We're into the second month of the COVID-19 crisis in Vermont and April promises to be even more difficult than March. Current state models project the “peak” of cases between mid-to-late April and early May. The sacrifices we're all making by staying at home are working to slow the spread of the virus, and the following weeks will be critical to saving lives.
I hope you've been able to heed the Governor's "Stay Safe, Stay Home" order and are remaining home unless your work has been deemed "critical" to the response to this public health emergency. You can still go out briefly for things like grocery shopping, medical visits, taking care of others, and exercise, but otherwise, please stay home. We all need to do our part to stop the spread of this deadly virus.
As you likely know, the Governor issued a "Stay Safe, Stay Home" order that took effect today at 5:00pm. The order requires businesses and non-profit organizations that are not critical to the public health and safety, as well as economic and national security, to suspend in-person business operations. Individuals are directed to stay at home, leaving only for essential reasons such as personal safety; groceries or medicine; curbside pick-up of goods, meals or beverages; medical care; exercise; care of others; and work. We are all required to restrict normal activities outside of our homes, consistent with CDC guidance, to help stop the spread of the virus.
I hope you are taking care of yourself and your family during these difficult times. I'm writing again with an update on what I know at this moment about the COVID-19 situation in Vermont and resources that may be helpful to you. Again, I urge everyone to take this public health crisis seriously. Please stay home if you can and limit in-person interactions with people outside your household. Watch this helpful PSA from infectious disease expert Dr. Tim Lahey of UVM Medical Center explaining why people should stay home.
As many of you know, the first two COVID-19 deaths in Vermont were reported yesterday, and the first positive case of the virus was reported in Addison County on Wednesday. As evidenced by this story about a mother taking her young daughter for testing at Porter Hospital, this global pandemic is becoming very real for all of us locally. I urge everyone to take this public health crisis seriously. Please stay home if you can and limit in-person interactions with people outside your household.
