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 11.16.21.
In response to mounting pressure from legislative leaders to impose a state mask mandate, Governor Scott said that he was “extending an olive branch to compromise.” He is calling the legislature back for a special session “with the sole purpose of giving municipalities the authority to implement mask mandates in their communities.” The governor has asked that the authority end on April 30, and municipalities would have to vote on the mandate every 30 days, the same renewal period for a state of emergency declaration. He stressed that this proposal originated from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, and that he does “not think that mask mandates will move us towards our goals…we need to move out a perpetual state of mandates.”
Governor Scott also again stated that he will not be running for Sen. Leahy’s soon-to-be vacated seat.
NOTES:
- Governor Phil Scott:
- Reiterate using common sense – get vaccinated.
- Important to get booster, if over 18 and it’s been 6 months since you’ve received second dose of Moderna or Pfizer – or two months since J & J.
- Case rate has declined for those over 65 – due to boosters (?).
- Vermonters should wear masks indoors. Use testing as a tool.
- Take a test before attending a gathering – especially Thanksgiving.
- Working to increase access to treatment such as monoclonal antibodies – to avoid hospitalizations. Texas and Florida have had great success with this.
- All these steps will help protect vulnerable and keep health care system stable.
- Perpetual state of emergency and unilateral executive authority is not healthy for our democracy or our people.
- Considering that 44 other states, including 17 out of 23 governors who are Democrats are taking the same approach, meaning that they don’t have mandates in place, tells me that most governors, regardless of party, agree that this is the path forward.
- However, legislative leaders have made clear that a statewide mandate and further mandates, are needed right now. I disagree – but to move forward I extended an olive branch to compromise.
- My offer is to call them back for a special session with the sole purpose of giving municipalities the authority to implement mask mandates in their communities.
- I’ve asked for this authority to end April 30 – and that municipalities have to re-vote on it every 30 days, just like we did with the state of emergency.
- This is something that the VLCT asked for last week, and I see this as a compromise between my position and the legislative leadership’s position.
- I’ve been clear with them that this is as far as I’m willing to go, and I will veto anything else, because I do not think that mask mandates will move us towards our goals, and I think that we need to move out a perpetual state of mandates.
- It appears that they’re planning to come back, so we’ll move forward on our end.
- As we’ve done over the last 20 months, and will continue to do, we focus on taking steps on protecting vulnerable Vermonters and our health care system.
- Do not mistake a lack of mandates for a lack of action. This is the path forward and I for one have faith in the people of Vermont who have stepped up throughout the entire pandemic and know we need their help in protecting the elderly and health care system – will take the steps needed without a mandate.
- Commissioner Mike Pieciak:
- Increase of rate of 16% – cases still high and increasing. A little slow down over the last three days.
- Testing remains stable. Had most testing in country this week on a per capita basis. Picking up more cases than other states.
- Positivity rate higher than we’d like it to be. Not decreasing or plateauing.
- 5-11 year-olds have almost double rate of other age groups. Critical to get them vaccinated asap.
- 65 and older rate has held steady and then decreased. 55% have received boosters.
- Case rates up 64% over last 30 days. But ICU numbers flat.
- Most of cases occurring where those are unvaccinated – 3.9 times higher.
- Hospitalizations – unvaccinated 2.2 times more. Those who are vaccinated are spending 12% time less in the hospital.
- NEK still has elevated case counts. Rutland and Bennington Counties also high.
- Higher Ed case rate dropped.
- 15 active outbreaks in Long Term Care facilities.
- November – 19 fatalities.
- Forecasting – last year for Thanksgiving, case rates declined. Reduction in mobility. Encourage safe gathering this year.
- Anticipate that cases won’t go down next week.
- 26% of fully vaccinated have received booster.
- Secretary Dan French:
- Test to Stay – enables students to stay in school rather than quarantine. Half of school districts have enrolled (but not necessarily implemented).
- Non-clinical staff are helping implement Test to Stay in schools.
- Most of transmission is outside of schools. Gatherings and families – and those who are unvaccinated.
- Expect activities cancelled and quarantines for schools with low vaccination rates.
- Secretary Mike Smith:
- As of today – 15,991 children have received first dose or have schedule first dose. Just over 36% of 5-11 population.
