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Our cases are growing, leading to some big steps to slow the spread. Each step addresses areas that our data tells us are driving the spike: mostly adults from multiple households gathering with friends, usually involving alcohol/food with little to no masking and distancing. 1/
So, in addition to requiring quarantine for all non-essential travel, we had to ban multi-household gatherings. I know this is difficult & frustrating, especially with the holidays right around the corner, but it’s necessary & we need your help to get this back under control. 2/
Since we made this announcement, we’ve gotten questions/concerns from some who believe there's inconsistency in our approach and from some who would prefer we shut down restaurants or schools, or close businesses like gyms and salons but not restrict private social gatherings. 3/
Let’s talk about consistency: The steps we took were based on data from our contact tracers. From the beginning, we have consistently used data and science to guide our decisions. 4/
I understand it may seem counter-intuitive that restaurants are open, yet you can’t have neighbors over for dinner. But from Oct. 1 to Nov. 13, 71% of outbreaks were linked to social events, not restaurants or gyms. This tells us the protocols at these businesses are working. 5/
We’ve got to prioritize need over want. In-person education, protecting our healthcare system and keeping people working safely are things we need. Parties, cookouts and hanging out with people may be fun but they’re wants not needs. And they put a lot of people at risk. 6/
To the skeptics: If you want to ignore or choose not to believe the science, there’s not much we can do to stop you. But the number of people in hospitals is growing because some care more about what they want to do rather than what they need to do to help protect others. 7/
The consequences of an overwhelmed healthcare system will have a far greater impact on our economy and welfare than all the prevention and mitigation measures. The skeptics are right, they can do what they want. But please don’t call it patriotic or pretend it’s about freedom. 8/
Real patriots serve and sacrifice for all, whether they agree with them or not. Patriots stand up and fight when our nation’s health and security is threatened, and right now, our country and way of life are being attacked by this virus, not the protections we put in place. 9/
I know it's hard to keep sacrificing. I hear the anger, frustration, anxiety, sadness. If you need to take it out on someone, send it my way- I can take it. But what I can’t take is this continued growth that's putting our healthcare system, economy and many lives at risk. 10/
By Friday, we’ll provide more clarity on social gatherings to help folks understand what we need from them. Vermont should know that we’re stepping up at the state level as well because this is not all on your shoulders. 11/
We’re expanding our testing and tracing capacity to make testing more available. We’re opening 5 testing centers this week that will operate 7 days a week so two-thirds of Vermonters will be within a 30-minute drive of a testing site. And we'll continue to build on this. 12/
We’ve also started offering testing for all teachers/school staff, testing ~1,700 yesterday & continuing throughout the week. And we now have 40 full time contact tracing staff & we're adding ~20 @VTNationalGuard members & 10 Dept. of Public Safety staff in the next 2 weeks. 13/
Even during these tough times, we continue to see progress and good news about vaccines. As Dr. Fauci said recently, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. And we know we can change our trajectory when we all pull in the same direction because we’ve done it before. 14/
