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 8.31.21.
Governor Scott and his administration continue to encourage Vermonters to get vaccinated and to wear masks when it is “appropriate” (i.e. indoors in crowded settings). Although pushed by reporters about masking, Gov. Scott and Dr. Levine would not state that they supported universal masking at this time.
The Covid case growth rate in Vermont has slowed down, and Vermont continues to have the lowest hospitalization rate. Most schools will be in session by the end of the week, and Secretary French said that the administration continues to recommend masking until schools reach a 80% vaccination rate. Students too young to receive a vaccination should continue to mask.
- Governor Phil Scott:
- Cases are slowing nationally
- Today is International Overdose Awareness Day – overdoses have increased in the last year and a half. Currently no waitlist for MAT. EMS professionals have distributed over 17K doses of Narcan.
- 75% of children between the ages of 12-17 have received at least one dose. Hoping that approval for kids under the age of 12 happens in the next month or so.
- Despite what you might see on Twitter, we’re in a much better place than any other state because of vaccination rate. 68% of population completely vaccinated.
- CDC transmission map – all VT counties in high or substantial transmission area – but not a one size fit all metric. (Chittenden has 40.5 cases per day, other counties nationally have 10 times per capita case rate but are put in same CDC category).
- VT has lowest hospitalization rate.
- Message is clear – get vaccinated, because we’ve proven that they work.
- Addresses attacks at school boards implementing mask requirement at schools. The data doesn’t support a state of emergency; without one, the state cannot unilaterally institute a mask mandate. But we believe that schools should be requiring masks at this this point.
- Commissioner Mike Pieciak:
- In Vermont – we had 174 more cases this past week – rate of growth continues to decrease though.
- Vermont’s reproduction rate below 1 – infection rate starting to decline.
- Testing increase the past week.
- Rate of growth higher for non-vaccinated people – and six times higher hospitalization rate since July.
- 72% of people in past seven days not vaccinated.
- Hawaii is at 86.2 percent now – Vermont second.
- Secretary Dan French
- Most schools will be open as of this week.
- Trends looking better – but still a challenging time.
- Still recommending 2 weeks of masking for all – and continued masking for those under 12. After 80% of school students and staff are vaccinated – masks no longer needed.
- Voluntary surveillance testing will be available to students and staff.
- Secretary Mike Smith
- 21 inmates and one staff member tested positive at the Newport Correctional facility.
- (Lists vaccination clinics)
- Deputy Commissioner Dougherty
- Concerning increase in overdoses and opioid caused ER visits in the past year and a half.
- Launched KnowOD campaign.
- Use Vermont HelpLink for help.
- Commissioner Mark Levine
- Vaccinated people can transmit virus for short periods of time – why some mask wearing is appropriate.
- Boosters – closely watching the data. And guidance that will be forthcoming in the next several weeks.
- Questions:
- French – Twinfield and East Montpelier have seen cases. Will likely ask the SBE for waiver authority for require number of days for school year.
- Smith – plan on roll out for booster similar to how original roll out occurred. Immunocompromised have been receiving booster.
- Scott – Don’t think issue in Afghanistan is over – unfortunate to leave Americans there.
- 80% of incarcerated population, 79% of staff.
- Levine – I would say that there are no differences of opinion in the Department of Health – would not say there is any contentiousness about epi teams work … but there are many issues at play. Many issues that aren’t simple yes/no’s. With regard to influence that anything written that the VDH employees have had on him – I just want to make sure that our communities are as safe as possible – with greater overall goal of protecting the schools, the long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, other vulnerable people. Can’t say that masks are 100% effective – vaccination is primary strategy. Best mitigation strategy is mask. I’m sure that many of you are seeing what I’m seeing – that people are doing appropriate things in appropriate settings… people masking and taking a sense of personal responsibility. That behavior may account for decrease in growth.
- Q – what is stopping you from publicly stating, as your employees have asked, that you support universal masking?
- Levine – I recommend masking indoors, but do not mandate it…
- Q – what is stopping you from publicly stating, as your employees have asked, that you support universal masking?
- Turnaround time for tests right now? Has been averaging 1.2 days, but Smith will double check. Most of the labs that the state use are pretty quick.
- Scott – Considering mandating vaccines for the overall enterprise (state employees). We can’t be in a perpetual state of emergency… only one school not implementing our guidance.
- Scott – Indoor masking not always necessary – concurs with Dr. Levine.