- VT received 7,000 extra pediatric doses – can distribute some to pediatric offices.
- 131,000 Vermonters have received booster doses.
- Monoclonal antibody treatment available statewide.
- Brought online 80 additional sub-acute beds – will free up additional capacities.
- Contact Tracing – Only a few states participate in contract tracing as much as Vermont. 150 FTE. Delta variant spreads faster – need to evolve process. Will be relying more on rapid tests to speed up the process. Also asking people to reach out immediate to close contacts when they test positive. Focus contact tracing out outbreaks and vulnerable populations.
- Thanksgiving – get tested before if you are gathering – get tested Monday to get results in time.
- Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine:
- Expresses appreciation to Senator Leahy – national leader for public health.
- Pandemic is not over. Virus continues to evolve and fight back.
- Getting close to the state where the virus is endemic. But Vermont is not there yet. Still threatens the worst outcomes, especially amongst those unvaccinated and at high risk. Threatens health care system. In better place than before.
- Gathering indoors mask-less is a recipe for spreading cases.
- Recommendations for Thanksgiving gathering: have the talk before you go (vaccination status), keep it small, get tested before you gather – PCR no later than Monday and rapid antigen test right before the gathering, if you have any symptoms – skip the dinner and stay home, get tested 5-7 days after the gathering.
- Questions:
- Scott – Nothing has changed in my position (about the mask mandate) but this is my compromise. We need more of that across the country… Need to reflect on what mandates represent. The very people that you are trying to help are going to resist… we’re trying to help and educate. There’s a social science to this; sometimes forcing people makes them resist. 70% of those in hospital are unvaccinated – our strategy is to try and educate them and have them do the right thing. Forcing them is not going to help them at this time.
- Scott: We still have a lot to be proud of – look where cases are growing. Was talking to another governor the other night in a similar position – we’re still among the lowest in nation for hospitalizations…other states who have lower case counts have high hospitalizations. We have a robust testing strategy. Have also learned that vaccine has waned a bit – we were the first to jump in – that’s why we have to be boosted. Don’t focus on cases, focus on hospitalizations and ICU.
- Re: Leahy – Scott: He’s not done yet… we’ll see a lot from him over the next year. He’s been an advocate for Vermont – it’s bittersweet, he’s a powerful voice for Vermonters, but he’s been there for 40 years, and he deserves a retirement and to enjoy all that he’s created in Vermont. Real decent human being – talk weekly, sometimes just to say “hi.”
- Scott – Will be asking at next White House meeting about supply chain issue for rapid test. If there is an issue – will ask for Production Act to fix.
- Levine – Local mandates (by town) can be successful. Literature supports – but was pre-Delta era. In other states – compliance challenging. Variable success in Delta era.
- Levine – Rate of uptake of flu vaccine this year – is almost identical what it was prior to the pandemic. Would like to see our level this year at least as robust as last year.
- Re: running for Leahy’s seat – Scott: I’m out of this one.
- Smith – ICU bed shortage due to staffing issues not caused by any vaccine mandate… had a nursing shortage before Covid. Trying to help hospitals with funding.
- Infrastructure bill – Scott: In good shape, hasn’t impacted project timelines. Good news for roads and bridges, climate change initiatives, broadband. For broadband – the board, CUDs, and private entities are laying the groundwork and hopefully we’ll be able to put a lot of fiber in the ground in the next year to two years. It’s all going to come down to – I’m still concerned whatever it is – roads, bridges, climate change, broadband etc. – concerning the workforce. We’re still struggling, and we’re going to need to work together this session with the legislature. Have to come up with ways to attract more people to Vermont.
- Scott: We do need more moderate voices in Washington, but I’m not wanting to be one of them.
- Smith: Continue to look for hotel/motel space for the winter for homeless Vermonters. 500 in shelters right now. Would like to increase that capacity by 500. Are looking for other facilities, like vacant college dorms.
- French: Too early to tell trends of where vaccine rates for kids are higher in certain areas of the state.
- Is there concern about winters sports with kids opening up, especially with variable use of masks? – Scott: School recommendations – athletes and spectators wear masks and get vaccinated. This time last year, we didn’t have vaccines. Balancing needs of students to risks.