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Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Libraries invites Vermonters to celebrate our diverse winter celebrations with virtual poetry readings by Vermont state leaders. Vermonters can click here to view the Holiday Poetry Celebration. Traditionally, Governor Phil Scott joins Vermonters in multiple in-person holiday events, including the menorah and tree lighting ceremonies, and by reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore to children at the State House. Due to pandemic gathering restrictions, these events could not happen this year, so Governor Scott has shared a virtual reading for all to enjoy..

Vermont Business Magazine In response to President Trump’s disapproval of the $908-billion COVID-19 relief package passed by Congress on Monday, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) issued the following statement: “In America today, millions of Americans are facing economic desperation and need help now. I have been calling on Congress for months to pass legislation to provide every working class American with $2,000 a month until the pandemic ends. Now that Senator Schumer, Speaker Pelosi and President Trump have all indicated strong support for a $2,000 direct payment the ball is in Senate Majority Leader McConnell's court. I say to Senator McConnell: Let the Senate vote immediately on a stand-alone bill to provide a $2,000 direct payment for the working class and $4,000 for couples."

Vermont Business Magazine While total COVID-19 cases appear to have plateaued and there were only 79 yesterday, according to the Vermont Department of Health, there were five more deaths for a statewide total of 117. The Moderna vaccine is already being used to vaccinate residents and staff of nursing homes and long-term care facilities in Vermont. In the meantime, the VDH is urging patience in waiting your turn and also diligence in adhering to COVID health guidance: wear a mask; keep social distance; wash hands; quarantine if you travel; and stay home if you're sick. COVID testing is free. New guidance will allow you to have Christmas with one other "trusted household."

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement thanking the Public Service Department for its efforts to advocate for the reinstatement of the moratorium on household utility disconnects, and the Vermont Public Utility Commission (PUC) for approving the Department’s filing. The PUC order, announced Tuesday, reinstates the moratorium on involuntary disconnection on Vermont’s regulated utilities of electricity, telephone landlines and natural gas. The moratorium is in place until the end of March 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Medical Center is entering its second week of COVID-19 vaccinations and is pleased to begin administering the vaccine to community-based providers. The hospital continues to vaccinate its own patient-facing staff as well as EMS personnel. The process for vaccine distribution was developed by the CDC and Vermont Department of Health and all Vermont hospitals are playing a part in assisting with its implementation.

Vermont Business Magazine As COVID-19 case growth in Vermont has stabilized, Governor Phil Scott on Tuesday announced a small, temporary modification to restrictions on multi-household gatherings during the holidays, a phased restart of youth sports and restoration of earlier guidance allowing outdoor activities. Between December 23 and January 2, households may gather with one other trusted household. State officials stress that, while gathering with one other household is allowed, anyone over the age of 65, those with pre-existing conditions and those who work with vulnerable populations should avoid gatherings.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (VAHHS), which represents all of Vermont’s 14 non-profit hospitals, announced this week new information in the State’s planned distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations. Hospitals have stepped up since the outset of the pandemic — sharing PPE, organizing community testing, helping to plan for a surge of patients and, most recently, leading efforts to vaccinate the first phase (1a) of Vermonters as outlined by the CDC and the State of Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan, along with the attorneys general of 27 states, has entered into a settlement with Sabre Corporation that resolves an investigation into the 2017 data breach of Sabre Hospitality Solutions’ hotel booking system. The breach exposed the data of approximately 1.3 million credit cards. The settlement requires a payment of $2.4 million, of which the State of Vermont will receive $397,000 and injunctive relief.

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General TJ Donovan announced today that his office has reached a $150,000 settlement with TPB International, LLC, which operates www.vaporfi.com, for violations of Vermont’s Delivery Sales Ban and Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act. Under the settlement, TPB International, LLC resolved claims that it sold through its website electronic cigarettes, e-liquids, and other tobacco paraphernalia to individual consumers. As of July 1, 2019, it is illegal to sell electronic cigarettes and related “vaping” products over the internet to individual Vermont consumers.

Vermont Business Magazine The Community Health Centers of Burlington (CHCB) is pleased to announce a mask distribution partnership with Mellisa Cain of Iceberg Consulting, LLC. Cain first connected with CHCB to donate masks through her ONE Mask Initiative over the summer and now, with funds from the COVID-19 Relief Fund through the Vermont Department of Health HOC Health Equity and Community Engagement Team, has partnered with them to purchase and distribute over 9,000 CDC-approved face masks. These masks are being distributed to community members with a specific focus on those with Limited English Proficiency. Cain co-found the website www.NewAmericansInVermont.com to provide COVID-19 information and community resources in over a dozen languages. She and CHCB share a mission of ‘meeting people where they are at’ to expand access to critical human services.

Vermont Business Magazine On Tuesday, Governor Phil Scott announced a small, temporary modification to restrictions on multi-household gatherings during the holidays. Between December 23rd and January 2nd, households may gather with one other trusted household. Also, the next PPP webinar will be today, Wednesday, December 23rd from 9:00am to 10:30am

Vermont Business Magazine The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which has received emergency use authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration, arrived at the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation (CLR), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), Tuesday. The vaccine was administered by Walgreens Pharmacy. This is the first of three clinics that will be held to ensure that the entire staff and resident population receives two shots, as is recommended to achieve immunity.