Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Today, the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs, on behalf of Vermont’s 14 State’s Attorneys, provided its response to the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont (ACLU – Vermont,) request for criminal justice policy reforms during the COVID-19 pandemic. In his April 7, 2020 letter, James Lyall, Executive Director of ACLU Vermont, submitted recommendations to State’s Attorneys requesting them to exercise their powers and discretion to protect public health and to reduce the spread of the virus among our communities and those involved with the criminal justice system.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported only four new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). There was one more death, bringing the total in Vermont to 29. The total number of positive tests is 752. This is the smallest one-day increase since March 18 despite an increase in testing over the last two weeks. Dr Mark Levine said yesterday that the state was moving toward a "plateauing" in the state's infection rate.

Vermont Business Magazine As the COVID-19 pandemic in Vermont is unfolding the Vermont Historical Society is collecting images and stories of this unprecedented event. On April 14, the organization launched a website to collect photographs and stories from Vermonters who are experiencing this historic event. The COVID-19 Archive: Images and Stories from Vermont employs digital technology and crowdsourcing to provide future researchers with a resource to study the impact the coronavirus had on the lives of Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine On Thursday, April 9, 2020 the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Lois McClure-Bee Tabakin Building, located near the UVM Cancer Center, became temporary respite and lodging for health care workers who are on the front lines of the coronavirus fight. On March 27, 2020, ACS made the heartbreaking decision to suspend operations for the Hope Lodge program. Due to the growth of the pandemic, the organization could no longer ensure the health and safety of its immune-compromised cancer patient residents, nor of its volunteers and staff.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott on Monday was asked by a reporter to clarify the state’s policy on farmers markets. He said they are closed and there is no date certain when they would re-open. Like all non-essential businesses during the novel coronavirus pandemic, they are allowed to continue only as remote or “curbside” businesses. In this case, farmers can set up roadside stands or offer delivery to customers. But in order to avoid congregating, the farmers markets themselves are closed until the governor’s “Stay Home” emergency order expires, which currently is May 15.

by Gabriella Marchesi, Community News Service As state public health officials monitor the growing caseload of COVID-19 patients across Vermont, the University of Vermont’s Patrick Gym has been transformed into a 50-bed hospital site to expand efforts at the state’s largest hospital to address the virus outbreak. The University of Vermont Medical Center in conjunction with the Vermont National Guard assembled the surge site, which is now considered an extension of the main hospital, explained hospital spokeswoman Annie Mackin.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont Health Network is extending its directive to suspend elective surgeries and procedures across the Network to continue our efforts to protect patients and staff and reduce the spread of COVID-19. The Network is continuing to analyze the current state of the pandemic, but to stay in-line with continuations of social distancing measures and executive orders in New York and Vermont, we are extending the suspension of “non-urgent elective” encounters through at least May 15, 2020. Additionally, there is concern across the Network that some patients are not seeking emergency or essential medical care out of fear of contracting COVID-19. We have been making efforts to communicate to our patients and the public that they should not hesitate to seek care in the event of an urgent medical situation. All proper precautions are being taken to keep both patients and staff safe.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Legal Aid announces weekly “30-Minute Town Halls” on critical legal issues related to the COVID-19 crisis. Vermont Legal Aid staff will discuss the key legal issues affecting Vermont residents and answer questions from the public. These town halls will focus on the questions and legal needs of Vermont’s most vulnerable residents, including low-income, older, and disabled Vermonters.

The first virtual event is Thursday, April 16, at 10 a.m. and will focus on the CARES Act stimulus payments. Attendees will hear from Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Attorney Zach Lees, in conversation with Amelia Schlossberg, Communications Coordinator for the Office of the Health Care Advocate. The session will cover who can get a check, how and when to expect the payment, and any potential impact on public benefits, health care coverage, and subsidized housing.

Vermont Business Magazine With declining travel threatening to wipe out 5.9 million jobs by the end of April and the tourism industry greatly impacted by social distancing, WalletHub today released its report on the States Hit Hardest by COVID-19’s Impact on Tourism. Vermont ranked fourth overall. Among the data points, Vermont has the fifth highest percent of workers associated with the tourism industry in the nation. The top three most impacted states are Hawaii, Montana and Nevada.

Vermont US Senator Bernie Sanders As we all do our part to stay home to stop the spread of this disease, many businesses are struggling. They are forced to significantly change their operations or shut their doors completely during this crisis. The federal stimulus law provides relief to small businesses and nonprofits so that they may reopen their doors to the public when it is safe to do so. In Vermont, 96% of businesses are classified as small businesses, employing over 155,000 Vermonters in good-paying jobs. I know many in Vermont will agree that our small businesses support and sustain our communities — it is critically important that the federal government step up to support them.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC), has deployed an online tool to facilitate community members sending meals to front-line staff during the COVID-19 crisis. Community members can visit https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/v1w8yz and volunteer to purchase a meal for as few as two staff members or as many as 25.

Vermont Business Magazine National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day devoted to educating the public about the importance of advance care planning, is Thursday, April 16. We at the Vermont Ethics Network, in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders from across the state, always stress that there is no better time than the present to begin your advance care planning journey. These days, however, documenting your wishes has taken on even greater importance.

These are stressful and uncertain times. While we can’t control what will happen if we become sick with COVID-19, we can control who will make decisions for us and ensure that our health care providers know what matters most if we do become ill. There can be peace of mind in knowing you have a plan. Cindy Bruzzese, Clinical Ethicist and Executive Director of the Vermont Ethics Network, shares some tips for navigating advance care planning in the age of COVID-19: