Vermonters have adapted valiantly to the “new normal” as the COVID-19 pandemic intensifies across our country. Our state is under a stay-at-home order from the governor, and schools and all nonessential businesses have closed — but that hasn’t stopped community members from finding ways to help others and stay positive. Vermonters are staying connected through Facebook pages that spread joy, the Bang-n-Clang nightly parade in Vergennes, and musicians posting performances online.
Eva talked to Vermonters via FaceTime and Skype about the ways they’ve stepped up — people like Elliott Katz at Generator, who is leading a team of staff and volunteers as they use 3D printers to make face shields for the University of Vermont Medical Center. Last Friday, they made their first delivery of 50; they’re also providing the UVM Medical Center with intubation boxes. She also spoke to Nora Swan, a milliner in Ripton who is making masks (here is a tutorial); Matt Beer, owner of New Moon Café in Burlington, who is donating meals to local organizations; Annemieke McLane, a pianist in Sharon who is sharing her music online; Chris Moldovan from Age Well about their Meals on Wheels program; and Vergennes Mayor Jeff Fritz, who is helping to organize the town’s nightly parade and a Meals for All program with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Vergennes.
Eva also includes videos and photos from across our state — of puppets coping with anxiety, of being #stuckathome in a tiny house, and of a love song for the town of Johnson that shows the #VermontStrong spirit in action. With neighbors like these, we’ve got a fighting chance. Stay home if you can, and take care, everyone.
Music: Claude Debussy, “Clair de Lune” performed by Annemieke McLane
Unicorn Heads, “Beginnings” & “You Are My Rainbow”
Jacob Tischler, “Vt Grizzle”
Isaac, Hero & Aria Eddy, “Long Song for Johnson”
Shooting date: 4/7/20
This episode of Stuck in Vermont was supported by
New England Federal Credit Union
This article appears in Money Issue.
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