Windham County Action Network (WeCAN)

“Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting accordingly.”
Mahatma Gandhi

     We are attempting to go back to a weekly emailing schedule, WeCAN Family, and we are excited to share this week's email and all the ways you can get involved in the struggle for Justice and Equality in America right now. One fantastic way you can stay involved and support your local economy from wherever you are is by stopping by your favorite local bookstore (in the flesh or online) and purchasing a few new books that will fuel your activism this Summer and get you thinking about how we can make this world a little bit better. Brattleboro's favorite activist bookstore, Everyone's Books, has a monthly suggestion list for activists and this month's is nothing short of inspiring. Take a look and grab 2 or 3 for those lazy hammock or river days: https://www.everyonesbks.com/social-justice-june-2020-edition
     In addition, after three years of emails and activism, a proper logo was created for our fantastic group. The new logo is simple and streamlined and we can't wait to share it with you. Ta Da! 

  Lastly, another you way you can stay involved from home is by following our brand new Instagram account at www.instagram.com/windhamcountyactionnetwork and share Justice events, accounts, videos, and images with your followers. You can send your events via DM as well, by 10pm on Friday nights, for inclusion in that week's Weekly Email Update. We can't wait to see what you share with us on social media.

HAPPENING TODAY, SUNDAY, JUNE 21st, 2020

Peaceful Protest and Standing in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter in Wilmington
organized by Deerfield Valley-Black Lives Matter Solidarity
Sunday, June 21st, 2020 at the Pergola across from the Wilmington Police Station (opposite this address: 2 E Main St, Wilmington, VT 05363). 12pm-2pm.
Meet under the pergola across from the police station anytime between 12-2pm to PEACEFULLY stand in solidarity and protest systemic racism! *Rain or shine* please wear masks and respect social distancing. Let’s fill all four corners!!!!

 

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HAPPENING THIS WEEK, MONDAY, JUNE 22nd, 2020-SUNDAY, JUNE 28th 2020

 

Upcoming BLM Solidarity Events In and Around Windham County

 

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Self Accountability Lab
hosted by the Brattleboro Community Justice Center
Monday, June 22nd, 2020 online HERE. 3pm-4:30pm. Email [email protected] if you'd like to work with our ASL interpreters before the event. Sales end on Jun 22 at 3pm. Facilitated by Grace Koch, the Americorps VISTA at the Brattleboro Community Justice Center.
Join the Brattleboro Community Justice Center as we examine how to create practices in our lives that hold us accountable to the people we truly want to be. This is going to be a highly self-reflective lab with lots of prompts to think on, and we highly encourage you to bring something to record your thoughts.
We will be looking at...
*What self accountability is
*How self accountability fits into the work of practicing community accountability, transformative justice, and restorative practices.
*What we are holding ourselves to (values, actions, dismantling various oppressive systems in our minds, bodies, and communities)
*How to practice self accountability
There will be one or two opportunities for discussion in breakout rooms, but we invite you to view this as an opportunity to do the deeply personal work of investigating who you are, who you want to be, and how to hold yourself accountable to the latter in a way that is right for you!
This lab is going to be recorded so that folks can access it and work through it multiple times if they wish. There will also be ASL interpreters on the call, and we invite folks who are deaf to email [email protected] if they'd like to meet with them prior to the event by Wednesday, June 17th. This is part of Community, Accountability, Safety, and Harm (CASH) Labs, a series of "labs" put on by the Brattleboro Community Justice Center that seek to build the skills that folks need to prevent, respond to, and heal from instances of interpersonal harm while addressing the harm's systematic roots.

