Mountain Times - Vol. 50, Number 2, Jan. 13-19, 2021

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Wi-Fi not working? 8 • STATE NEWS The Mountain Times • Jan. 13-19, 2021 Let the Wi-Fi specialists help! Wi-Fi not working? Wi-Fi Let the Wi-Fi not specialists working? help! Let the Wi-Fi specialists help! Experts in Managed Wi-Fi Wi-Fi Let the Wi-Fi not specialists working? help! Wi-Fi not working? Wi-Fi not working? Let Building the Wi-Fi Video specialists Security help! Experts Let the Wi-Fi in Managed specialists Wi-Fi help! Let Experts the Wi-Fi in Managed specialists Wi-Fi help! Experts Access in Control Managed Systems Wi-Fi Building Video Security Experts Building in Video Managed Security Wi-Fi Point-To-Point Building Experts Video Managed Wireless Security Wi-Fi Access Control Systems Experts Access Building in Control Video Managed Security Systems Wi-Fi Building Video Security Access Enterprise Control Data Systems Backup Point-To-Point Wireless Point-To-Point Building Access Control Video Systems Wireless Security Point-To-Point Server/Workstation Wireless Enterprise Data Backup Access Enterprise Installation Point-To-Point Control Data & Wireless Support Systems Backup Enterprise Data Backup Enterprise Point-To-Point Enterprise Server/Workstation Data Backup Virtual Server/Workstation Private Data Networks Wireless Backup Installation & Support Installation Server/Workstation Support Server/Workstation Enterprise Installation Data Backup Server/Workstation Installation & Support Support Virtual Private Networks Virtual Installation Private & Networks Support Virtual Server/Workstation Private Networks Virtual Installation Private & Networks Support Need Immediate Technical Support? 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Technical Need Immediate Support? 802-236-2194 IT Technical 802-236-2194 that just Support? works Need Immediate Technical 802-236-2194 ~ Business & Residential Support? ~ IT that just works IT IT 802-236-2194 that that just just works works ~ Business & Residential ~ IT that just works IT that just works ~ Business & Residential ~ Business Residential ~ Business & Residential ~ IT that just works ~ Business & Residential ~ ~ Business & Residential ~ NORTHSHIRE NETWORKS NORTHSHIRE NETWORKS 802-236-2194 802-236-2194 mark@northshirenetworks.com mark@northshirenetworks.com NORTHSHIRE northshirenetworks.com NORTHSHIRE NETWORKS NETWORKS NORTHSHIRE 802-236-2194 802-236-2194 NETWORKS mark@northshirenetworks.com mark@northshirenetworks.com 802-236-2194 State predicts average daily Covid case count to double by end of month By Polly Mikula As the contagious effect that the Christmas and New Year's holidays have had on the spread of Covid-19 in Vermont becomes better known, the state's prognosis for the coming month worsens. Just last week the plateau in cases was predicted to max out at around 200 cases per day — now it's 300. That's double the current average. To put the increased risk in perspective Commissioner Michael Pieciak noted that Vermont had 871 new cases over five months (May-Sept.) and now in just the past five days (Jan. 7-11), the state has gained 888 new cases. Yet Vermont is still the safest state in the union with just 1 in 70 having been infected, according to the New York Times, Jan. 11. Across the USA the raito is 1 in 15. Rutland and Windsor counties fare even better with 1 in 101 and 1 in 95, respectively. Winter sports: Some low/no contact sports can practice but no competitions leave athletes in limbo > from page 1 at Rutland, said the lack of stunting “makes us look more like a gymnastics team, which is upsetting. It takes away the main part of cheerleading.” Still, Austin said practicing gives her the chance to see teammates she hasn’t seen this year. “You get into a routine instead of being at home all the time,” Austin said. Gauvin still expects the team to be successful by focusing on tumbling routines. She said she plans to use recorded cheers in music. “Every team is going to have their struggles,” Gauvin said. This will be the second year in a row Covid-19 has impacted winter sports. Kim Peters, the superintendent of the Rutland Recreation and Parks Dept., said the pandemic has made it difficult to plan sports schedules. She’s navigated unusual scheduling only to have her plans canceled three times since the pandemic started. Basketball clinics at Rutland Rec had a brief start this season before the governor announced all winter sports practices needed to stop a week later. Basketball clinics resumed last week. “There are so many unknowns,” Peters said. Peters said she was disappointed by the governor’s announcement not to sanction wrestling. Last year, Ruland Rec’s youth wrestling team made it to its first tournament in Springfield before it was shut down. “It was extremely disappointing for kids,” Peters said. “Wrestling is not an expensive sport, it’s great for kids that John Hopkins University Data & Oliver Wyman Forecast Model, Jan. 11, courtesy of the Vt. Dept of Health don’t fit into a team.” Rutland Rec has 60 students in grades K-4 who participate in the wrestling program. Peters hoped the program would feed high school programs, which have seen a decline in athletes. “We were working toward that,” Peters said. “It’s a huge bummer. You look around at other states and they are allowing wrestling.” Peters said Rutland Rec may offer summer wrestling programs. “We’re hesitant about offering too much right now,” Peters said. “Right now, the athletes — both youth and high school — we’re just waiting. It’s such a waiting game.” Sam Worthing, a senior at Fair Haven Union High School, who won the 132-pound wrestling state championship last year, was disappointed not to be able to practice his sport his last year of high school. “Wrestling is a very high-contact sport,” Worthing acknowledged. “But I believe there should at least be practices.” Fair Haven wrestling coach Scott Shaddock said he’s sending his athletes videos to keep them active with online instruction. “I’m not happy about it at all,” Shaddock said of the orders. Shaddock also mentioned that wrestling teams were practicing in “A two-time state champion is better than a one-time state champion,” Shaddock said. nearby states. Shaddock noted Worthing specifically and was concerned how he’d be recruited to colleges without the potential of earning a second state title this year. “A two-time state champion is better than a one-time state champion,” Shadduck said. Like other teams, Shaddock’s unsure what the rest of the season will look like. “The biggest problem we’re having is lack of communication,” he said. Shaddock said wrestling is low contact compared to other sports, which can have multiple people in a field or on a court. “When you get on the mat, it’s you and one other person,” he said. Shaddock said he might petition to hold wrestling in the spring. “We’re just hoping this doesn’t hurt our sport,” he said. Rutland High School Athletic Director Mike Norman said he’s used to the changes. “We’ve been at this for a while, everyday is a new day,” he said. Norman, who also coaches football, said the pandemic has made him reflect on the fundamentals of sports and the reasons to participate simply for love of the game. “Having something is better than nothing,” Norman said. “I think [students] are just happy to practice with their friends.”
