Note: This article did not appear in the March 12, 2020 issue of The Citizen as planned. It will be replaced for publication on March 20th by an updated version written on March 13th as the Legislature adopted COVID-19 economic relief provisions before taking a 1-week recess to reduce exposure of members to the virus.
As Town Meeting discussion turned to the Advisory motions
last Tuesday, the question of what Vermont is doing in the face of the novel
Corona virus (COVID-19) was asked. The Vermont
Department of Health is monitoring the situation and is actively planning for
any outbreak of the virus in the state, but at this time there is no appropriation
in the budget to address the virus specifically. After speaking with a member of
the Appropriations Committee, I have been advised that the appropriations for
the Department of Health has funding for such emergency situations. As the
budget makes its way through the House in the next two weeks and through the Senate
after that, any funds allocated by the federal government to address the
situation will be included. In the
meantime, Vermonters can keep abreast of the Health Department's evolving COVID-19
response at https://www.healthvermont.gov/response/infectious-disease/2019-novel-coronavirus.
The Health Department website states that it is closely
monitoring the developments in the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a
novel (new) coronavirus and is prepared to respond to protect and support
Vermonters. More than 200 people are being monitored by the Health Department
throughout Vermont.
On March 8th one known case of coronavirus was
confirmed in the Bennington area, and the patient is being treated at the
Southwestern Medical Center Hospital in Bennington.
Governor Phil Scott in a press conference on Friday, March 6th,
announced that the State will ensure that anyone who meets the medical
requirements for testing for COVID-19 can be tested at no cost. Vermont health
insurers are directed to waive any out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing,
and those insured by Medicare and Medicaid will also be covered. Also, the cost of testing for the 3% of
Vermonters who do not have health care coverage will also be absorbed by state
government. For more information, contact Stephanie Brackin, Department of
Financial Regulation, at 802-828-4872.
Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, reminds us that the
most important thing for Vermonters to do is to take action to help prevent the
spread of respiratory illness:
- Wash hands often with soap
and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if
soap and water aren’t available.
- Cough or sneeze into your
sleeve or a tissue, not your hands.
- Stay home when you’re
sick, especially with a fever, except to get medical care.
- Avoid close contact with
people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes,
nose and mouth.
- Routinely clean and
disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- And get your flu shot –
flu is still widespread in Vermont.
Also, prepare yourselves and your families for the
possibility that you might need to stay home for a few weeks. The situation is
fluid, so use the local news media and the Health Department website to stay
informed.