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Lost River Racial Justice Organizing Meeting
Monday, June 22nd, 2020. Join via Zoom from 6pm to 8pm. Orientation for new people starts at 5:45pm. 
We invite all those who wish to join the local organizing movement for racial justice and organize for change to attend these monthly meetings. Our gathering will focus on connection, healing, organizing, and community support. We will have time to connect in the whole group (multiracial) and in breakout spaces for BIPOCC and Lost River.
The online meeting will be open at 5:45pm for time to get connected and troubleshoot any technology issues, and the meeting agenda will begin at 6:00.
If you're new, to these meetings:
- Please come at 5:45pm for a quick orientation
- Please read our Solidarity Action Steps for White People document and our Lost River Guiding Principles

 

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Putney Food Drop Distribution
Thursday, June 25th, 2020 at Putney Meadows (17 Carol Brown Way, Putney, VT). 9:30am-10:15am.
The Vermont Foodbank will be bringing food to Putney in what is called a "Produce Drop." There will be lots of produce along with other nonperishable food. The Vermont Foodbank truck will park on the side of the road in the big U (Alice Holway Drive). Everyone is welcome. No questions asked! Drivers: Shoppers will stay in their cars until called. Until further notice, shoppers can pick up for no more than two households. Walkers: Stay tuned for instructions. If you have never participated in this before, volunteers will be available to explain how it works!

 

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Proposing a "Green Amendment" to the Vermont Constitution
Friday, June 26th, 2020 via Zoom. 5pm-6:30pm. Register on Zoom at: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUqc-ygpz4vGt3Uor7Brn0Gl4-L35oTkHGj
On Friday, June 26th at 5pm, join the Living Earth Action Group in welcoming Vermont Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman and activist, attorney, author and founder of the Green Amendment movement, Maya van Rossum for a virtual presentation and discussion on environmental rights.
The founder of the Green Amendment movement, a dynamo named Maya van Rossum lives in Pennsylvania, a state that passed a Green Amendment in the 1970s. It was not used until van Rossum, who is the Delaware Riverkeeper, and others activated it to stop fracking. They have been hugely successful!  An amendment, says van Rossum, is much stronger than environmental laws that can easily be changed or ignored by different administrations. Amendments take longer to pass (three years?) but are stable and virtually permanent. 
Learn how you can be a part of the effort in Vermont to protect your inalienable rights to pure water, clean air, a stable climate and healthy environments. Maya will be speaking about her book, The Green Amendment: Securing Our Right to a Health Environment and the growing efforts to secure constitutional level protection of environmental rights for all the people of Vermont.
I hope many of you in VHSC will join this call and learn about a dynamic, growing movement to add a Green Amendment to State Constitutions that will protect our environment. This movement is already happening in eighteen states, including Vermont. You can find out about it at www.forthegenerations.org

Green Amendments For The Generations
Securing a Constitutional Right to Pure Water, Clean Air, a Stable Climate & Healthy Environments, For All People, Including Future Generations, Regardless of Race, Ethnicity, Religion or Income.
The goal of the Green Amendments For The Generations is to advance a Green Amendment movement that sweeps the nation and secures for all people constitutional recognition and protection of their inalienable rights to pure water, clean air, a stable climate  and healthy environments.  We seek to inspire and support pursuit and passage of self-executing, environmental rights amendments in the Bill of Rights section of every state constitution across the U.S. and ultimately at the federal level.  Once accomplished, we will work with communities to ensure their strong and meaningful implementation and enforcement.

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Seeing and Disrupting Racism: A Focus on White Fragility
hosted by Peace & Justice Center
Sunday, June 28th, 2020, online here: https://www.pjcvt.org/event/seeing-disrupting-racism-a-focus-on-white-fragility-2/. Tickets can be purchased here: www.pjcvt.org. 2pm-3:30pm. This workshop was developed for predominantly white audiences, but all are welcome. Space is limited, registration is required. Suggested donation $10, no one turned away for lack of funds. View our sliding scale document on the registration form. Also happening on July 1. For more information, contact: [email protected] or 802-863-2345 x9.
This introductory-level workshop defines racism and white fragility, explores how white fragility perpetuates racism, and gives ways to disrupt that cycle.
Details for the July 1st event can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1358885091169030/

