VTDigger is posting regular updates on the coronavirus in Vermont on this page. You can also subscribe here for regular email updates on the coronavirus. If you have any questions, thoughts or updates on how Vermont is responding to COVID-19, contact us at coronavirus@vtdigger.org
State and city officials took additional steps Friday to increase compliance with Gov. Phil Scott’s stay-home directive, announcing fines would be issued to individuals and businesses that flagrantly don’t follow the rules. See VTDigger’s story
Gun sales in Vermont appear to have reached a record high in March, when cases of COVID-19 began to mount, according to federal background check data. FBI data shows that the federal government conducted 7,023 background checks in Vermont last month. See VTDigger’s story
Vermont’s health commissioner advised all Vermonters on Friday to wear cloth masks in public. Dr. Mark Levine also announced 51 new cases, but no new deaths, as testing ramps up across the state. See VTDigger’s story
Now that students are learning at home and via video-conferencing, cybersecurity and privacy concerns are particularly important in education, where officials must also contend with federal student privacy laws. See VTDigger’s story
Farmers markets are the very definition of crowds but state officials and farmers markets managers are trying to come up with a way for markets to stay open if they implement social distancing and other public health measures. This would mean no more music and prepared food with more focus on basics. See VTDigger’s story
Other Headlines
Brattleboro Retreat employee presumed positive for coronavirus
DCF moves temporary Woodside facility from St. Albans after escapes
Podcast
On this week’s podcast, VTDigger data reporter Erin Petenko talks about what the state’s projections do and don’t tell us about the trajectory of the virus. Plus, Jan Carney discusses the science behind social distancing. Hear the podcast
Columns & Commentaries
Walters: Health chief sends mixed messages on coronavirus testing
Howard Fairman: Illusions of immortality and invulnerability
Anore Horton: Feeding your family during the COVID-19 outbreak
