By Erin Petenko/VTDigger The first wave of influenza in the spring of 1918 was easy on the world: It, too, was a novel virus, but as it spread through the armed forces, sickening young men, it killed a few and spared most. It turned out to be a “herald wave,” presaging the second wave, which had…

By Polly Mikula Vermont is second only to Hawaii in its low number of total Covid cases (Vermont has 1,301; Hawaii has 1,138) and has posted the lowest positivity rating the the country for the past couple weeks, “so we’re doing something right,” Governor Phil Scott said at the state’s regular press conference, Tuesday, July…

By Polly Mikula Vermont businesses that have been hit hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic can now apply for up to $50,000 in emergency support. And some 2,300 businesses had as of 5 p.m. Monday, July 6, the first day the portals opened. The process received generally positive reviews on its first day, with wait times averaging…

The state’s independent non-partisan Vermont Commission on Women released a new data dashboard report on Thursday, June 25, outlining on the ways the Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionately and uniquely impacted women. “The economic downturn associated with the pandemic makes women more vulnerable to financial instability,” said Cary Brown, the commission’s executive director. “Our dashboard reveals that a higher percentage of…

By Grace Elletson/VTDigger Across the country, homeless populations have been battered by Covid-19. Over 700 people without housing have tested positive for the disease in Boston. Similar outbreaks among homeless Americans have taken hold in cities like Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Philadelphia. In Vermont, only one person experiencing homelessness tested positive for Covid-19. No one has died. That’s because…

By Curt Peterson The Agency of Education and the Dept. of Health issued long-awaited guidelines for the reopening Vermont schools this fall on June 17. The 25-page report “A Strong and Healthy Start, Safety and Health Guidance for Reopening Schools, Fall 2020” warned that, “This guidance will be periodically updated as new information becomes available.”…

Policy allows quarantine-free travel from designated counties from Ohio to Virginia As state data and expanded testing and tracing capacity continue to support reopening, Governor Phil Scott announced Friday, June 26, that he will expand the number of states covered under Vermont’s county-by-county quarantine-free travel policy, which allows direct travel from designated counties without a 14-day…

State stops short of saying outbreak is contained Staff report FAIR HAVEN — Last week a cluster of new Covid-19 cases popped up in Fair Haven. On Monday, June 22, two cases were reported, but by Wednesday there were 12. However, since then, no new cases have been confirmed in the area — and over 200…

Funds are still available to those in need The Woodstock Area Relief Fund (WARF) has received more than $450,000 in donations and has already helped 148 households representing 418 individuals in the Windsor Central Supervisory Union. The funds are being used by families struggling due to the Covid-19 crisis. “I’ve been trying to handle this situation with…

The BROC Community Action Covid Relief Fund recently received $1,134.06 raised by Spring Lake Ranch, it announced June 17. Cassie Cohen, an optimistic community member with a strong desire to run the Spring Lake Ranch trails thought it might be nice to “gather a few people to run with me on the trails.” Out of…

All staff and inmates at Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility (MVRCF) in Rutland were tested for Covid-19 on Saturday, June 20, and all came back negative. Another round of testing will be done Monday, June 29. This mass testing comes after an inmate tested positive for the virus on Tuesday, June 16. “As states and…

Starting June 26, venues can fill to 50% capacity or 75 indoor, 150 outdoor By Polly Mikula As state data and expanded testing and tracing capacity continue to support reopening, Governor Phil Scott on Friday, June 19, announced the state will raise occupancy limits for event venues, arts, culture and entertainment venues, as well as restaurants.…

Starting June 26, venues can fill to 50% capacity or 75 indoor, 150 outdoor As state data and expanded testing and tracing capacity continue to support reopening, Governor Phil Scott on Friday, June 19, announced the state will raise occupancy limits for event venues, arts, culture and entertainment venues, as well as restaurants. Beginning June…

By Anne Wallace Allen/VTDigger Vermonters who live in long-term care facilities could have their first face-to-face visits with visiting family or friends by Father’s Day, Gov. Phil Scott said Wednesday. Scott and Agency of Human Services Secretary Mike Smith outlined new guidance that the state plans to put into effect Sunday for the state’s more…

On Monday, June 15, Governor Phil Scott signed an executive order to update and extend the state of emergency in Vermont to July 15. He emphasized that the intent of the order was as “a vehicle or mechanism to do all the things we need to do to manage our response.” Scott noted that the state…