The Mountain Times • Jan. 13-19, 2021 STATE NEWS • 9 PPP reopened Jan. 11 The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced Jan. 8 that the Paycheck Protection Program will re-open the week of Jan. 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, Jan. 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, Jan. 13. The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter. Updated PPP guidance outlining program changes to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility was released on Jan. 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard- Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act. This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. Submitted Ski patrols are among the first to get vaccinated along with other health workers. > Patrol: Vermont has prioritized ski patrol in vaccine distribution from page 1 Some residents have accused the state of using a limited vaccine supply to keep ski resorts open and economically viable rather than prioritizing public safety. The National Education Association Vermont Champter issued a statement Friday morning detailing its frustrations, saying: “The state’s largest union is seeking clarity about the state’s vaccination priorities now that members of ski patrols are being vaccinated ahead of in-school educators and other front-line workers." The state maintains the choice to include patrols does, in fact, prioritize public safety. “They still fit the category of being a first responder who’s directly in contact with a human being who is often in a vulnerable situation, and for a long time, because of the nature of the work they do,” said Mark Levine, commissioner of the Vermont Dept. of Health. Many in charge of distributing vaccines agree that, given the fact that mountains are open, it’s important for patrollers who have extended contact with patients to be protected. Hospital representatives also say many ski patrols also serve with emergency medical services (EMS), and that their top priority rests RRMC has been vaccinating ski patrollers from Killington. mainly with vaccinating as many qualified people as possible with the available supply. Gerianne Smart, spokesperson with Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC), said the hospital has been vaccinating ski patrollers from Killington. “We have vaccinated them because they deal with patients and people who are injured,” she said. “These are people, a lot of times, from out of state, and then they would end up coming to the hospital. So there’s a lot involved.” Killington Fire and Rescue Chief Gary Roth confirmed that EMS workers in Killington have already been vaccinated, and Rutland City Police Chief Brian Kilcullen said the department is now working with the state to organize vaccinations for officers. “Just yesterday, we received notice that first responders who have some responsibility in caring for or transporting those who require medical attention are in the mix for the vaccination,” Kilcullen said. “We’re in the process of compiling our roster to send it to the state.” Kilcullen, a member of the National Ski Patrol, said he understands why patrols fit under the definition of health care workers, and also understands why police officers should get the vaccine because of their contact with the community, including patients. “Ski patrol are called to respond to assist with the care or transport of injured persons, as are police officers,” he said. “I see the merits for both groups.” Updated vaccine prioritization On Tuesday, Jan. 5, the Vaccine Implementation Advisory Committee released its updated guidance on who will be prioritized for a vaccine, adding details to the plan previously outlined by the Dept. of Health. More details will be provided Friday, Jan. 18. Under the plan, the state will prioritize Vermonters age 75 or older, followed by people age 65-74, and residents age 40-64 with underlying health conditions. Next in line will be frontline essential workers — the employees in regular contact with the public who are unable to work remotely or to social distance. In the third group, the state will prioritize people of color, and people with limited English proficiency, as well as other frontline workers, high-risk Vermonters between age 16 and 39 and residents and staff in group homes. The vaccine advisory group noted that the guidance is not binding and will require flexibility as the number of doses shift and scientific research advances. “This is the largest vaccine effort ever undertaken,” the group wrote. USDA Rural Development is now accepting applications for 2021 Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Applications due March 31, 2021 USDA Rural Development (RD) is seeking applications for the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP). Applications are accepted on a quarterly basis, with the next deadline being the close of business on March 31, 2021. State information on the program and application materials are available at rd.usda.gov. The RMAP program provides loans and grants to microenterprise development organizations (MDOs) through Open for the Season Every Day 9:30am-5pm for Injuries Only 3902 Killington Road (next to the Rams Head Base Lodge) Killington Medical Clinic operates as an URGENT CARE CENTER. Our physicians have extensive experience in the effective treatment of ski and snowboard injuries. We have an on-site X-ray suite and casting room to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of common injuries. NO COVID-19 Testing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund, providing training, technical assistance and capital to micro-entrepreneurs. Eligible RMAP applicants include nonprofits and institutions of higher education, with ultimate funding offered to small businesses with fewer than 10 employees. For more information on the RMAP program or to submit an application, please contact Susan Poland at Susan. Poland@usda.gov, 802-828-6002 If you are ill and would like to be seen, please call 802.422.6125 to be triaged over the phone Hours subject to change – check www.killingtonmedicalclinic.org for updates For EMERGENCIES and AFTER HOURS CARE, Go To: Rutland Regional Medical Center, 160 Allen St, Rutland, VT | 802.775.7111
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Mountain Times - Vol. 50, Number 2, Jan. 13-19, 2021

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