UVM Health Network has released a video featuring Dr. Tim Lahey urging people to stay home while the COVID-19 pandemic continues. You can watch it by clicking the picture below.
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By Ken Little, South Hero Fire District #4 Below is a web link from the State of Vermont regarding the safety of water and wastewater systems in this current pandemic. Please know that South Hero Fire District # 4 continues to use multiple filtration procedures as well as disinfecting the water you drink with sodium hypochlorite 15% (chlorine bleach). These procedures were defined by the State of Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) and the resultant water quality is routinely monitored by both our operations and the State ANR. The State of Vermont indicates COVID-19 has not been detected in drinking water (see the link) and that filtration and disinfectant procedures should remove or inactivate the virus. Finally, we have back up operations staff as well as emergency contacts to assist us in running the plant if the necessity arises. If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me at my home phone number; 802-372-8700. We may also be reached via email at shfdn4@gmail.com or leaving a message on the Water Plant landline; 802-372-3088. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html By MIKE DONOGHUE Islander Staff Writer SOUTH HERO – The Champlain Islands Health Center plans to make a major adjustment in the way it delivers wellbeing services in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that has reached Vermont and into nearby Clinton County N.Y. The facility off U.S. 2 in South Hero village will lock its doors this week, but will continue to offer informational services by phone to patients in the Grand Isle County region, Health Center officials said today. A nurse and an administrator will remain on duty in South Hero, but people are being urged to call the office ahead and not just come in unannounced, according to Kate Reed, the interim chief executive officer health center. The Health Center staff is trying to determine the best way to proceed in the new environment. “We are in the planning of consolidating our team,” Reed said. The health center staff will be working with their colleagues from other offices in Northwestern Vermont, she said. Reed said the top priority is to protect the patients and the entire community. She said the most vulnerable need to stay home. Meanwhile the health center is putting all the technology and phone support in place. Reed said the exact timing of the modified access is still being resolved, but she expects it will be Friday at the latest. “They can call. There will be an administrator. The nurse will help triage,” Reed noted. The people that will be on duty in South Hero are part of the normal 8-member team and will know the patients. She said 80 percent of the people that have possible medical issues can be treated at home with fluids. The best number at the Health Center to call is (802) 372-4687.
By MIKE DONOGHUE
Islander Staff Writer The Most Rev. Christopher Coyne, the Bishop of the statewide Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, announced this afternoon that he was suspended all Catholic Masses, sacraments and other devotions effective on Friday. The decision comes as the world heads toward Holy Week and the Easter Celebration on Sunday April 12 and the unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic that is sweeping the world and into Vermont. While Masses in Vermont may are suspended, Bishop Coyne said he is leaving it up to local parishes to determine if Churches would be available during the day. He said he hoped the 10-person maximum gathering would be respected. His announcement (printed below), outlines certain offices and services in parishes and the diocese that are open or closed. Among them are all Catholic schools are closed until Wednesday April 15 with remote and online learning available. The Bishop also announced that baptisms, funerals and weddings may take place but said attendance will be strictly limited to immediate family members. Bishop Coyne said the Burlington Diocese is working on providing a livestream of a daily Mass. The Bishop said his motto, "Trust in the Lord", has carried him through many difficult times. “Lean on the Lord and know that he will guide you through to better days,” Coyne wrote. Bishop Coyne’s full announcement follows: “Effective Friday, March 20, all regularly scheduled public celebrations of the Catholic Mass, sacraments and devotions are suspended until further notice. Priests of the Diocese of Burlington will continue to celebrate Mass privately for the intentions of their community and the Church. Baptisms, funerals and weddings may take place but will be strictly limited in attendance to immediate family members. I have taken this course of action following the advice of local public officials and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to limit gatherings to 10 people. While this is a difficult time for the faithful, we must all do our part to ensure the health and well-being of the larger community by helping prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to monitor the situation and make changes as necessary. Plans are moving forward to “live-stream” a local celebration of the Mass daily beginning with this Sunday, March 22 at 10 AM. Please check the Diocesan website at https://www.vermontcatholic.org/covid-19/ for all TV Mass options, resources to keep Sunday Holy and the latest updates. LISTING OF CATHOLIC CLOSINGS AND OPENINGS Parish offices - open Diocesan offices - open with limited staffing Parish food pantries - open (take away only) Parish soup kitchens - open (take away only) Vermont Catholic Charities - open Parish Churches - open daily (please consult local church for scheduled hours) Catholic schools – closed until April 15 (remote and online learning) Parish religious education schools – closed (some remote and online learning) Perpetual Adoration Chapels - closed I ask that you pray daily the Pope’s prayer to the Virgin Mary for protection from this pandemic (see www.vermontcatholic.org/covid-19/). Please continue to support your parish and the Diocese by giving online or via mail to ensure we remain financially stable during these difficult times. My motto, "Trust in the Lord", has gotten me through many difficult times. Lean on the Lord and know that He will guide you through to better days.
