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by John R Brumsted, MD, President and CEO, The University of Vermont Health Network Sometimes, the simplest tools are among the most effective. That principle applies even amid the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. I want to underscore a key message you’ve been hearing — when you stay home, you’ll slow the spread of this virus and protect your loved ones — especially the most vulnerable. And you’ll be helping to ensure that our health care providers, including the affiliates of the UVM Health Network, are prepared to serve our communities.

Vermont Business Magazine All banks and credit unions are required to adhere to the same business schedule as the Federal Reserve. This means that we must be open on the same days as the Federal Reserve and will not close our credit union business as we work through the management of COVID-19. You will always have access to your accounts and your cash.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Scott has issued a directive starting March 26 through April 15 to limit routine banking operations to just transactions conducted through ATMs, drive thru services, online banking, and telephone services. With that directi

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health, in collaboration with the medical division of the National Guard Civil Support Team, is setting up an additional COVID-19 patient test site at Landmark College in Putney, Vermont. This site is being established to provide additional testing capacity for people who have a referral from their health care provider.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported that as of 1 pm Saturday there are 211 cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Vermont with 12 deaths. This is an increase of 28 cases from Friday's report and two more deaths. The number of cases in Chittenden County has exceeded 100.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) has announced sector-specific guidance related to Governor Phil Scott’s Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order. The guidance is intended to help Vermont businesses determine if some or all of their in-person business operations fall under the exemptions for those entities critical to public health and safety or economic and national security.

US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) The federal stimulus package goes a long way in providing relief to the working families of this country who are struggling during this unprecedented economic crisis. Let me be clear: this is not the bill I would have written. But, I'm proud to have worked with my colleagues to prioritize workers and small businesses over billionaires and massive corporations.

Leonine Public Affairs According to the Vermont Department of Health, the number of Vermonters infected by COVID-19 grew exponentially this week. As of Friday afternoon, 184 people have tested positive for the virus, and 10 people have died. As the number of those affected continues to grow, the administration and the legislature have been working around the clock to enact measures designed to slow the spread of the virus and help Vermonters cope with the impacts of the pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott Thursday ordered the dismissal of in-person instruction at all Vermont schools for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. This latest decision extends the order Scott issued on March 18 calling for the temporary dismissal of preK-12 schools through April 6. Remote learning now will begin April 13.

Vermont Business Magazine At a press conference Friday, Governor Phil Scott and members of his administration provided an update on the governor’s directive to dismiss schools for in-person instruction for the remainder of 2019-2020 school year. “The education of our kids, along with the bonding and learning experiences they get at school, are incredibly important, so I fully understand and appreciate the impact this will have on our kids individually and families across Vermont,” said Governor Scott. “But from my vantage point, I believe it’s the right decision because it’s for the health of our kids, communities and the entire state. That’s why we’re doing this—to keep people safe, to slow the spread and to save lives.”

Vermont Business Magazine Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, announced today that there are 25 new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Vermont and that another person died of the virus Friday morning. He added that the VDH plans to make it easier for Vermonters who have mild or moderate symptoms of COVID-19 to get tested. However, this would not change the testing process of calling your health provider first. You are asked not to go straight to the hospital. Dr Levine additionally emphasized that the new coronavirus attacks the lungs, making it harder for people who smoke or vape – tobacco, cannabis or anything else – to fight off the virus, putting them at much greater risk of severe illness, even death.