From Ruth Hardy, Senator, Addison District

In Addison County, community volunteers have started a neighbor-to-neighbor service, Addison County Mutual Aid, to connect people who can help to people who need help. Visit the website to sign up to help or let them know you need assistance.

Food assistance continues through HOPE and CVOEO food shelves on an outside pick-up basis only. Both organizations are also still accepting donations. Individual school districts have meal and food pick-up and/or delivery services for families - see below for their websites. Hunger Free Vermont also has a good website outlining the status of food assistance programs in the face of the Coronavirus.

Experience Middlebury Website

ExperienceMiddlebury.com is maintaining a list of local restaurants, retailers and service providers and their current status:

Quick List Business Directory

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Tri-Valley Transit Coronavirus Update 
Due to the rapidly changing COVID-19 pandemic, Tri-Valley Transit, (dba ACTR and Stagecoach), would like to offer the following updates to our passengers. 
 
To increase social distancing measures, we are:

• Asking all passengers who can self-transport to do so and not ride the bus
• Asking all passengers who are able to stay home to do so and not ride the bus.
• Asking only nurses, doctors, child care workers, first responders, transit workers, and anyone with no other transportation options to be the only riders.
• Asking all riders to limit shopping bags on the bus to what they can carry themselves 

This is in addition to the other COVID-19 efforts currently in place at TVT, including:

• Following all CDC protocols to ensure buses are sanitized
• Operating fare free to reduce social interactions
• Directing passengers and drivers to practice safe hygiene 

For more information about Tri-Valley Transit services in Addison County (ACTR) and Orange and Northern Windsor Counties (Stagecoach), please visit our websites at  www.actr-vt.org and www.stagecoach-rides.org or call us at 802-388-2287 (Addison) and 802-728-3773 (Orange/N. Windsor).

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Latest State and Federal Coronavirus 
Updates and Guidance

Vermont Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Coronavirus situation in Vermont continues to develop.  ACCT performs an important community function as the houser for over a thousand of our friends and neighbors in Addison County.  In order to help keep our staff, residents, and community safe and able to continue working, we are closing our main office at 272 Main St in Vergennes to the public, except by appointment, until further notice.

Please use our mail slot if you need to drop off paperwork, payment or an application.

To make an appointment to:

• Meet with Chris Ouellette, Please call 802-877-2626 ext. 107 or email [email protected]
• Meet with Gordon Dobson, please call 802-877-2626 ext. 106 or email at [email protected]
• Meet with Jeff Wedweldt, Please call 802-877-2626 ext. 104 or email at [email protected]
• Questions about your application – Please call 802-877-2626 ext. 109 or email [email protected]
  

Thank you for your understanding during this time.

ACCT is continuing to monitor the public health guidance regarding Coronavirus.  As you probably are aware, as of today two cases have been identified in Vermont.  While our offices currently remain open, we are asking visitors to observe the following protocol:

If you answer YES to any of these questions, please contact your doctor and DO NOT ENTER.  If you need assistance, call us at 877-2626 or email at [email protected].
 
In the past 14 days…

• Have you had contact with a person who is infected with novel coronavirus/COVID-19?
• Have been in China, Italy, South Korea, Iran or Japan or in any area
  where cases of novel coronavirus/COVID-19 have been reported?
• Have you had contact with anyone who has been to any of these areas in the past 14 days?
• Have you been to a health-care clinic, hospital or other facility where people infected with novel coronavirus/COVID-19 are treated?

 
In the past few days…

• Have you had a cough, fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing?

If you answer YES to any of these questions, please contact your doctor and DO NOT ENTER.  If you need assistance, call us at 877-2626 or email at [email protected].

All visitors to ACCT offices and properties should observe the practices recommended by the Vermont Department of Health:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Refer to the Vermont Department of Health website for updated guidance and further information.  If you have questions about COVID-19: Dial 2-1-1

Did you know that nearly a quarter of adults over 65 are considered socially isolated?  Social isolation can increase the risk of developing a variety of negative health issues, including heart problems, dementia, and even premature death.

A new report from the National Academies documents the negative consequences of social isolation in older adults and recommends ways for the healthcare system to address loneliness and its effects.  The report notes that "Health care professionals also need to learn how to work with community partners to develop, implement, and evaluate programs for preventing or mitigating social isolation and loneliness in older adults."

SASH is one such community-based program that works with the healthcare system and directly combats social isolation for seniors through one-on-one outreach, group programming, and myriad other small ways that can make a big difference, like help arranging a ride.  ACCT's SASH program at Armory Lane not only provides on-site opportunities for social engagement such as twice-weekly senior meals, group bone builders classes, and more, the SASH Coordinator also meets with residents and community participants in their homes, just to check in on how people are doing.  A simple conversation can have a positive effect on how connected someone feels to their community, and this in turn can lead to better health. SASH is a great example of how ACCT is committed to resident success, because we know that home is more than just four walls and a roof.