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COMMUNITY PETITION

Prison Should Not Be A Covid-19 Death Sentence: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/prison-should-not-be-a-covid-19-death-sentence/
COVID19 is impacting families all across Vermont and the nation. We have known from the beginning that group living settings are particularly susceptible to rapid infection. We have seen in other countries and states that the outcome of not taking strong preventative measures in prisons is a spike in cases of infection. We have also seen effective examples of precautions being taken 
Join myself, Representatives Mari Cordes, Kevin Christie, Selene Colburn and Brian Cina. House rep candidate, Tanya Vyhovsky, Chittenden County Senate Candidate, Kesha Ram, Barre City Councilor; Teddy Waszazak, Burlington City Councilor; Zoraya Hightower, and other elected officials in demanding health justice for all Vermonters. Please add your name to ask Governor Phil Scott to take preventative and reactive measures to protect Vermont's Prison Population, Corrections Officers and Staff, along with the greater community. Elected officials and candidates will be added as we connect and they respond. Today I ask all of you to join us! https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/prison-should-not-be-a-covid-19-death-sentence/

 

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COMMUNITY SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES

 

Out in the Open Rural QTBIPOC/LGBTQIA+ Mutual Aid Fund
The Mutual Aid Fund is offering requests up to $400 and support for: Groceries, supplies, housing support, medical support, and other thriving and survival needs.
Queer Joy= Mutual Aid
Mutual Aid= Voluntary, reciprocal, participatory support among equals and being with, not for, community members.
Pride= Resistance
We are here for our community, our community is here for each other.
Ask: request funds for support weareoutintheopen.org/mutualaid
Offer: to donate, weareoutintheopen.org/donate
The Mutual Aid Fund will distribute money to LGBTQ+ folks, prioritizing QTBIPOC folks requesting funds. Priority will also be given to folks in Southern Vermont, southwestern New Hampshire, and then elsewhere in Vermont and New England, where funds of this type are critically needed. Additional priority will be given to those who live at the intersections of systematically oppressed experiences & identities.
To request funds and for more information: weareoutintheopen.org/mutualaid!
To donate, visit: weareoutintheopen.org/donate
"We Need Each Other" image credit to @itsmonicatrinidad
[Image Description: Square image background in yellow, at the top of the image there is the BlackLivesMatter pride flag with black text reading "Rural QTBIPOC/LGBTQ+ Mutual Aid Fund" Below text reads "A Pandemic Relief Fund of Out in the Open" below the text image by Monica Trinidad two hands holding each other with the text "We Need Each Other" underneath. Below that text reads, Ask: To request funds, visit: weareoutintheopen.org/mutualaid Offer: To donate text 'FUNDFOLKS' to 44-321.]

 

LGTBQIA+ Resources via Out in the Open

Out in the Open is offering a lot of resources & virtual spaces for rural LGBTQ folks in this time, friends. The full list and calendar is on our website here. We have a Community Care Offers & Asks list, and a list of Rural New England Mutual Aid opportunities, with specific resource links for LGBTQ and QTPOC folks. Out in the Open also has a Slack channel for rural LGBTQ folks to share resources and connect outside of social media. Email [email protected] for more information.

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Are You Sewing Masks? We have patterns and more information here: https://www.wecantogether.net/masks

Masks Needed for Local Schools by August
needed In Brattleboro, Dummerston, Guilford, Putney, Vernon 
Can you sew masks for this need? 
Can you donate cotton fabric or ⅛-¼ in. elastic? 
Can you cut out masks if given material and a pattern? 
Can you donate bandanas? 
Cloth masks will be needed for students and teachers and school staff and bus drivers for the reopening of school (in late August).Hundreds of masks are needed in all sizes, from kindergarten through adult sized. 
If you are capable of sewing masks, here are some samples of mask patterns: 
Rectangular pleated mask, adult and child sizes https://www.deaconess.com/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask/Documents-Mask/Mask-Information 
Contour face mask, several sizes https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O3IvcoVqyYqSTekwzLlnLI0t0GxSm-zA/view 
Keep in mind, please: 
1) Child size masks should have elastic loops, no ties (choking hazard). 
2) All masks should be made of at least 2 layers of fabric. 
3) Masks can be dropped off in marked bins Mon-Fri at any of these locations, and will be distributed to students and staff in the school district: 
Brattleboro: Windham Southeast Supervisory Office, 53 Green Street or Oak Grove School, 15 Moreland Ave 
Dummerston School, 52 Schoolhouse Rd 
Guilford Central School, 374 School Rd 
Putney Central School, 182 Westminster Rd 
Vernon Elementary School, 381 Governor Hunt Rd 
Please email Nurse Julia Duke (Green Street School) with questions: [email protected] or contact Judy Siler if you'd like ready-made kits for sewing or if you need elastic: 802-275-2627, [email protected].
Please share this information widely! Thank you! 

