Vermont health officials on Friday recommended that people wear cloth masks in public, even if they don’t have any coronavirus symptoms.
The new protocol comes as the Vermont Department of Health reported 51 new cases of COVID-19, the state’s highest single-day jump in positive cases since the outbreak began on March 7. Vermont now has 359 coronavirus cases; 17 people have died.
Vermont health officials instituted the mask guidelines as the federal government debates issuing similar guidance.
Levine said research on wearing masks in public is “evolving fast like everything else in the coronavirus epidemic.” While experts initially said it would be ineffective for asymptomatic people to wear masks outside, Levine said it’s now clear that COVID-19 carriers can be contagious for up to 48 hours before they show signs of infection.
He added that medical-grade masks, such as N95 masks, should be reserved for health care workers.
“We can’t take our foot off the gas,” Scott said.
So far, these measures appear to be working. Health department data released on Thursday showed that Vermont’s caseload was headed on a “worst-case scenario” trajectory until late March, when Scott issued the stay-home order.
Levine said the state is awaiting federal guidance on what type of fabric facial coverings are most effective. He added that Vermont doesn’t plan to issue specific guidelines as to whether high-risk workers such as grocery store clerks should wear masks on the job. The forthcoming federal policy would likely be a blanket recommendation, Levine said.
As the weather warms up, officials are also asking Vermonters to use caution when recreating outdoors. Agency of Natural Resources Secretary Julie Moore recommended not straying too far — ideally no farther than a backyard but within 10 miles of home — and to practice social distancing, even outdoors.
Moore added that the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation website will maintain a list of open trails, including those maintained by organizations such as the Green Mountain Club.
The City of Burlington has already taken measures to reduce group activities outside. On Thursday, officials announced the closure of dog parks and tennis courts and plans to remove basketball rims. And there are plans implement a “shared streets for social distancing” initiative that would open roadways for bikers and walkers.
The waterfront bike path, which has become overcrowded at times, remains open.
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Absolutely remarkable we did not exhibit such an abundance of caution like this, far and wide, long ago!?!?
And where are we supposed to get face masks if all of the drugstores are sold out of them??
Where are we supposed to get face masks if all of the drugstores are sold out of them
There are tons of people on Facebook who are making them–802 Mask Makers. Better to buy local than on Etsy. Stay safe everyone.
There is a VT Facebook group called 802 Mask Makers. It’s great to support local and stay safe.
Question: do I want to go into a gas station or to any drive up window with a mask on? Banks?
What I want to know is why are they not taking a stance on essential workers needing them? The general population needs to wear them but not the people who are on the front lines? That doesn’t add up to me. It seems employers should ensure the health and safety of its employees.
Gi- as was mentioned there are a lot of mask patterns on line now for people to make the cloth masks.
My wife has made some of the folding type that we sent to facility requesting them and made some others that fit better and are more comfortable. Not the greatest way to do so but the non academic skills that used to be taught or handed down can make these times easier.
Totally agree that people should be wearing them, but how can Vermont REQUIRE that people wear face masks if there aren’t any available? PS — my wife has already made over 50 of them for a local nursing home. Even nursing homes can’t get them, so how can average folks?
CONCERNED, I don’t sew and don’t know anybody that does.. I’m 68 years old so screw it! I’ve lived a long life but we all have to go sometime!!
I guess CDC was wrong about masks. After months of telling Americans “Masks don’t work” now they recommend them. The testing screwup was epic.
CDC lacks credibility now. Who can trust anything they say?
There is currently NO REQUIREMENT to wear a mask, but a RECOMMENDATION. People need to pay attention to what is being said, not what they think they heard. There are 51 new cases out of how many hundreds tested? Would these truly be “New” cases or people that already had it and are now getting tested because the state opened multiple test sites that we didn’t have before. The state reports 359 cases out of thousands that have been tested. I would say Vermonters have done a darn good job containing the virus but I fear that if the state keeps pushing people and tightening their noose people will start pushing back. People do have a breaking point and every turn of the screw makes it tighter and closer to the break point.
GIGRAPE52@GMAIL.COM Unfortunately, with Covid-19, we are all connected. Therefore, even if you think you’ve lived a long life, if you get sick, very sick, you are going to go to the hospital and healthcare workers are going to try to save you, thus putting themselves in harm’s way. Covid-19 doesn’t really allow for us to be individualists at this time. We all need to protect ourselves and others. If you don’t sew, you likely have something in your house like a neck scarf or bandana you can use if you absolutely must go out of the house for essentials like medication or groceries. Otherwise, staying home is the best defense and offense. Hoping you and all of us get to live some more years! Be well.
Vermonters would like to see our officials wearing masks. I want to see Governor Phil Scott wearing one, in a picture. Let’s not be like Donald Trump, telling the “little people” to wear masks, but eschewing them for himself because he’s too important. Vermont officials: put on your masks: at news conferences, out on the street….let’s show the way.