Time for the latest update from the Scott Administration on the state's COVID-19 response. AHS Secretary Mike Smith is scheduled to give remarks, so I think we may hear more about the virus outbreak at the prison in Mississippi where 219 Vermonters serve time. #vtpoli
Phil Scott begins by highlighting the state's new Frontline Employees Hazard Pay Program. It's a first-come-first-served basis and employers apply on behalf of their employees. Applications are open now.
A few details on the program, from the governor's announcement yesterday: "Public safety, public health, health care and human services employers whose employees worked to help mitigate or respond to COVID-19 may apply for hazard pay grant funds for their employees." (cont.)
"Allows covered employers to request funding to provide $1,200 or $2,000 in hazard pay to each employee who meets eligibility criteria...determined by conditions...in Act 136, including the risk of exposure to COVID-19, number of hours worked and employee’s hourly wage." (cont.)
"Grants will be awarded through an online application process and funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until the Program’s $28 million in funding is allocated. When employers who applied are approved, they will receive the award amount."
Secretary Smith speaking now, about the program. Says it opened at 9am today and I think he said there are already more than 100 applications that have been filed.
Eligible employees must have been working with an elevated risk of exposure, Smith says. Except for nursing homes, which have no salary cap, eligible employees have to earn $25 per hour or less.
As pointed out in the governor's remarks, this program does not apply to retail and grocery workers, sanitation workers etc. It's a limited program geared toward those who work in health care or care for people in residential communities.
Health Commissioner Mark Levine now. No update on the prison outbreak after all. But I imagine that will come up in the reporter Q&A.
Dr Levine says his inbox is getting flooded by thoughts/questions about schools reopening and some new medical literature on viral transmission in children.
New data says kids who ARE experiencing symptoms have high levels of the virus present in samples taken from their nose. It's unclear if that means they transmit at the same, lower, or higher levels than adults. "It's hard to know what to conclude from this study," Levine says.
Levine still stands by the health department position that it is safe and urgent to reopen Vermont schools.
Dr. Levine ends by emphasizing that schools are a microcosm of society, so it will be essential to prevent community spread if we want to protect students and staff in our schools.
Governor Scott has asked public safety commissioner Schirling to provide us with an update on the potential for dangerous weather conditions later today with the approach of Hurricane Isaias. Schirling warns Vermonters to be alert to rain, wind, and flash flooding.
First q about why hazard pay program doesn't include other types of workers, like grocery store workers. Scott says the federal CARES Act set strict limits that required the money to be used for the health and care sectors, so other sectors couldn't be included w/ federal funds.
Scott asked about the outbreak in the MS prison. He says prison officials are not doing enough. "In hindsight, I should have seen this coming. But we were relying on CoreCivic," says Scott. He says testing was not done to VT standards. But will be from now on.
Secretary Smith says Vermont protocols will now be put in place by CoreCivic, to include regular testing of the population, every 5 or 6 weeks, not just those who exhibit symptoms. Staff will also be tested, which Smith understands to have already begun.
Smith says VT is also wants the "essentials of medical care, sanitation, and other particulars of the Vermont model instituted" by CoreCivic. (Me here: Why weren't these requirements put in place before this outbreak, when in-state prisons were subject to these "particulars"?)
Q about how VT will ensure that new rules are implemented. Smith says "We may put boots on the ground there." DOC Interim Commissioner Baker told @vermontedition yesterday that he DOES want to see someone from VT in that prison, maybe 2 people. More here: vpr.org/post/i-m-very-…
Secretary Smith says "Yes, I'd like to see a facility here in Vermont" that could eliminate the need to have any Vermont prisoners go out of state. Scott says he did propose building a new prison facility and the legislature rejected it.
Question about mask distribution. From what we learned on Monday's show with the health department, the 200,000 free cloth masks that will be distributed to Vermonters are going to be done through municipalities, which can decide how and where the distribution should be centered.
.@LisaRathke asks if the state has any updated information on pending test results from the MS prison. Commissioner Baker said on @vermontedition yesterday that there were close to 100 tests still pending. Secretary Smith says they hope to get those results later today.
@LisaRathke Lisa asks why the MS prison wasn't required to test VT prisoners according to VT protocol. Smith says it should have happened sooner. But it doesn't sound like the state of VT required it until now and he didn't really answer why VT didn't require or request the change.
Q: How can Vermonters who ARE symptomatic but don't have a regular health care provider get a referral for a test? Greg from the County Courier says a reader experiencing symptoms couldn't get connected to a doctor in a timely manner and without paying $ out of pocket.