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Online Religious Services

All Souls Church U.U. holds on-line services at 10 a.m. on Sundays and Virtual Vespers at 7 p.m. on Thursdays.
To get the current information on an upcoming service or vespers check the All Souls web page www.ascvt.org.

 

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COVID 19 RESOURCES: VERMONT

Statewide Mutual Aid
organized by Brenda for Vermont
Localized Mutual Aid has been organized in Brattleboro and Putney and hyper local neighborhoods in Marlboro.  If your community does not have mutual aid or you can't find it, please sign up to volunteer or if you are in need of help.  All of us will likely be on the side of being able to help and needing help at times.  Please don't hesitate to ask for help.
Sign up here if you would like to help your neighbors or are in need of help:https://www.brendaforvermont.com/cms/help-your-neighbor/
The links below will take you directly to the mutual aid forms. 
To Volunteer: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfkRnbDKtNX_SacVaHWPyIAnsSXDGLsDMZE8vys25nzTgUo5A/viewform
If You Need Help: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfw7gg12KNq6n4s7SDUxf1ghMx-0MD3S0RCWQtxqmPTJQI8QA/viewform

 

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A Message to Vermonters from Senator Bernie Sanders

As a member of the United States Senate, I want to make sure that the citizens of Vermont receive all of the federal benefits and help to which they are entitled. Although I cannot guarantee a particular outcome, I want you to know that my staff and I will do our best to respond to your concerns.
To contact Senator Sanders with a question, concern or comment please use this link: https://www.sanders.senate.gov/services/casework/.
If you want to contact me about your views and concerns regarding legislation and other issues important to you please use the COMMENTS FORM
If this is an emergency, please call: 802-862-0697 (Out-of-State 800-339-9834).
Note: We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries. As we do our utmost to assist vulnerable Vermonters, please only complete the form above if you are requesting assistance. Go to General Comments to leave comments and opinions.

 

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Social Justice Resources

ROOT SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER MUTUAL AID & SUPPORTIVE NETWORK
The Root Social Justice Center is collecting a list of contacts and resources to help support and assist with the needs of their Root community members. Join if you are in need or are able to help.

 

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COVID 19 INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO WINDHAM COUNTY, VT

 

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Information
https://www.bmhvt.org 802-257-0341
BMH maintains a COVID-19 information page at https://www.bmhvt.org/coronavirus and reminds all who have primary care physicians to check with those providers if they have questions or concerns about their health.

 

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FREE HEALTHY AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD IN WINDHAM COUNTY

Brigid’s Kitchen, St. Michael’s Church, 47 Walnut Street, Brattleboro 802-254-6800 or 802-558-6072 
Grab-and-go lunches and fruit/nuts on Mon, Weds, Thus, and Sat, 11:30am-12:20pm.

Loaves and Fishes, Centre Congregational Church 193 Main Street, Brattleboro (802) 254-4730
Grab-and-go lunches on Tuesdays and Fridays at 12pm.

VT Foodbank and Veggie Van Go will be at Brattleboro Union High School (Fairground Ave, Brattleboro, VT, 05301), in the parking lot, on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, from 10am-2pm. Drive up, touchless pickup. Walkers welcome, too. Call VT 211 for more information. 

