More Vermonters back to work, and new COVID-19 cases down

MONTPELIER- Gov. Phil Scott opened the economic "spigot" a little more today, allowing more Vermonters to return to work. "Building on last week's order, we'll allow small crews of five or less to perform outside work or work in unoccupied structures," Gov. Scott said.  "We'll also allow manufacturing and distribution operations to open with a maximum of five employees if they have the space to keep those workers at least six feet apart at all times."
The latest addendum to Gov. Scott's emergency pandemic order also allows in-person sales at outdoor retail businesses such as garden supply stores or nurseries.  "But with no more than 10 people on site at any one time, including customers and staff," he said. Last week, Gov. Scott said the Vermont Agency of Agriculture was developing guidelines allowing farmers markets to open on May 1.  This week, he clarified that, although they would open, it would be business as usual.  "I've asked that (the agency of agriculture's) guidance focus on food distribution, not social gathering," he said. 
Gov. Scott said all businesses in operation, including the ones that have been open under his previous orders, must continue to operate with the minimum number of employees and follow the administration's health and safety guidelines "including keeping employees and customers six feet apart, requiring frequent hand washing and disinfection of surfaces, requiring the wearing of face masks, and requiring employees to stay home if they're sick or have symptoms.  It's these kinds of steps that are going to help us slowly turn the spigot in a way that will help prevent outbreaks."
According to Gov Scott, and underscored by the latest modeling data presented by Department of Financial Regulation Commissioner Michael Pieciak, Vermonters adherence to social distancing and isolation guidelines have "flattened the curve" and made it possible to begin restarting the economy.  "Because of the measures we've put into place, and because we've been so dedicated to following them, the data shows we can allow a few more people back to work," he said.  "We can open the spigot a bit more to get more in line with our neighbor states."
Pieciak presented the latest modeling data the state is using to forecast the impact of COVID-19.  "Overall, the news continues to be good," Pieciak said. "Vermont's actual experience continues to trend better than even our best case forecast.  Last week, we announced that we had reached the peak of new confirmed cases.  This week, the data indicates we have likely reached peak demand on hospital resources as well.  And in the near future, we anticipate reaching the peak of Vermonters with the active virus, a very important indicator."
Pieciak presented the data in several slides, including a slide that compared the movements of Vermonters since over March and April.  The graphs indicated the Vermonters followed the stay at home order even more closely than those in Maine and New Hampshire.  "This is why we are continuing to see better than expected trends," Pieciak said.  "The data is clear, and the conclusions leave no room for doubt.  We have also stated all along that social distancing is the most important thing Vermonters can do, and it's clear that our sacrifices together are helping us to defeat the virus and save lives."
Pieciak also said the growth of new cases of COVID-19 have dropped dramatically.  "Over the last week, our three-day growth rate fell to less than 1%, down from 2% last week, and 9% the week before that," he said.  "Now we expect the number of cases to double in 37 days, compared to 27 last week.  In late March, Vermonters were able to stop the virus in its tracks, and that's great news for Vermont."
A slide depicting the forecast over time indicated that the trajectory of the pandemic in Vermont was better that the best case predictions at the beginning of the pandemic. 
Congressman Peter Welch joined the press conference by phone.  He acknowledged that the federal government's role was to support Americans with economic assistance.  "The state has to take on the responsibility to lead on the measures that are required to keep Vermonters safe and healthy," Welch said, thanking Gov. Scott and his administration for stepping up to the role.  "The federal role is really important as well, and that is to get us through this economic crisis.  The effect of social distancing is to shut down business for quite some time.  We have to do it but its not without consequences.  I've been pleased that there has been strong bipartisan support for economic assistance."
Welch said the House passed an additional economic support bill on Thursday, which would add $370 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program, a loan program that is administered by the Small Business Administration.  The program was initially funded with $350 billion in the CARES Act, but the funding ran dry after just 13 days.  Controversially, some larger companies and even hedge funds were able to obtain loans under the program.  Loan proceeds used for payroll and certain other expenses can be forgiven under the program. 
"The PPP was very popular in Vermont," Welch said, "with about 7,000 businesses successfully getting loans.  At about $1 billion in loans, Vermont was the third highest per capita in utilizing that.'
Welch said that Vermont businesses that filed applications after the funds ran out should be able to get the loans now, thanks to the additional funding,  He also noted that farms were eligible for the loans.  "Vermont dairy farms are on the ropes," he said, "and these programs do apply to our dairy farms."
The entire package is $480 billion, he said, and included money for the  Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, funding for hospitals, and $25 billion for coronavirus testing, which he said was crucial to the country's ongoing efforts to suppress outbreaks after the pandemic.  "This $25 billion is acknowledgment of the importance of testing."