Dear Editor, Discussion and debate about whether to wear a mask as a means to halt the spread of Covid-19 is traveling around Vermont like a wildfire, or, perhaps better said, like a virus. The matter comes up frequently at […]
Tag: covid-19
Policy makers need to look at the broad impacts
Dear Editor, Public health experts are critical participants in the development of government policies dealing with challenges like the pandemic. But their perspective is only one consideration in the development of effective and rational public policy. These folks may know […]
Flu returns to Vermont after taking a year off
By Liora Engel-Smith/VTDigger As Vermont braces for the Omicron variant of Covid-19, influenza appears to be making a comeback. Roughly 1 in 10 people tested for respiratory symptoms in Vermont had the flu in mid-December up from about 3 in […]
Killington Select Board considers local mask mandate, no decision made
By Curt Peterson The Killington Select Board discussed a possible local mask mandate at their Dec. 14 meeting, but failed to make a decision either way; Town Manager Chet Hagenbarth is to gather information about mandate terminology, enactment process and […]
First case of the Omicron variant confirmed in Vermont
Officials say boosters necessary The Vermont Dept. of Health announced Saturday, Dec. 18, that it confirmed the state’s first case of the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus. Genetic sequencing identified the new variant in a specimen collected on Dec. […]
RRMC restricts visitors to combat Covid
Last Thursday, Dec. 9, Rutland Regional Medical Center began restricting visitors in order to protect patients from rising Covid cases in the community. Adult inpatients will not be allowed to have visitors; a few patients, such as mothers in labor, […]
Scott to the unvaxed: ‘You will get infected’
By Ethan Weinstein With cases rising country-wide, Governor Phil Scott and his administration focused their weekly Covid press conference on encouraging Vermonters to get their booster shots and faulting the unvaccinated for the state’s current surge. “It’s become clear that […]
Windsor Central School announces winter sports plan
Staff report In a letter to Windsor Central Supervisor Union (WCSU) families, dated Dec. 3, Superintendent Sherry Sousa outlined its proposed winter sports guidelines for elementary and middle/high schools. The proposal will be discussed and finalized at the district board […]
Another week brings record Covid hospitalizations, ICU patients and cases in Vermont
By Ethan Weinstein Despite another week of record high case counts, hospitalized Covid patients, and patients needing ICU treatment, Governor Phil Scott and his Covid team will not make any substantive policy changes to stop the spread of the virus. […]
Pandemic isn’t likely to end soon; expect a lot more ‘sacrifices’
By Nicholas Boke Editor’s note: Nicholas Boke is a freelance writer and international education consultant who lives in Chester. In late December, Rutland Board of Aldermen member Matt Whitcomb asked the big question as he and his colleagues puzzled over […]