Foodworks, the food shelf program of the Groundworks Collaborative https://groundworksvt.org (802) 490-2412, [email protected] 
Households in need of food are asked to call or email to coordinate delivery. There is an urgent need for volunteers, and Foodworks has set up protocols to keep staff, volunteers, and clients as safe as possible. Please email us at [email protected] if you are able to help.

Guilford Food Pantry 
Every Thursday at the BBCC (3940 Guilford Center Road, Guilford, VT, 05301). 5pm-6pm.
We know that supplemental food can make such a big difference in one's budget. That is why we are stocking our shelves for our neighbors. All are welcome to come and take home fresh produce, staples, meat, dairy. Guilford Cares welcomes anyone in need of supplemental food for themselves or their families.

 

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Vermont WIC is Responding to Covid 19
We are moving to phone appointments to align with social distancing efforts. If you have opted in to email and text notifications, you will receive important program updates, including information about local office hours and changes in operations. Our website will be kept up-to-date as well. Contact your local office with any questions about breastfeeding, nutrition or shopping. Call 1-800-649-4357 or email [email protected] with any questions about WIC nutrition services and enrollment.

 

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COVID 19 GENERAL VERMONT INFORMATION

Weekly Summery of Vermont Covid19 Data

NEW: Weekly Summary of Vermont COVID-19 Data is a new feature, where you can see a deeper level of demographic and other detail. You can find out more about testing trends, outbreaks, pre-existing conditions and prevalence of symptoms.

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Information for Those Traveling to Vermont: https://www.healthvermont.gov/response/coronavirus-covid-19/traveling-vermont

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The Path to Restart Vermont

Just a reminder: Covid 19 is still very much prevalent and is not gone, despite the feeling you may get as VT and other states reopen. Please continue to wear masks and gloves when out in public, wash your hands whenever available, bring and use hand sanitizer often if hand washing isn't available, clean commonly used areas like door knobs and counter tops often, and stand at least 6 feet apart, even outdoors. 

NEW THIS WEEK:

Covid 19 Recovery Resource Center: https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19 and https://www.healthvermont.gov/response/coronavirus-covid-19

For more information on:

• COVID-19 health information, guidance and case data, visit www.healthvermont.gov/covid19.
• The Governor’s actions, visit governor.vermont.gov/covid19response.
• The state’s modeling, visit dfr.vermont.gov/about-us/covid-19/modeling.

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Testing

Testing at Popup Locations information can be found HERE. 

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New on Healthvermont.gov: Race and Ethnicity Data

The Health Department is now including data about race and ethnicity on its data dashboard at healthvermont.gov/covid19. We recognized the need to include this information to help us understand how Vermonters were being affected by COVID-19, but in our earlier efforts to respond to the pandemic, race and ethnicity data was not always collected for each patient. Health equity exists when all people have a fair and just opportunity to be healthy – especially those who have experienced socioeconomic disadvantage, historical injustice, and other systemic inequalities. Therefore, our epidemiology team collaborated with Vermont Information Technology Leaders (VITL) to cross-reference medical records to gain more robust race information about COVID-19 cases in Vermont. At the end of March, race was unknown in 73% of cases, but through our joint work, we have brought that number down to just 8%. We have been able to partner with VITL through a state directive issued in response to the State of Emergency. We can use this data to help to prevent the spread of illness, improve care for patients, and present a more complete picture of how COVID-19 may be affecting everyone in Vermont. The Vermont State Health Assessment reports on what we know about the health status of Vermonters. Updated every five years, most recently in 2018, the assessment provides vital data for examining health inequities by race and ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, and geography. See the report and learn more at healthvermont.gov/sha.

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Cloth Face Coverings

The department recommends that all Vermonters wear cloth face coverings when outside of the home, since COVID-19 can spread before a person has any symptoms. Facial coverings are encouraged for essential workers in stores and their customers.

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Volunteering

We still need your help! Please sign up to support the state’s COVID-19 response: https://vermont.gov/volunteer. 

