Current News

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:

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Governor Phil Scott issued his COVID-19 executive order exactly four weeks ago and today held a press briefing in which he suggested that more measures could be coming in order to protect Vermonters. He said he will likely amend the order later this week with regards to the wearing of face masks. The governor did not say to what extent face masks would be mandated. It might depend, he said, on the progress the state is making holding off the novel coronavirus disease. There are now 28 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Vermont, which includes one more from Sunday’s report. There are 748 cases from 10,365 total tests. This is an increase of 21 cases from the Sunday report. There are 33 currently hospitalized and another 33 in hospital under investigation.

Vermont Business Magazine Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, strongly urged the use of facial coverings for essential workers in stores and their customers. The state is taking additional measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in certain types of group living facilities. When a person tests positive at these facilities, everyone in the facility will be tested. This includes nursing homes, corrections facilities, residential home for those with disabilities, residential treatment centers, assisted living facilities and state psychiatric care facilities. There are now at statewide total of 748 cases and 28 deaths.

Vermont Business Magazine Scammers are trying to cash in on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). From selling phony health care products to soliciting donations for fake charities, scammers will try anything to get your money or sensitive personal information during times of crisis. With economic impact payments or “stimulus checks” coming, Attorney General T.J. Donovan and Treasurer Beth Pearce want to remind Vermonters to protect their finances and to be on the lookout for COVID-19-related scams.

“Many Vermonters will be receiving payments by direct deposit or mail, and you need to be on the lookout for possible scams,” said Attorney General Donovan. “The best way to protect yourself, and your money, is to remember that the IRS will not contact you about your payment, and if someone is claiming to be with the IRS—it’s a scam!”

Vermont Business Magazine Health care professionals can quickly become temporarily licensed to provide care during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Governor Phil Scott signed Act 91 on March 31, granting emergency authority to expedite temporary licensure for health care professionals. Bolstering the ranks of health care providers will expand access to medical services for patients and allow qualified retirees to serve Vermont at this difficult time.

by Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos The current public health crisis has been a serious test for us all, and it’s also testing our democracy and how we respond in a crisis. Just last week the Supreme Court voted 5-4, along ideological lines, to reject an extension of absentee ballot return deadlines for Wisconsin Primary voters, requiring hundreds of thousands to risk their health by standing in crowded lines at busy polling locations in order to exercise their Constitutional right to vote. This decision failed the test, but things will be different in Vermont.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Labor has announced it will continue its Virtual Town Hall events for the week of April 13, 2020. The Department announced the events in response to the impact of COVID-19.