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 1.27.21
Governor Scott and his team reported that over 29,000 Vermonters over the age of 75 signed up to receive the Covid-19 vaccine as of 9 am this morning. Twenty-five vaccine clinics opened across the state today to begin administering the vaccines. Secretary Mike Smith estimates that this first age band will be vaccinated in five weeks, and that the additional age bands over the age of 60 and those with high risk designation will be vaccinated by spring. Scott said after the set groups are vaccinated, the state will look at strategic prioritization. Scott also said that the state will receive a 16% increase in vaccine doses received for the next three weeks and hopes that the state will continue to receive additional allotments.
Case counts continue to decrease in Vermont and regionally, with cases in 48 states declining. Vermont had 78 positive Covid-19 cases reported yesterday, and the seven ay case rate average has declined 26 percent. Administration officials expressed optimism that the trend will continue.
NOTES:
- Governor Scott:
- 29K have signed up for vaccination
- 44K Vermonters have received at least first vaccine
- Know that there were glitches in sign up – areas to improve
- Encouraged by the fact that so many have signed up
- Fastest way is to sign up on line.
- Have enough time slots for all in this population to get vaccine.
- Every state is still receiving supply as percent of population – even if they have broader eligibility – they don’t have larger supply.
- Goal is to be the best in distribution and vaccination.
- Won’t be long to open next age bands – and then strategically open up program.
- Need clarity on production methods and timeline for increasing doses – will make a huge difference on when and how to scale up program.
- Commissioner Mike Pieciak:
- US coming down from most recent peak
- For 15 straight days – national 7 day case average has decreased.
- Cases in 48 states are falling.
- Cases decreasing more rapidly.
- Sustained decrease in hospitalizations across country – down 18% from peak.
- Regional data – Under 160K in NE – 14% decrease over last two weeks.
- Vermont – 940 cases this week – 200 case reduction from last week.
- Cases on 7 day rate declined 26% – optimistic trend will continue.
- 16% over overall cases have come from group 65 and over – this week it was just 14%. Cases in long term care residents have improved.
- Vermont has lowest per capita death rate – expect it to drop as vaccinations continue.
- Bennington County – highest case rate – part of it is number of NY residents who come for testing.
- Will start to report on college cases as students return.
- Forecast improved, but expect elevated case counts through the month.
- Secretary Mike Smith:
- Vaccination clinics began today.
- The 75 year and old grouping will take about 5 weeks to vaccinate.
- 90% of deaths from Vermonters 65 and older.
- Reaching out to those with experience to determine how we can run the process better.
- Clinics located in 25 locations across the state today.
- 860 doses of Moderna vaccine at Springfield hospital was stored at 9 degrees, rather than 8 degrees. Cannot be used. 400 were second shots.
- Commissioner Mark Levine:
- 78 cases yesterday.
- 46 in hospital, 8 in ICU, 1 on ventilator.
- 400K deaths nationally, research reveals its now the greatest cause of death.
- 63 outbreaks currently, 23 in LTC, 5 in schools.
- In colleges – spreading more rapidly, shorter incubation, more symptoms. Investigating variants.
- UK variant may be more deadly with more severe symptoms. But vaccine appears effective against it. Concern about South African variant.
- Will be overlapping phases.
- Questions:
- Did you say that after set age bands, priority groups may change?
- Scott – We’ll look once we get through set groups, and make strategic decisions.
- Any restrictions lifting?
- Scott – Looking at opening spigot soon.
- Businesses need help – more fed help coming?
- Scott – Have proposal in BAA. Congress poised for more action. Know how frustrating it is.
- Steve – Biden said he’d have liaison with states on covid?
- Scott – They did commit yesterday for a consistent supply for three weeks – we need to know on vaccines.
- Discussion on opening borders?
- Scott – Part of our region, so we want to open up as quickly, but as safely as we can.
- Courtney, Local22 – Any development on helping homebound Vermonters over 75?
- Smith – Working as rapidly as we can with home health agencies and EMS who are homebound. Will have specifics within 7-10 days.
- Smith – Kinney Drugs is a partner with us – doing 19 locations. Next weeks, some hospitals will be a partner. Can register on Kinney’s website.
- Erin, VTDigger – Received email from reader telling us that their parents vaccine appointment got booked due to double booking (one made on phone, one online).
- Smith – By end of today will have 30K – want to fix glitches. Don’t think that’s a widespread issue.
- Mike D – Why no sites listed in Grand Isle?
- Smith – Sites distributed looking at number of 75 year old in counties. Don’t know precisely what we have in Grand Isle County – but will double check to make sure.
- Mike – Were Vermonters offered jobs at the call centers? Concern re: lack of knowledge of Vermont and communication skills.
- Smith – Use local companies to some degree. Did use Maximus as well. They have done well by us in the past.
- Tim, Vermont Business Magazine – $53 million for IT modernization – ¼ of $210 million… what is big argument on spending so much money on that?
- Scott – This is one time money and we should use it strategically. Areas we’ve been trying to improve upon. $10 million is for IE at AHS – had it in Capital Bill – was borrowed money – long thought it was inappropriate to use that money for IT. Frees that money up for other capital needs. We have old mainframes that need upgrading – very expensive to do. Will improve costs for Vermonters in the long run, and improve experiences for Vermonters. Good use of one time money.
- Tim- Timeline for replacing UI system?
- Scott – Some of this could be used for putting a few band aids for it – hoping that feds give us some appropriation in the future for taking care of it.
- Avery, WCAX – Re: college students returning and cases at Norwich U and UVM – anything being done different to help with increase in cases?
- Scott – Students were required to test and quarantine when they came onto campus. So it’s working. Mitigating the spread. Not sure if we do anything different.