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Guidance for Vermonters

Who to contact:

• If you have questions: Use the Ask A Question tool on healthvermont.gov and review the FAQs.

• For non-health related questions, dial 2-1-1. If you have trouble reaching 2-1-1, dial 1-866-652-4636.

• If you are sick: Stay home and contact your health care provider online or by phone. Do not go to the hospital, except in a life-threatening situation.

Call the Health Department at 802-863-7240. We’re ready to respond to COVID-19 health-related questions. Calls are answered 8am - 6pm, seven days a week. Outside those hours, leave a message and your call will be returned.

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Enjoy the Outdoors Safely

Spring in Vermont is great – so take the proper precautions and go outside. Just be sure to stay close to home, practice social distancing, choose low-risk activities and respect all signs for closed areas  and Covid-19. For more info visit: https://fpr.vermont.gov/COVID-19.

Ticks are Terrible at Social Distancing

As you go safely outdoors, remember that the ticks are starting to come back and are hungry for their spring meal. It’s up to us to stay away from them. Use insect repellent, avoid wooded and brushy areas, and always do a tick check when you get home. Get more tick tips at healthvermont.gov/BeTickSmart.

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VT Health Dashboards

VT Health: https://vcgi.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/6128a0bc9ae14e98a686b635001ef7a7

VT Open Geodata Portal: https://geodata.vermont.gov/search?q=covid

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Are You an Uninsured Vermonter?

To enroll in a qualified health plan, you must sign up during an enrollment period. Due to the COVID-19 emergency, Vermont Health Connect has opened a Special Enrollment Period until June 15, 2020. During this time, any uninsured Vermonter can sign up for a Qualified Health Plan through Vermont Health Connect. Qualified families can also get financial help paying for coverage.. Please call us at 1-855-899-9600 to learn more.

Getting Started

1. Learn about health insurance basics.
2. Try our Plan Comparison Tool to find out if you qualify for financial help, and to see estimates of the total cost of each plan choice. Most Vermonters can either get free or low cost coverage through Medicaid or Dr. Dynasaur, or get help to lower their monthly premium and out-of-pocket costs. 
3. Ready to apply? Set up an online account with Vermont Health Connect and fill out your application there, or call us at 1-855-899-9600 and speak to a customer support representative. If you'd like to talk through health insurance terms or the application process in person, you can meet with a trained, certified in-person Assister near you

 

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RESOURCES FROM THE VT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

For daily Department of Health updates please use this link: https://www.healthvermont.gov/response/infectious-disease/2019-novel-coronavirus

 

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VERMONT ESSENTIAL PERSONS INFORMATION 

Vermont Emergency Management Has Issued This Essential Persons List for Covid-19 Response
It includes staff and providers of childcare and education services, healthcare providers, public health employees, firefighters, first responders, pharmacy staff, grocery workers, and many more. The full list is here: https://vem.vermont.gov/sites/demhs/files/Essential%20Persons_03182020.pdf

 

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WSESU Essential Worker Request for Childcare
According to the state, "Essential Workers" will now be able to get childcare from the public school system. If you are classified as an Essential Worker and have no other adult available to provide childcare while you are at your job, you should complete this form. Once your form is submitted, you will be contacted by school personnel with more information.  
If you have questions, please contact the school counselor where your student is enrolled.

 

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NEIGHBORLY ASSISTANCE PRECAUTION RECOMMENDATIONS

While Vermonters are staying home or choosing activities that maintain social distancing as much as possible to slow the spread of COVID-19, some are stepping up to ensure their neighbors have what they need. This type of community support is crucial, but we need to make sure our helpers and volunteers are still using social distancing practices to protect our most vulnerable Vermonters.
Any volunteers bringing items to those who need to stay home should:

• Keep a distance of six feet away.
• Avoid entering the recipient’s home.
• Wash your hands regularly, avoid touching your face and cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• If you feel sick or learn that you have had contact with someone who is sick, stop doing community support work immediately.
• Keep a list of anyone you come into close contact with in case contact tracing is required.
• Wear clean gloves when handling items that may be given to people with a weaker immune system, and when you are close to someone who may be sick.

