Cavendish Update 3/13/20: Covid-19/Trains

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Special Covid-19 Update: Given how rapidly things are changing because of Covid-19 (Coronavirus), this special Cavendish Update focuses on:

1. Why all the closings

2. Closing/cancellations/rescheduling/Changes

3. Cavendish Preparedness

4. How You Can Help

 Before we launch into our special post, for those that have been aware of the significant freight rail traffic, and want to know why, it’s the closer of the Hoosac tunnel in North Adams, Ma. A 4.75 Mile tunnel that passes through the Hoosac Range, it’s the longest active transportation tunnel east of the Rocky Mountains. Due to a collapse in the tunnel, some freight trains have been re- routed through Vermont. According to Rtands.com, the tunnel will be out of service at least through March and more likely beyond.

1. WHY ALL THE CLOSINGS: Politics aside,  the U.S. doesn’t have proper Covid-19 testing in place so therefore we don’t know whose infected. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has only tested a little over 11,000 people so far, while countries like South Korea are testing nearly 10,000 patients per day.

 Public Health and infectious disease specialists have been studying the pandemic in other parts of the world (e.g. Italy, China, South Korea) and are aware how easily the virus is transmitted, and if not contained, will quickly overwhelm the U.S. health care system.

 While approximately 80% of those who contract the virus will have minimal symptoms, it’s the other 20% that’s of concern. People 60 years of age and over as well as those  with a pre-existing condition have a significantly greater risk of serious illness and even death. Covid-19 is estimated to be ten times deadlier than the flu.

At this juncture, Vermont has two cases and two additional patients in hospital who are awaiting test results.

Testing is being limited to those who appear to have risk for infection and as of Thursday, Vermont has tested 99 people but expect to have a daily capacity to run 78 tests. Please note, you can’t get a test just because you want one.

In view of this,  “social distancing,” restricting when and where people can gather, is being strongly advocated by Public Health officials in order to slow down the spread of this highly contagious disease. Such strategies can include: Colleges converting to web based learning; employees telecommuting; school closures; public libraries restricting materials to people who reserve them by phone and only stop to pick them up; closing areas where people gather (malls, movie theaters, restaurants);  cancelling events, indoors and outside, that would draw a crowd; and self-isolation for those at high risk and/or infected.

Vermont is recommending social distancing measures, including staying 6 feet away from other people.

As UVM Medical Center COO Stephen Leffler said at yesterday’s press conference, “You should assume when you're going out and about in public right now, that you could be being exposed. And you should take all appropriate precautions, because it's out there, broader than just the two people that are currently in the hospital.”

2. CANCELLATIONS/RESCHEDULINGS/CHANGES: Check before going to an event or visiting someone at a nursing home, hospital, prison or other group facility, as cancellations and visit limitations are quite frequent.

• VT Colleges Going Remote: UVM, VT Law, St. Michael’s, Middlebury, all state colleges (Castleton, Vt Technical, Community College of VT, Northern University) and Sterling.
• Cancelled: Special Olympics at Killington; Chester Lego Competition; St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Boston and NYC

• Cancelled but will reschedule

-       Cavendish Library’s Game of Thrones Fandom Fest March 15

-       Cavendish Historical Society’s Annual Meeting-March 29, will reschedule for May or June.

-       Broadway closed until April 12.

• Sports: NBA, NHL, Soccer suspended, March Madness is cancelled. MLB has suspended spring training and is pushing back the start of the regular season. Olympics to be determined

• Limitation on travel from Europe to the US for 30 days beginning tonight. Will not apply to the U.K., American citizens, their families and cargo. Learn more by clicking here.
• The State Department has issued an advisory for U.S. citizens to “reconsider travel abroad.” They have also advised Americans against traveling on cruise ships. Note that both Princess and Viking have halted operations.
• VT has activated it’s emergency operations center to coordinate resources

• VT Legislature is working on emergency response legislation to remediate impacts the disease could have on Vermont while crafting plans to protect legislators from exposure and allowing them to finish work on key bills. VT Digger

• Southwestern Vermont Medical Center has started a Covid-19 information hotline at 802-440-8844, 8-5 Monday-Friday.

3. CAVENDISH PREPAREDNESS: A handout is available, which will be continually updated as new information is received, is available at The Dish.

Because social distancing measures are being implemented without little warning, it is important that residents be prepared by having sufficient food, water, medications (prescription and over the counter), incidentals, pet food and supplies, for about two weeks. In addition, make plans for school age children who could be home for the same length of time. Talk to your employer to see if working from home is an option.

Cavendish has poor Internet speeds in various parts of town. However,  free Wi-Fi is available at the Cavendish Library in Proctorsville 24/7. You can access it from the parking lot in front of the Library. You will need a password, which  is available from the Librarian 802-226-7503 or Town Office 802-226-7291.

Prevention Measures: Because COVID-19 spreads similarly to flu and colds, the biggest risk is contact with someone who is infected.

• Practice social distancing by staying 6 feet away from people, avoiding large crowds

• Cover your cough with your arm or tissue not your hand

• Wash your hands throughout the day with soap & water, using hand sanitizer when that’s not available. Proper hand washing includes using soap (either bar or liquid), rubbing the backs of hands, between your fingers and under your nails for 20 seconds. Hands getting too dry? Use lotion to avoid dry/cracked skin and wash with cool water.

 • Stay at home if you are sick. Keep your child out of school if they are sick

• Avoid people who are sick and avoid touching your face

Symptoms of  Covid-19: If you should get Covid-19, it will feel similar to a cold or flu. Most people do not get seriously ill. However, it can cause considerable problems, including death, for  those with a pre-existing medical condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes, cancer, heart disease) and people over 60. We need to each do our part to keep this germ out of our community. 

Signs you should seek medical attention: Always contact your doctor if you have severe shortness of breath, chest pain or a cough that keeps getting worse. Call ahead before going to an emergency room or the Ludlow Health Center. It’s important to follow this step for two reasons: 1) The staff will ask you a series of questions, which may result in your not needing to come in. 2) If you do need to come in, the staff can be prepared for your visit. It’s important to reduce contagion of medical staff as if they become exposed, which has already happened in VT, valuable staff will need to be quarantined and not  available to treat patients.

Phone numbers of area health centers and ERs:

• Ludlow Health Center 802-228-8867.

• Springfield Hospital 802-885-7540

• Rutland Regional Medical Center 802-775-7111

• Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center 603-650-7000

• Mt. Ascutney Hospital 802-674-6711

  If you have an emergency, call 911.

 Costs of Testing & Treatment Will be Covered: Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the cost of testing and treatment will be covered. Vermont Department of Health (VDH) has indicated that testing is free.

 Cavendish Cares Bags are filled with  items to provide comfort for those who are sick. Obtain a bag by stopping by the Cavendish Library or calling 802-226-7131. If you have been asked to quarantine in place, please call-DO NOT STOP by the library. 

 The Cavendish Facebook page will provide information as it is received. You do not need to be a Facebook subscriber to use this site.

4. HOW YOU CAN HELP: All of the response groups in town are prepared and ready to deal with any emergencies that might arise. The following are things you can do to help:

• The Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department is looking for N95 masks. Call 226-7790 if you have some you can donate.

• Do not horde items like hand sanitizer and toilet paper

• If you have items for the Cavendish Cares bags (hand sanitizer, tissues, wipes etc.), drop them off at the Cavendish Baptist Church in the box in the side, back door, entrance of the church.

• Pay attention to notices from the VT Department of Health and act accordingly.

 The most important thing you can do is stay healthy not only for your sake but to protect our most vulnerable community members.

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