Covid-19 Roundup: 8 new cases; New travel rules; Distanced graduations

Seniors line up to receive their diplomas during Essex High School graduation at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction on Saturday, June 13, 2020. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger

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The pandemic has made the hallmarks of traditional graduation ceremonies — crowds, hugs, and handshakes — verboten for now. So schools have gotten creative. Winooski High brought a graduation ceremony directly to each senior’s home. Essex mimicked the drive-in movie theaters of yesteryear. Read VTDigger’s story

Vermont’s single use plastic bag prohibition will still go into effect in less than a month. However, fears that reusable bags can act as potential vectors for the coronavirus — which state officials say appear to be largely unfounded — are complicating the transition away from disposable bags. Read VTDigger’s story

Nothing prepared High Mowing Seeds for the rush that happened after governors around the nation started shutting down commerce and other activity to suppress the spread of Covid-19. The Wolcott company saw its largest-ever sales volume on the weekend after Gov. Phil Scott declared a state of emergency on March 13. Read Making it in Vermont

Before Covid-19 hit, 2020 was shaping up to be a momentous year for climate change policy in Vermont. Now, with state officials and lawmakers still sorting out relief and huge budget shortfalls, the path for moving ahead on climate action is unclear. Read VTDigger’s story

After retail giant JCPenney filed for bankruptcy amid the financial fallout from Covid-19, the company announced it would close 154 of its stores nationwide — including one in Berlin and one in Bennington. Read VTDigger’s story