out: While most 3G devices have already been phased out, there are still people relying on old phones or devices to get help or as a safety net. According to the FCC, AT&T is expected to retire the network in February, T-Mobile and Sprint will retire it between March and July, and Verizon at the end of the year. WCAX

2. COVID UPDATE: For local information on testing, vaccinations, boosters, notifying contacts as well as other resources, including for Long Covid, please see the Cavendish COVID-19 Resource Guide.

WEEKLY DATA: Cavendish & Surrounding Towns: For the week ending Dec. 22, Cavendish had 6 new cases; Ludlow 7; Chester 12; Springfield 78 and Weathersfield 13. For the week ending Dec. 29, Cavendish had 2 new cases (95 total); Ludlow 14 (186); Chester 16 (388); Springfield 51 (1,317) and Weathersfield 5 (189).

 Schools: No report as schools were closed last week

 Area Nursing Homes: Springfield Rivers Nursing & Rehab is reported to have 9 cumulative cases, an increase in 3 cases from the prior week.

State: With no press conference this week, Tuesday’s modeling was published with the following summary CDC now estimates Omicron is the dominate variant in New England, which is helping fuel an 82% increase in cases over the last 7 days. Vermont is seeing the impacts of Omicron and a post-holiday surge  with cases increasing 128% over the last 7 days, with rates rising in every Vermont county; 11 counties broke case rate records.

Vermont experienced a rise in breakthrough infections this week consistent with Omicron’s vaccine-evasion qualities); however, the not fully vaccinated remain at significantly increased risk of the most severe outcomes at 22x more likely to be hospitalized and 23x more likely to die.

In a week that broke one record after another, yesterday saw the highest case count with 2,188 new cases and a seropositivity (percent of positive tests) of 12.4%. Hospitalizations are rapidly rising, with 91 in hospital (one away from the record high of 92 on Dec. 2) and 17 in the ICU. is Deaths continue to occur with two new deaths in January (482 total).

Vt’s daily average of new cases is now 1,000 compared to 400 cases on Christmas and 750 on New Year’s Eve. Omicron, which is estimated to be 95% of Covid cases in the United States, is associated with more hospitalizations (due to large number of people being infected) but fewer in need of ICU care.

500,000 RAPID TESTS TO BE DELIVERED TO VERMONTERS: Gov. Scott announced yesterday that beginning next week Vermont will use a program developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to deliver 500,000 recently acquired rapid COVID-19 tests directly to households across the state. While our primary objective is to get tests into the field as efficiently as possible, we are also assessing how well the system works so we can continue to improve testing options and work with President Biden’s team to make future testing programs successful. As with every new program, there are going to be unanticipated challenges, the number of kits each household can order will be limited, it could take up to a week for them to be delivered, and we expect that they will go very, very quickly.

The Say Yes! COVID Test initiative is a partnership with the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, test manufacturer Quidel, and healthcare technology company CareEvolution. 

Participating Vermonters will need to provide their name and address for test kit delivery, which will not be shared. No additional personal information will be required to get a free rapid test kit. 

We will be able to announce additional details, including how to order, next week.  Press Release

FACEMASKS 101: Covid is transmitted through mucous membranes in the mouth, nose and eyes, which is why proper fitting masks can reduce transmission. The omicron variant is highly transmissible and if the virus is on your mask, it’s easy to get it on your hands when you remove it. Research shows we touch our face about 23 times per hour, of which 44% come in contact with mucous membranes. We do it without thinking. Rub our eyes, scratch an itchy nose, adjust glasses and the list goes on.

Follow the steps below to achieve maximum effectiveness:

• Wash your hands before and after touching the mask

• Touch only the bands or ties when putting on and taking off your mask

• Make sure the mask covers you mouth and nose. If you make adjustments, wash your hands before and after.

• Recommended masks:

-       The best protection is a properly fitting N95s, KN95s, KF94s.

-       Surgical masks can be worn and give the best protection if fitted properly and using a mask brace.

-       Note that face brackets (worn under the mask) have been found to lessen the effectiveness of the mask.

-       Double masking-a surgical mask covered by a cloth mask-works.

-       Wearing bandanas, gaiters, masks exhalation valves, or clear shield like face masks are not recommended.

• Don’t touch your or your child’s mask while it is being worn.

• Don’t wear the mask under your chin with your nose and mouth exposed

• Don’t remove the mask while around others in public

• Don’t share your mask with others

Learn more about face masks and Covid-19

The VT legislature is now in session and the House has introduced a statewide mask mandate bill. Free masks are available 24/7 at the CHS Cares Closet by the steps of the CHS Museum.

LONG COVID: Estimates are that approximately 7,000 or more Vermonters, who have had Covid, are experiencing “long Covid,” defined as having at least one persistent symptom up to six months after the initial infection has cleared. Symptoms include neurologic, cognitive, cardiopulmonary, constitutional, musculoskeletal, psychiatric and mobility impairments.

A new study this week has found that Covid infection is associated with executive dysfunction among young and middle aged adults, regardless of symptom severity. Unfortunately, Covid is not a “one and done” type of illness.

 There are resources to help Vermonters dealing with long Covid. Both Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and the University of Vermont offer programs. Other resources include:

• COVID-19 Recovery Support Booklet (PDF)

• COVD Support VT

OTHER NEWS

• The FDA has authorized a Pfizer booster for children ages 12 to 15 : VT has begun vaccinating this age group.

• 4 more Covid-19 outbreaks in Killington area following holiday week resort outbreak

3. EVENTS

JANUARY 7 (FRIDAY): St. James Christmas Concert has been rescheduled for Friday, Jan. 7 at 6:30 at the church in Proctorsville. New Year, New Concert. Free and open to the public. Donations welcome!

JANUARY 10 (MONDAY): Monthly Select Board Meeting 6:30 pm at the Town office

JANUARY 15 (SATURDAY): Monthly Utility bills due

JANUARY 17 (MONDAY): Martin Luther King’s Day Town Officer Closed

CA❤︎ENDSH VAXXING, BOOSTING & MASKING TO PROTECT SELF & OTHERS

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