We are requiring masks be worn in The Health Center by all staff, except in their private offices, by all patients, and by those who come with patients of the medical, dental, and counseling services. This requirement is in contrast to masking policies in other facilities at present.

We all have COVID fatigue and just wish it would go away. But it is surging, not waning: Vermont hospitalizations and positive tests are at new highs and increasing.

The illness is now killing about 1,500 Americans a week. COVID is still, with immunizations having been in use for some three years, about 8 times as lethal as Influenza, with unnecessary deaths, estimated at 40,000 a year, from lack of using Paxlovid when it is diagnosed. Since rapid tests are not reported, health department case counts are substantially lower than the actual number of cases which are occurring.

And COVID, even relatively mild cases, is causing an accumulating number of cases of Long COVID, which can be disabling and has no cure, as yet. This potentially devastating illness is about four times as apt to occur in women, with a peak of unexpected heart attacks in those 25 to 44 years old.

We are a small organization. A couple of cases of COVID in our staff, medical, psych, or dental, substantially reduces our capacity to see patients, while these services are in short supply in our region, as they are nationwide.

So wearing a mask adds protection, albeit imperfect, for one's self and for others. Not wearing one is not an option. Like the "no shirt / no shoes, no service" policies at some stores and restaurants, this is a condition of entry and of having care here. It is a small price to pay to protect others, even if you think you are invulnerable.

This year's COVID vaccinations are available in the medical practice and will be available soon in some Saturday morning clinics open to the general public in our Annex building at the back of the south parking lot.    

John Matthew, MD