Commissioner Levine says it's key that people get connected with health care, especially if they're experiencing symptoms of illness. "They need to follow through appropriately" to ensure they're getting proper health care and advice.
Greg wonders if this essentially negates the statement that Vermonters will not have to pay for a test, because they may have to pay to get health care, even if the test is free. Levine says there are clinics set up to help those who are uninsured or don't have much $.
Greg keeps pushing. Secretary Smith steps in and says that the individual in question can get in touch with his office and he'll help work out this person's issue.
Governor Scott offers a phone number that Vermonters can call and says the state will make sure that Vermonters can get a test without any out of pocket expenses. I missed the number, but I'll get it for you.
.@colin_meyn asks why the state didn't require the MS prison to follow the Vermont protocol for COVID testing and prevention. And if it's fair to accuse CoreCivic of being "slow to implement" the Vermont protocol if VT didn't actually ask them to do so.
@colin_meyn Secretary Smith says it's in the contract that CoreCivic is supposed to implement VT protocol, but that VT should also have been more proactive. Colin asks if CoreCivic should be expected to know when the states it works with have changed protocol without getting a heads up.
@colin_meyn Smith says yes, actually, he does expect CoreCivic to keep up to date with changes from other states, but also Vermont should have reached out. Smith and Scott both say VT should have been more proactive. Some defensiveness creeping into Scott's voice.
Back to that number people can call if they need assistance: governor.vermont.gov/content/munici…
And thanks to @DanvilleVTAD for also sharing it!
And thanks to @DanvilleVTAD for also sharing it!
Steve Merrill asking about how the tests ensure they're picking up COVID-19 and not one of the other coronaviruses. ((There's a dog barking in the background. Wonder what question the dog is trying to ask the administration.))
Levine says the tests have been developed to specifically look for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
.@lseconnors asks the governor about how much he expects to campaign for the general election if he wins the primary. Scott says he'd like to campaign more, but responding to the virus takes precedence.
@lseconnors Liam asks the governor what he thinks his chances are. "I think I have as good a chance" as my competitors, Scott says simply.
Dammit!
.@guympageIII asks about the packets of seeds some Vermonters (and others) appear to have received unsolicited from China. Scott says he's aware of this and looking into it along with Ag Secretary Tebbetts. npr.org/local/305/2020…
Guy asks about school enrollment. Ed Secretary Dan French says we won't actually know how many kids are enrolled in Vermont schools until October.
.@VPRDillon wonders about the state's testing capacity, given how full the pop-up testing sites are. Both Levine and Scott say they're confident the state can still test everyone who needs a test. (This is not the same, obviously, as everyone who wants a test.)
@VPRDillon Levine says there are essentially levels of priority. Highest: those exhibiting symptoms, then those who are at elevated risk--like health care workers. Those who are returning from travel or who think they may have been exposed socially are still a priority, but a lower one.
(Me here: this doesn't quite answer what's at the heart of @VPRDillon's question, which gets at our fundamental testing strategy AND capacity. Are we trying to be a state where anyone can get a test at any time, and can we do that? Or is that not the strategy?)
Governor Scott says if testing supplies stopped coming in right now, we'd have a month or two worth of supplies. But that the supplies ARE still coming in.
@mcquiston going back to the question of testing, and this possibility that people who are symptomatic are facing hurdles to getting tested. Levine says he won't go on the record recommending that someone go to the ED to get treatment, but that's always an option...
@mcquiston Tim references the results of the @vprnet/@VermontPBS poll. Says poll shows Vermonters support the idea of raising revenue. Scott asks for more info about the results. @GovPhilScott: you can find them all here! projects.vpr.org/vpr-vermont-pb… #vtpoli
Lisa Loomis says some families with school kids who are hybrid or remote are forming pods for educating kids, sometimes hiring tutors or teachers. Those who can't form pods/get tutoring may fall behind. How does this comply with the mandate the state has for equitable education?
Ed Secretary Dan French responds that yes, he's concerned. But doesn't really offer a solution.
.@KevinMcCallum7d asking about the situation in Mississippi. I encourage those who want to know more about this to listen to yesterday's interview with DOC Commissioner Baker. We got relatively granular in that interview. vpr.org/post/i-m-very-…
Things are wrapping up. I hope you'll tune in for @vermontedition as we talk about the poll results and dig into questions about fiscal and emotional health.