- Levine – Need to learn from college athletics – very hostile environment when it comes to the virus. Athletes testing frequently and living in quarantine environment. Doing everything they can. But it’s challenging.
- Wilson, AP – Is vaccinating 75 and older in 5 weeks for both shots?
- Scott – Includes both vaccinations.
- Wilson – What would you do if you were suddenly presented with an opening in a Vermont Senate position – how quickly could you fill it?
- Scott – I’ve talked about this before re: Sen. Sanders. The past four years I’ve strived to do the fair thing and appoint someone from the same party to represent us when there is an opening – this would be the same in the future. I believe in the process, I believe in parity – we all have an obligation to tone down partisanship. If there’s an opening in any legislative seat, I would appoint someone from the same party.
- Joe, Barton Chronicle – Now that the first people who have received are getting their second shots – it’s clear what the hopeful effect on society is to be – what difference is it likely to make in an individuals life when they receive both doses?
- Scott – For some, the difference is life and death.
- Levine – It is life and death, and beyond that it’s the emergence from a very socially isolating nine months. I truly believe that so many people in this age band have hunkered down and not been able to see family and friends and keep themselves as safe as possible. This is the time that they could hug their grandchild. I think it could make a huge difference.
- Joe – New guidance on how people should behave and will that be complicated in knowing who has and has not been vaccinated?
- Levine – Questions our Restart Group is grappling with several times a week. Don’t want to have constant focus on case counts as a metric – the reality is, we do expect that case counts will go down with vaccination and people following guidance. With emergence of spring and people being outdoors more and less crowded indoor settings. Hope that we’ll see a lot less of the issues that we’ve seen with this virus. Hope that people will continue to mask and district. When they can evolve to a more relaxed posture – I’m not sure – but there will be a time when they can change that behavior to a certain degree. I don’t think it’s true that the handshake won’t ever happen again. I need you to give it a little more time Joe.
- Seven Days – Do you have number of vaccine doses spoiled so far (before 860)
- Levine – High 20’s. Will happen in any vaccine program. People will be rescheduled – won’t be a couple months from now – a few days.
- Smith – Upcoming groups smaller than current group. When springtime arrives, we’ll be through first bands.
- Scott – We found out about the spoilage as we were walking in to the press conference. Don’t know what it’s going to mean for the program. Going to get 16% more next week. Manufacturer has final decision on spoiling dose.
- Q – Hearing from 1A workers who had appointments that facility ran out of vaccine and didn’t have any more for 1A workers. You had stated that when you move on to one group, you won’t stop the previous group.
- Smith – We’ll find out where the miscommunication is. We’re continuing to vaccine 1A workers. We are starting to limit the supply, because we are starting to move supply to 75+. But we’re going to continue to vaccinate those groups that are qualified once we leave them. Time schedule may be a little bit different as we use vaccine in different ways.
- Q – Some municipalities are having a hard time finding mailing envelopes for town meetings – not allowed to print own envelopes. SOS ran out.
- Scott – Question for the Secretary of State – I’m sure he’s all over this. I have not heard these concerns.
- Cat, WCAX – 16% increase in doses – presumably, appointments being scheduled based on anticipated lower allotment – will you be re-scheduling?
- Scott – Just found out about bump – will be reassessing. We’ll report back to you by Friday.
- Cat – What happens to extra doses if people don’t show up for doses? Had heard there would be rapid call list for people nearby, now hearing from Smith that there’s no list.
- Scott – Each location has a strategy in place.
- Smith – Was saying there’s no sign up list – but each district has lists of people that are homebound. Have various lists.
- Cat – I’ve heard of people calling people they know…where’s the criteria?
- Smith – This is the first day of clinics. Have been explicit that priority is 75 and older – if you get to end of day, and 1A is available – don’t waste dose and use it. I will be extremely upset if people are calling friends who are not eligible.
- Sean, Chester Telegraph – When will downstate pharmacies be listed for clinics?
- Smith – Always adding on health care partners. Continuously looking at gaps. Once we have permanent partners that can cover service areas, can use ability to strategically bring in Health Department pods as well. Will add vaccination capacity if we have to. When we looked capacity last night – there was still capacity at every site.
- Ed, Newport Daily Express – I’ve been interviewing people in dairy industry who have value added products – applied for unemployment last year and were denied. Were never able to find out why. Is there a way someone can get in touch with me?
- Harrington – I’ll get in touch with you – very case specific.
- Steve, NEKTV – Re: additives – been looking into lipid particles. Are they grown from human cultures?
- Levine- Don’t have an answer for that. Doubt they’re grown from cultures at all. Likely synthesized from chemicals.
- Steve – It said biological origin.
- Steve – In order to combat vaccine hesitancy in African American community, Morehouse reached out to elders to get vaccine. One was Hank Aaron and he was dead two weeks later – do you think something like that may affect the hesitancy across the African Community?
- Levine – I didn’t know that about Hank Aaron. I think Morehouse’s strategy is a good one.
- Levine- Don’t have an answer for that. Doubt they’re grown from cultures at all. Likely synthesized from chemicals.
- John Dillon, VPR – A number of District Commissioners and Chairs have testified that Act 250 isn’t broken and their rulings aren’t inconsistent – so why, in your opinion is a professional board needed?
- Scott – I think there is a problem, as someone who’s been on both sides of this issue. Vast amount of different opinions depending on where you go. Maybe today there’s no issue, but go back three or four years and there are different chairs and commissioners and vastly different decisions. A number of different people leads to a lack of consistency. Doesn’t mean that they can’t deal with some of the minor applications. They’ve gotten very complicated – need professional board.
- John – Will your administration be testifying and offering these inconsistent decisions?
- Scott – I would hope that the committees of jurisdiction will reach out for testimony. I’m sure they’ve heard from their constituents on this.
- Did you say that after set age bands, priority groups may change?