The Town Clerk’s Office in South Hero is closed to the public from March 17 until April 6, 2020. You can contact the town clerk by email: townclerk@southherovt.org Phone: 802-372-5552 Mail: P.O. Box 175 There is also a a drop box by the door of the office located at 333 US Route 2. Selectboard meetings will consist of essential business only and we request that you do not come to the meetings in person. If you would like to participate in "public input" or need something on the agenda, please email your topic in advance. The office is closed for the time being. Set up phone conferences or ask questions by emailing zoning@southherovt.org
By Corinn Julow, Town Clerk/Treasurer
In response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, the North Hero Town Office will be closed to the public in an effort to mitigate the spread of this virus. We will close Wednesday, March 18 and will remain closed until further notice. Lisa Keyworth - Assistant Clerk, and I will be available to assist you by email, phone, mail, and online. We also have a drop box. The town office hours will remain the same: Mon., Tues., Thurs. from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Wed., Fri., Sat. from 8 a.m. to noon. The Selectboard has waived all late fees for dog licensing until May 1. Please contact the town office for specific details by phone 802‐372‐6926 or fax 802‐372‐3806, Email: townclerk@northherovt.com or assistanttownclerk@northherovt.com, mail PO Box 38, North Hero, VT 05474 or drop box located at the Town Office Alcove at 6441 US Route 2. By Michael Clark, Superintendent Grand Isle Supervisory Union Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Members: Last night I shared that Governor Scott announced that statewide school dismissal will occur no later than Wednesday, March 18, 2020. GISU Schools would remain open on Monday and Tuesday; however, student attendance at school on Monday and Tuesday is a family decision. For these two days, the Grand Isle Supervisory Union attendance procedures will be waived, and no student will be penalized for not attending. We will continue with this plan and will be open for students on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, until the regular dismissal time. Please be aware, until further instruction from the Governor, Vermont Department of Health, and Agency of Education, all schools will be closed to the public until April 6, 2020. Teachers and support staff will be at school on Wednesday, March 18, through Friday, March 20, and will be working on plans to provide work and support to students remotely until April 6th. Teachers are charged with providing students with work to maintain the skills they've acquired thus far this year in order to prevent regression. It is not the expectation that new learning occurs during this time. It is important that students feel some semblance of a routine at home. For parents and students, structuring a "school day" at home will be a challenge as it is a departure from their norm. In many cases, students who are at school on Tuesday will begin to receive this work. For students who are not at school, arrangements will be made to deliver the work to student's homes. Additionally, faculty, staff, and principals will be making plans to communicate regularly with students and families for the duration of the dismissal. We will be preparing bagged meals (breakfast and lunch) out of our production kitchens at the Alburgh, Grand Isle, and Folsom Schools, where our professional staff will prepare meals in a safe and sanitary environment. To exercise the recommended social distancing, we will provide meals to children 18 and under for free through delivery using a combination of our bus drivers and support staff to deliver the meals to homes. If you would like meals for your student delivered please contact the following: Alburgh - Wendy Savage 796-3573 ext 101 Grand Isle, Isle La Motte, or North Hero - Joanne Tier 372-8866 South Hero - Arianna Middlemiss 372-6600 It must be stated that GISU schools are student-centered, relationship-based, educational communities. No amount of technology or remotely delivered content can replace what happens at our schools daily. Resorting to online and/or remote delivery of educational services is a suboptimal scenario. We will not be able to remotely recreate the vibrant learning communities of our schools. Despite the challenges ahead, I am confident that all of our teachers, support staff and administrators will work tirelessly to place student well-being and learning at the center of everything we do. We find ourselves in a rapidly changing, uncharted situation. We appreciate your flexibility. If you have questions or concerns please reach out anytime. Gov. Scott: All Bars and Restaurants to Close by 2 p.m. Tuesday or offer Takeout / Delivery3/16/2020 GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT ANNOUNCES NEW GUIDANCE ON COVID-19 COMMUNITY MITIGATION MEASURES All Bars and Restaurants Must Close or Offer Takeout Only Gatherings are limited to less than 50 people or 50% of occupancy of a facility Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today announced new guidance in response to COVID-19, commonly known as the novel coronavirus. Today’s guidance updates the executive order he issued on March 13, which declared a state of emergency in Vermont. First, as announced at a press conference Monday morning, new guidance further restricts the size of mass gatherings to the lesser of 50 people or 50% of the occupancy of a facility. This restriction applies to all social, recreational or entertainment activities, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater, gymnasium, fitness center, library or any other confined indoor or confined outdoor space. The Governor is also ordering the closure of all bars and restaurants statewide. Establishments can continue to offer food takeout and delivery service. This measure is effective beginning 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 and is in effect until April 6, though this could be extended. These changes reflect the growing trend of confirmed coronavirus cases in Vermont, new recommendations from the CDC, social distancing and mitigation efforts recommended by the Vermont Department of Health, and ongoing discussions with neighboring states. Additional reductions or prohibitions may be implemented or amended as needed. Additionally, state government agencies and departments are working to transition the state employee workforce to remote work, while also implementing measures to limit person to person transactions in state offices, like the DMV. Those measures will be combined with 90-day extensions in license and registration renewals. Most individuals affected by COVID-19 will experience mild to moderate symptoms but some individuals – especially the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions – are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. Through his emergency powers, Governor Scott is implementing additional mitigation strategies to protect those at greatest risk, slow the spread of illness in our communities and minimize the risk to the public. “I want Vermonters to know we’re continuously evaluating other mitigation steps and we’ll continue to communicate those as they are put into place,” said Governor Scott. “It’s important to remember that in times of crisis we all need to make sacrifices. But Vermonters, and all Americans, have risen to many challenges before, and this time will be no different.” Details on the specific actions taken are outlined in the Governor’s Executive Order, which is available by clicking here. Addendum 1, reducing gathering size, is available by clicking here and Addendum 2, closing bars and restaurants, is available by clicking here. |
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