Innkeepers are a busy bunch. To save you time, VLA attends Governor Scott’s Covid-19 Press Conferences and takes notes for you. Below is the summary from 9.8.21.
Governor Scott announced today that all state employees will be required to be vaccinated or mask at work and submit to weekly testing. His administration is also issuing updated guidance that recommends extending masking in schools until October 4, regardless of the percentage of students and teachers that are vaccinated. In order to encourage students and school staff to get vaccinated, the state will be awarding grants to schools with high vaccination rates, allowing the students to help determine how the money is spent. Governor Scott said that the state has “achieved near universal masking” with just one small school not implementing his masking recommendations, and again reiterated that a State of Emergency (and state-wide mask requirement) was unnecessary. Commissioner Levine followed up by stating that “the spread of the virus cannot be blamed on a specific policy, or the lack thereof….”
Commissioner Mike Pieciak reported that Covid rates have begun to bend downward, although the effect of Labor Day weekend activities and gatherings will not be known fully for two weeks.
NOTES:
- Governor Phil Scott:
- Vaccine requirement for some state employees went into effect on Sept 1. Starting September 15, all State of Vermont Executive Branch employees must attest that they are vaccinated or submit to weekly testing and masking at work.
- Only one small school has not adopting masking recommendation. Have achieved near universal masking without a State of Emergency.
- Updating advisory memo to maintain masking requirement in schools until Oct. 4 (regardless of percentage of students and staff vaccinated). Hope that Delta wave will have begun to subside by then.
- AOE has will be awarding grants to schools with high vaccination rates from $2 million federal grant fund. Students will help determine how money is spent.
- Must not let Covid 19 tear us apart.
- Commissioner Mike Pieciak:
- Nationwide – case rate before Labor Day was bending downward (may be temporary increase after long weekend).
- In NE – cases down 7.6% from last week.
- VT seven-day average kicked down.
- Chittenden County – cases are dropping (same as Washington County – although outbreak from summer camp and wedding had affected the numbers – at least 65 cases).
- Unvaccinated case rate has dropped a bit. Vaccinated case rate flat.
- 93.8% vaccinated in Higher Ed.
- Secretary Dan French:
- Community spread lead to change in masking recommendation. Continue masking until Oct. 4 (continue beyond that for students under 12).
- Stepping up surveillance testing.
- Want to minimize need for quarantine – working on contact tracing process.
- Vaccine Grant Incentive Program will launch in October.
- Secretary Mike Smith:
- Testing demand has increased. Encouraging people to make appointments.
- 67 schools in 23 districts will have ability to conduct surveillance testing within the next two weeks.
- Eligibility for boosters will follow rollout from original vaccine shots. Start with health care workers and long term care facilities.
- 86% of eligible Vermonters have received at least one dose.
- (Reviews pop-up clinics)
- We need to remain united.
- Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine:
- Have never seen such differences in people’s awareness of and view of the current conditions. People who are steadfastly for or against vaccines or masks, push for more masks, people who shame the unvaccinated and blame them for current events, people whose passions turn into unacceptable school meetings and screaming matches….
- I get it… it’s disappointing and frustrating for all of us – but I ask you to remember that the virus is the enemy, not each other. The spread of the virus cannot be blamed on a specific policy, or lack thereof. The Delta variant is adept at finding ways to spread through our community and we will continue to see cases.
- Despite the increase of cases we’re seeing here, Vermont is in a good position to weather this surge due to the vaccination rate. We will continue to see outbreaks and cases.
- 38 of 127 campers in summer camp tested positive. All vaccinated were spared. Some indoor activities that at first were unmasked.
- Central Vermont wedding outbreak – 65 known cases. Indoor reception, infrequency of masking. Eating and drinking, unvaccinated children present. Not that we shouldn’t have weddings and attend, but we learn the importance of masking in indoor settings. Get tested after large gatherings. Don’t wait to hear from us to get tested.
- 30 times higher rate of hospitalization for those who are not vaccinated.
- Booster shots – still many questions. Is surge due to power of Delta itself? Waning efficacy of vaccine? Reduction of mitigation measures? Info from Israel suggests booster increases immune response. We’ll be ready for large scale booster rollout when/if happens.
- Questions:
- Scott – Incredibly disappointed in three state troopers that resigned from alleged involvement in fake vaccine card scam. “It’s just a dumb thing to do and makes no sense.” There’ll be an investigation. My first question is why? It’s such a simple thing to do. Get vaccinated. Don’t think fake vaccination cards are a big issue in Vermont.
- Why has state had to revise case counts? Scott – they come in late in the day. Smith – Changing procedures to cut down on big swings in data.
- Scott – Remedying long wait for medical care in Vermont – it’s unacceptable. I think there’s a lot of pent-up demand due to Covid. Health care worker shortage. I think we’ll learn that it’s a combination of factors – but we have to look at this.
- Levine – Over the last week, between 40-50% people hospitalized are vaccinated.
- Waiting to see if those who received J & J vaccine can get Pfizer booster.
- 81 cases in schools so far this year – French – it’s not surprising. Have 80K kids in person this year. Will continue on improving the contact tracing system so that schools have quicker access to school.
- Levine – Cannot commit to date when vaccine will be available to those 12 and under. Latest word is mid to late October for a portion of the population. Have been planning for weeks already. Have great experience with 12 and up with school-based clinics, health care provider, and pharmacies. Ready to go. It may be done in phases (6-11 and then younger than that). It’s taking this long because of different kinds of trials you do for this age group. With pediatric trials there’s a range of doses tested concurrently. Want to hit right dose for effectiveness/safety.
- With Vermont’s Open Meeting Law – have to cancel school board meeting if people won’t wear masks. Counsel have cautioned boards against blocking people based on masking – boards have to continue to get their work done. Are we getting to the point where we need state of emergency to get crucial work done?
- Scott – Don’t think State of Emergency is necessary. Just will have to get creative to get work done. Haven’t talked to my counsel about this yet, but I’m sure that we’ll reflect on this and provide some guidance.
- Scott – Don’t think that rail trails should be open to ATVs.
- Why did it take a month for the State Trooper/vaccine card fraud information to become public? Schirling – Response to release yesterday was in response to media question – otherwise would not have to protect the continuity of the investigation until it was completed.
- Maine and Oregon are asking manufacturers to pay for waste from vaccine… Scott – wouldn’t be surprised if we heard about that here in Vermont in the next legislative session.
- Guy Page, re: with incentive program – “How will you prevent students from bullying uncooperative kids (who won’t get vaccinated) (with incentive program)” – Scott – “Learning experience for kids, good exercise in taking full advantage of their own health…”
- French – Will be conducting data collection on Covid impact on schools including days of learning lost.