Category: Covid-19

Reporter probes ‘no vaccine deaths’ claim

The Vermont Department of Health’s claim that no Vermonters reported dead by the CDC from receiving the Covid-19 vaccine actually died for that reason is not based on first-hand examination of remains. Instead, it relies on information shared by deceased patients’ physicians shortly after death.

Vax discrimination suit goes to court May 10

On March 2, Jim Hogue of Calais, Emily Peyton of Putney, Karen Eddings, Morningstar Porta, Kathleen Tarrant, and Deborah Dailey filed for an immediate emergency injunction in US Federal Court against Gov. Phil Scott, Attorney General TJ Donovan, and Health Commissioner Mark Levine “to halt orders, rules and enforcement regarding the lifting of quarantine solely for those who vaccinate” and other measures.

Hospital vax role limited

“Hospitals are getting some allocation of vaccine right now,” Health Commissioner Levine explained at last Friday’s press conference. “The goal of that is mainly for their emergency room setting where they may see somebody who is vulnerable and may not actually have any other contact with the health care system and this provides a great opportunity to begin their vaccine process.” 

CDC Science Brief: Community Use of Cloth Masks to Control the Spread of SARS-CoV-2

hands with latex gloves holding a globe with a face mask

CDC position on masks: SARS-CoV-2 infection is transmitted predominately by respiratory droplets generated when people cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe. CDC recommends community use of masks, specifically non-valved multi-layer cloth masks, to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Masks are primarily intended to reduce the emission of virus-laden droplets (“source control”), which is especially relevant for asymptomatic or presymptomatic infected wearers who feel well and may be unaware of their infectiousness to others, and who are estimated to account for more than 50% of transmissions.

Masked to Death

woman in brown dress holding white plastic bottle painting

Early on in my research, back in March 2020, as the virus began to spread, I sought the most reputable sources of information for which masks were most effective if any. Any good scientist knows the Random Controlled Trial (RCT) is the gold standard for deriving scientific evidence for determining efficacy or lack thereof. As I poured over the research it was abundantly clear – masks do not work for stopping viral transmission. Neither in hospitals, nor in communities – nowhere could I find even one study that concluded masks available to the public could help prevent the spread of any virus, including this new one.

Vermont last in state funding in $1.9 trillion Recovery bill

Vermont ranks last in projected allocations to states from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act passed by the House of Representatives, according to a March 3 report by Congressional Research Service. The Act now goes to the U.S. Senate, where a tough battle is expected over its inclusion of a national $15 minimum wage and other controversial features.

Trace of UK virus found in Burlington wastewater

Late yesterday afternoon, the City of Burlington received test results from its Covid-19 Wastewater Monitoring Program that detected evidence of two Covid-19 mutations that are associated with the B.1.1.7 variant, which was first detected in the United Kingdom. Though this finding will not be definitive until it is confirmed through genomic sequencing, it indicates that the B.1.1.7 variant is likely now present in Burlington at a low level. The B.1.1.7 variant has been found in 34 U.S. states according to the C.D.C., and has not previously been identified in Vermont.

Scott tests negative for Covid

Governor Phil Scott has tested negative for COVID-19. As his most recent potential exposure occurred at Tuesday’s briefing, in accordance with Vermont Department of Health guidance, he will continue to fulfill his duties while in quarantine and will be tested again on Tuesday, January 26.

Scott, Levine asked: during 2020 pandemic leadership, what would you have done differently?

“It may be a little too early to look back. We’re still looking forward,” Scott said. “At this point in time, we’re doing everything we think is right. There are times we don’t make the right decisions, but we are learning from others. I think we have done a pretty good job here in Vermont, due to Vermonters being compliant and following the guidelines.”

Covid-19 update: No Vermonters on ventilators. School sports postponed. Truancy up. Survivor immunity uncertain. Statewide recovery could take a year

Vermont’s recovery from the pandemic won’t be over when the vaccine arrives next month, Scott cautioned. “This is going to take many many months….it could be up to a year,” Scott said. Levine said the optimists put the recovery date at spring 2021, the pessimists say late summer. “We’ll all have to practice masking and social distancing for a long period of time….into the spring, for sure,” he said.

Vermont impacted by Supreme Court religion ruling?

At his Nov. 27 press conference, Gov. Phil Scott claimed the SCOTUS decision upholds Vermont Covid regulations allowing religious service attendance of up to 50% of building occupancy. He referenced this passage in the ruling: “there are many other less restrictive rules that could be adopted to minimize the risk to those attending religious services. Among other things, the maximum attendance at a religious service could be tied to the size of the church or synagogue.”

Irasburg church, VT Health Department at odds over facts

Friday, the Vermont Health Department issued a press release claiming an attendee had tested positive and urged anyone who had contact with the person to get tested. The press release and subsequent media coverage prompted Pastor George Lawson of the New Hope Bible Church to investigate. He determined that not only was the person not present, but also had been tested three times – each time with negative results.

Covid-19 vaccine protest banner removed from I-89 overpass

A banner raised Sunday morning to protest liability exemption for the Covid-19 vaccine was removed by state workers this afternoon, Jennifer Stella of Health Choice Vermont said. The removal of the banner raised by Health Choice Vermont may be in conflict with a Scott administration policy allowing messaging on state highway property, enacted in June in response to complaints from Black Lives Matter protesters.

Franklin County school district won’t comply with Thanksgiving order

“The Governor’s order, and the subsequent guidance from the Agency of Education, potentially thrust our young children into adult conversations and decisions, which is not appropriate,” Georgia Elementary School principals Julie Conrad and Steve Emery wrote in a Nov. 25 letter to parents. “It also potentially sets up situations where being dishonest could take precedence over our working together to meet every student and family’s individual needs, and that is not a practice that is in keeping with the character we encourage in our students and each other.”

Where’s concern for huge crowd of Biden partiers?

What madness is this that the governor, and now the Burlington Free Press, continues to push the false premise that somehow two Halloween parties, a bowling league, and some anecdotal hypotheticals about deer camps, etc., are to blame, while intentionally ignoring mass gatherings? Surely, if there are any upticks in numbers, it is this event that is squarely to blame.