Hot Weather Continues

 Gosh, it's hot! I've stayed inside most of the day because of the heat. I don't envy people who have to work outside in this heat. It seems to me the sun is much hotter than it was when I was a kid outside all day long either planting corn in the spring, helping in the hayfield or garden, or wrangling cows. I remember being hot, and I also landed in the hospital at least once with sunstroke, but I don't remember the sun being as hot on my skin as it feels today. I have managed to stay very busy indoors today, with occasional quick trips onto the porch or the back lawn to check out the pond progress. It is coming along just fine. I will have pictures later. Recently I've been preoccupied with our book project, and that takes priority over everything else!

Front Porch Forum had the following post from the Vermont Department of Health, and I thought it would be good to post it here, as well. I think it's sad that we have had to go back to warning people about wearing masks and even what it means to be "in quarantine." Until everyone who is eligible gets vaccinated, we will need to go back to being extra careful, masking and distancing, in order to prevent the spread of the virus and further variants of the disease cropping up. This isn't just about you, it's to keep your loved ones, neighbors, and friends safe. Please read the following and put aside your fears or preconceived attitude that your are somehow "safe" from getting the disease. You may be safe, but you could still be carrying and spreading the disease if you aren't vaccinated. It's so easy - it doesn't hurt, and it's been well established that reactions to the vaccine are very rare in otherwise healthy people. Just do it! Help to end this nightmare so we can all go back to a more normal existence.

Help Keep Communities Healthy and Safe from COVID-19

Vermont Dept. Of Health • Cherry S, Burlington

Announcement

As COVID-19 cases remain high right now, driven by the more contagious Delta variant, we can all do our part to protect one another and keep our communities safe and healthy.

The most important step we can take is to get all eligible family members (age 12 and older) vaccinated. It's free, easy, and safe. And it will reduce the chances of you missing out on school, work and seeing friends. To find a clinic, visit https://www.healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine.

If you do feel sick, or have any symptoms, be sure to stay home to keep illness from spreading. You may also want to get tested for COVID-19. It's best to make an appointment ahead of time to avoid long wait times and make sure you can get a test when you need it. To make an appointment, visit https://www.healthvermont.gov/testing.

If you go to an indoor public space, think about when to wear a mask. A mask helps contain your respiratory droplets and can keep them from reaching other people.

Anyone who is not fully vaccinated should wear a mask indoors. If you are fully vaccinated, consider wearing a mask indoors as an extra layer of protection if:
- you have a weakened immune system or are around someone who does
- you have children who can't be vaccinated, or other unvaccinated people in your household
- you're traveling to a place with higher transmission and lower vaccination rates
- you just feel more comfortable wearing one and want to benefit others by further reducing any risk of transmitting the virus

To learn more about protecting yourself and others from COVID-19, visit https://www.healthvermont.gov/covid-19/protect-yourself-others.

Thank you for doing your part to keep Vermonters safe this fall.

 Anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19 should remain quarantined (no contact with other people) for at least 10 days if they have no symptoms, and longer if they have symptoms. To be sure they can no longer infect others, people who have been severely ill should remain isolated (in quarantine) for 20 days after their symptoms disappear.