State schools closed in response to COVID-19 pandemic

In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Vermont Governor Phil Scott has directed that all state schools close no later than Wednesday, March 18. The schools will remain closed at least through April 6, according to a press release.

Update, March 26, 2020: The governor has directed schools in the state to remain closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year, according to a press release.

Scott called for local school districts to plan for the food and special needs services of children, for childcare requirements of healthcare workers and others essential to the state response to the crisis and for the continuation of student education during the dismissal period. This last priority is to include the assignment of trackable work for students to do at home and the creation of a remote learning plan in case the closure must continue past April 6.

The governor's March 15 announcement stated that no students in the state would be required to be in school on Monday or Tuesday, March 16-17, if their parents or guardians would prefer to keep them at home.

"The orderly dismissal of schools is essential to support both the state's response to COVID-19 and the needs of children and families in Vermont," the governor said. "We must ensure children are safe, nourished and still learning even as the traditional structure of the school is disrupted."

Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union, which oversees the schools of the Otter Valley Unified Union in Whiting, Sudbury, Leicester, Brandon, Pittsford and Goshen, responded to the governor's directive by notifying district parents in a March 15 letter signed by Superintendent Jeanne Collins.

The school district stated that its buildings would be closed to students after Tuesday, March 17. Teachers and paras have been assigned to spend the remainder of the week preparing assignments for students to complete at home.

The district is planning to deliver meals to any student/household requesting the service. It intends to deliver bagged breakfast/lunch to homes using buses. The buses may also be tasked with delivery of school lesson materials.

The Addison Central School District, including Middlebury schools, released a March 15 letter confirming that students would be dismissed at the end of the day Tuesday, March 17. The district pledged additional communication with parents on matters relating to continuing educational services and providing food and learning support.

COVID-19 in Vermont

The State of Vermont has a dozen COVID-19 cases, according to a March 16 report by the Seven Days newspaper. Three of the most recent four cases do not appear to be related to travel by the affected individuals. That indicates that "community transmission" from one person to another is occurring within the state.

The U.S. Centers for DIsease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that COVID-19 is a global pandemic. At last count, more than 6,500 people around the world have died from the virus. As of midday, March 16, there were at least 3,910 cases within the United States. Though the U.S. is still in the early stages of an outbreak, seventy Americans already have died. West Virginia is the only state without a reported case. (West Virginia's coloring in the CDC map below appears to be an error.)

According to a press release by Vermont Commissioner of Health Mark Levine, M.D., symptoms of a COVID-19 infection include fever, cough, fatigue and shortness of breath. Most people affected by the virus - classified as the SARS-CoV-2 virus - will have mild symptoms. About 15 to 20 percent of patients will experience severe illness. Older people and those with existing health problems, including lung disease, heart disease and diabetes, are particularly at risk.

Not a roll in sight.
(Middlebury Hannaford)

 Dr. Levine urged those who experience mild symptoms to remain home and contact their healthcare provider for guidance. Patients with more severe symptoms and patients who have mild symptoms but also belong to high-risk groups should contact a physician as quickly as possible.

The possible transmission of the virus from one person (who may or may not have symptoms) to another person has caused the cancellation of numerous gatherings and popular sporting events, as well as the closures of colleges (see Middlebury College article), schools, museums and other establishments. On Monday, March 16, Governor Scott issued an executive order banning large nonessential gatherings. Gatherings are limited to no more than fifty people or fifty percent of an establishment's occupancy, whichever is less. The states of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey also have banned groups of more than fifty people. Rhode Island has banned groups of more than twenty-five.

Around the country, retail stores are experiencing panic buying and hoarding of various food items and supplies. Stores in the Whiting area have bare shelves where hand sanitizer, cleaning products and toilet paper were formerly found. Certain food items, including pasta and some frozen items, are in short supply.