Links and resources for reliable information on COVID-19

• VTLIB's new Reputable COVID-19 Vaccine Information site offers links to consumer-level resources and information that librarians can provide patrons with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.
  
• To help Vermonters stay up to date on the latest COVID guidance and information, Governor Scott encourages Vermonters to register for Vermont Alert (VT-ALERT), the State’s emergency notification system.
  
• Governor Scott issued a statement on the FDA Approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine for COVID-19.
• Governor Scott also released a statement on the U.S. Department of Labor decision to end benefits to struggling Vermonters.
• The Vermont Department of Health Covid-19 page. - Includes Vermont specific updates and information, including guidance for individuals, businesses, schools and community groups.
• The World Health Organization Covid-19 page.  - Information on the worldwide situation including statistics, maps, printable signs and recommendations.
• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention Covid-19 page. - Includes information geared toward the U.S., including updated frameworks for mitigation.
• Vermont Department of Libraries Covid-19 page. - A clearinghouse of additional resources, some of them library -specific.
• Vermont Department of Libraries Resource Page - The Department of Libraries has put together a COVID resource page for library patrons.
• COVID-19 Testing Events - Asymptomatic people in Vermont can sign up to receive a test to determine if they have a current infection with COVID-19.
• A group of scientists and experts from UC Boulder, UC San Diego, Penn State, Yale, Drexel and more have co-authored FAQs on Protecting Yourself from COVID-19 Aerosol Transmission. The stated goal of the FAQ: "to provide information to the general public in an efficient manner about how to prevent aerosol transmission of COVID-19, with the hope that this will allow more informed decision making by individuals or organizations."
• The article 25 Stay-At-Home Self-Care Ideas During COVID-19 features some easy-to-follow self-care tips.
• Federal Stimulus Information - compiled by the Vermont Department of Libraries.
• Vermont Legal and Benefits Updates from the Vermont Law School. - Information about changes in your rights around utilities, evictions, court hearings, and more.
• Johns Hopkins Coronavirus page - Up-to-date stats and interactive world maps.

Multilingual Covid 19 Vaccine Info Sessions

There will be a series of community information sessions covering the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. These sessions are designed for Limited English Speaking communities in Vermont. The Dept of Health, UVMMC, and others will be present and available to answer questions. See the schedule below. Note that the organizers are adding 4 sessions in January for 4 additional languages (Kirundi, Spanish, Burmese, and Vietnamese). Those links will be sent out once the sessions are finalized.

Tuesday 12/22 5.30pm to 7pm Congolese (French and Swahili)
Topic: Vaccine Community Education - Congolese Groups
Time: Dec 22, 2020 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83062644840?pwd=a2xFMWhYcnlZS1hBMDFTS00rSzBvUT09

Wednesday 12/23 5.30pm to 7pm Somali/Somali Bantu
Topic: Vaccine Community Education - Somali/Somali Bantu Groups
Time: Dec 23, 2020 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85015185444?pwd=a2tjNVR4ODVMNVk2YkxmZmNrejY3Zz09

Monday 12/28 5.30pm to 7pm Arabic Speaking community
Topic: Vaccine Community Education - Arabic Speaking Groups
Time: Dec 28, 2020 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87499696008?pwd=Y01VNGVQNm8wM2lQMVJicTc1MUFpQT09

Unemployment information and small business support: 

• One in three Vermonters is at risk for food insecurity, struggling to find help to feed their families. If your financial situation has recently changed, you may now qualify for Vermont nutrition and food programs. They include WIC program (Women, Infants and Children), 3SquaresVT/SNAP, and more. Newer programs such as Farmers to Families and Everyone Eats are helping to fill the gaps. All these programs can help keep healthy food on the table. Contact the Health Department, Hunger Free Vermont, or call 2-1-1 for more information.

• CareerOneStop features lots of employment information, and it has added resources specific to COVID-19:
• The Vermont Department of Labor issued an updated Unemployment Insurance Frequently Asked Claimant Questions on April 6, 2020.  Please use and distribute this guide as much as possible. 
  • Vermont specific information on unemployment benefits.
    
  • Information for employers/business owner​
    

How to stay Sane during the pandemic:

• If you need a little stress relief or a little together-time with your staff while being apart, try doing a joint puzzle using Google’s Puzzle Party.
  
• This BlueZones article on 50 Ways to Stay SANE During This Crisis, features a checklist on applying the system of Strong, Active, Neighborly and Energetic (SANE).  
  
• Another Interesting article : Ways to Manage Mental Health During the COVID-19 Outbreak.