Common sense practices can go a long way while Vermonters take care of each other.
Want to help? Consider signing up for the Medical Reserve Corps. Volunteers can be deployed locally in the event of an emergency, support first aid stations at community events, educate the public on preparedness, and assist in promoting various health and wellness activities. You can also reach out to local community groups/organizers like rotary and lion clubs, soup kitchens and check out your neighborhood Front Porch Forum group.
Resources

Fact Sheets: Coronavirus and Emerging Infectious Disease Outbreaks from The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (Vermont Department of Mental Health)
Managing Anxiety and Stress (CDC)
Slide Presentation on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Useful Posters

Social Distancing (smaller version)
Social Distancing (larger version)
Keep Germs from Spreading
Proper Handwashing

 

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RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS

Department of Labor FAQs for Employers and Employees
https://labor.vermont.gov/covid19/covid-19-frequently-asked-questions
Specific Guidance for Employees:
https://labor.vermont.gov/covid19/employees
Employee Assistance (Unemployment Claims):  1-877-214-3332.
Specific guidance for Employers:
https://labor.vermont.gov/covid19/employers
Employer Assistance (Unemployment Claims):  1-877-214-3331.
Vermont’s unemployment rules have been relaxed to be able to help folks. Their phone lines are swamped, so here is a link where you can start the process of applying for Vermont Unemployment Insurance. https://appengine.egov.com/apps/vt/dol/unemploymentinsuranceclaim

 

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MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE

Vermont Support Line from Pathways Vermont (833) 888-2557
The Vermont Support line is a free, anonymous resource for all Vermonters who are looking for someone to talk to. The Support Line is staffed by individuals who acknowledge that they have experienced a broad range of struggles of their own and are willing to be open about them.

 

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National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Covid 19 Information and Resources can be found here:
COVID-19-and-Mental-Illness-NAMI-Releases-Importan/COVID-19-Updated-Guide-1.pdf?lang=en-US.

 

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CDC Tips for Managing Anxiety in the COVID-19 Outbreak
Things you can do to support yourself

• Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
• Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditateexternal icon. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugsexternal icon.
• Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
• Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

 

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IF YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER IS ILL

• Stay home. Many people who are mildly ill can manage their symptoms at home with rest, drinking fluids and taking fever-reducing medicine (Tylenol), when needed. Not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19.
• Call your doctor and ask to be seen for an evaluation. Do not go to the doctor's office unless instructed to do so. Anyone who does not have a health care provider can call 2-1-1 to be connected to a clinic in their area.
• Do not go to or visit any hospitals or long-term care facilities unless absolutely necessary. This is to protect everyone’s health, including patients and staff.
• Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home. As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people and animals in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available. Avoid sharing personal household items.
• Wear a facemask if you are sick around other people and pets.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your sleeve or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day. These include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.

Resources

• Caring for Someone at Home(link is external) (CDC)
• Caring for Yourself at Home (link is external)(CDC)
• Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick(link is external) (CDC)

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RESOURCE FOR WeCAN

Rapid Response Text Alert System

When WeCAN began, Song & Solidarity set up a Rapid Response Text Alert System for WeCAN Groups. Directions for signing up are on WeCAN's website, here: https://www.wecantogether.net/rapid_response. We are grateful to Song and Solidarity for providing this service.

  

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ONGOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING 

Indigo Radio
Sundays at 12pm on Brattleboro Community Radio 107.7FM. To stream live, visit: www.wvew.org 
Indigo Radio, deepening understanding and making connections! IndigoRadio is a group of area educators seeking to learn through engaging with others in our community and throughout the world. We will be talking about educational and social issues both globally and locally and connecting them to our lives and Brattleboro community. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indigoradiowvew/. For archive recordings of past shows: https://soundcloud.com/user-654648353. 

 

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     Until next time, WeCAN readers. Be safe and healthy. We look forward to connecting with you soon. 

 

Joanna and Leslie
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