The Walpole Clarion

Can you believe March is blowing in this coming week? And, with that, your hardcopy of the March CLARION will be in the mail Friday and in your hands then or on Saturday. But, now you can read the 20 page March issue on-line now. It is Town Meeting time, so there is information on Warrant Articles and Candidates that you need to know about. Also, some nice recycling data, information on my Keene COVID shot experience, and some “fun read” articles.

So, click on this link — https://thewalpoleclarion.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/clarion-march21-topress.pdf — or on the image below, and please enjoy.

Deadline for the April issue is 23 March – “no fooling.” Stay safe and stay well, yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

I got my first COVID shot this week, and in sharing the experience with others I wrote the following piece which will be in the March issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION. But, that is a week away, so I am sharing my article with you now so you know what to expect. Stay safe and stay well, yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

Shot in Keene — In the Arm

On January 22, the email arrived that I could schedule my COVID shot through the CDC VAMS system. That initial email looked like a “phishing email,” so I ignored it, but then a friend emailed with a question. It was real, I went back and was able to schedule my first shot on February 17. I did act quickly. My shot date was way before others I know.

Neighbors wanted to know if the Keene shots would be given in cars, or if walking was involved. I promised to provide a report, and one neighbor replied, “Always good to know what to expect.” I always feel that way. Thus, so you know what to expect, here is what happened.

The night before my scheduled appointment, a VAMS email arrived with a questionnaire to be completed to save time in line. Basically “are you currently well,” but that link on the email can be hard to recognize. The Keene State Owl Athletic Complex at 110 Krif Road for your shot is easy to find. Entering the drive you become part of a single line queue of cars. My overall time on site was about an hour and a half. The time seemed to fly, but you may wish to bring a book. At the end I started watching YouTube instructional videos. Check in was along the drive by National Guard members. Even though I had my form printed out, all they wanted was my driver’s license to check in. Then you are routed around to the parking area, carefully directed, with three cars in a row bumper to bumper. A team, in time, arrives, and you receive your shot.

The two nurses administered my shot and then gave me a “I got my shot” sticker, but most important a card with the date, shot batch number, and return date, but no time. I asked about the time, and was led to believe I had to go back into the system to schedule it. Confusing, but I asked several times in different ways. You are told you may leave in 15 minutes if you feel fine, and no one will tell you when. While sitting there another lady came up with an iPad asking to see my card. “Let me get you a time,” she said. But the time slots for the day I was given were filled up. She got me a time for the next day, and when I got home a VAMS email was waiting for me confirming my second shot date and time.

Later phoning with a friend who got her shot the same morning, although an equally good experience, she got a date only, not a time slot. Later at night her VAMS email said to go back on line to schedule a time. Finally, again working through the system, she got a time, but a day after the date originally given.  

We both thought that a new State system would be moving New Hampshire residents off the CDC system. I emailed Representative Lucy Weber, and she confirmed on February 18, “As far as I know, to date there is no state system.  In early January, we were told that VAMS was not working optimally, but not to worry because the state system would be up in a week.  A week later we were told it would be up in two weeks.  Last week I heard the Governor say that it would be up and running for phase 2a.  Yesterday he said that phase 2a might start in April.”

I had a good experience, and hope I do not get conflicting rescheduling emails as Representative Weber received for her second shot. My recommendation, and additional reason for sharing, is to encourage you not to leave the Athletic Complex without both a DATE and TIME for your second shot. Once a State system is in place, any information will be provided by CLARION email updates.

I have my first shot on the 17th, but it sounds like the second shot scheduling is still not “set in stone” as we would expect. Stay safe and stay well, yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

COVID by the Numbers—February 14 Edition; And,
Second Doses: The Continuing Saga

Second doses—This Week’s Challenges:  For those who got their first dose before last Sunday, and who were therefore not given a second appointment with their first dose, scheduling continues to be a challenge.  Most slots were still too far out for the timing of the first shot.  Calls to 211 revealed that new time slots were being added daily, but that they could not all be added at once, because VAMS would not support that.  You still have to cancel the later appointment and hope that there is an eariler one, and most people have been able to rebook in an appropriate time slot.  But there is a new wrinkle.  After rescheduling, quite a number of people have received a followup email saying that they had cancelled an appointment without rescheduling, even though they had, indeed rescheduled.  Checking VAMs shows that the rescheduled appointments are still there in the VAMS system.  Go figure.

For those who should have gotten a second appointment with their first dose, again the reviews are mixed.  I was told that for a while, Keene had no white vaccination cards.  Some have been told what day to come back, but have been told to come anytime.  Some have been told to go to VAMS and get a specific time.  Some have been told to come back at the same time as their first appointment, but have been given no confirmation.  Still a few bugs in the system.

And the Numbers: Last week, Walpole had 1-4 active cases.  Then we went back up to 7.  As of this writing, we are at 6.  New cases are holding steady—5 again this week.In Cheshire County, our seven day average of reported cases per 100,000 went from 20.2 down to 15.3 on the 10^th, and then back up to 19.2 as of today.  Active cases in the county went from 122 down to 101, then back up to 127.  Sadly, we have lost another 3 citizens to the pandemic.  That is 1 more than last week.

Keep well.
~Representative Lucy Weber
603-499-0282″Lwmcv@comcast.net

A week away and the March Town Meeting issue of the CLARION will close on Friday, 19 February, for all articles and advertisements. Once completed, the files will work their way to the printer, and then into your hands by the first of March.

I have already spent days in preparation looking at what I have received, and will be including for your reading enjoyment. Again, it appears sixteen pages may become the “norm” for awhile until activities may again safely resume and be reported to you.

So, here is your deadline warning, and if you have any questions, do email me – rayboas@comcast.net

And please, Wear Your Mask, Practice Social Distancing, and Wash Your Hands.
Thank you, yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

The Town has provided the CLARION with the signed Warrant Articles for Town Meeting March 9 and 13, 2021. You may read them in advance by clicking this link below:

WARRANT ARTICLES – 2021

Because of required legal terminology, Articles 2 and 3 may seem confusing, but will be further explained in an article in the March CLARION.
For petition warrant articles it is customary for the Select Board to “abstain.”

UPDATED DOG ORDINANCE

May be read by clicking the above link. Current actions in the community have prompted the need for this update. Violators will be assessed penalties with greater enforcement due to recent problems and concerns.

RAY BOAS, Publisher

REMEMBER, IT IS ALMOST TIME TO…

COVID by the Numbers—January 30 Edition
And
More About Those Second Doses

Second doses:  We now know more about scheduling those second doses of vaccine.  Things are still in a little bit of flux, but here is the procedure as it is right now.

Signup slots specifically designated for a second shot will open up on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 8:00 am.  This means you will no longer be competing with those signing up for their first shot, which was what pushed the second shoots so far out. Those who have already received their first shot will be able to schedule their second shot, or reschedule their second shot if their appointment is scheduled out beyond the recommended time windows.

You cannot schedule your second shoot until after you have received your first shot, as you can only have one appointment in the system at a time.  Immediately after you have received your first shot, go back to the VAMS web site www.vams.cdc.gov, and go to your account using the email address and password you used to register for the first shot.  We have been told you should be able to schedule a second shot within the optimum recommended time window—21-28 days for Pfizer, 28-35 days for Moderna, or if not then, at least close to it.  If you already have an appointment for a second shot that is further out in the future than the ones opened up on Tuesday, you will need to cancel the later appointment so you can sign up for the earlier one.  DHHS is recommending you get your second shot at the same location as your first shot, if possible.

The numbers:

The saddest news this week is that Cheshire has set a new weekly record for deaths, with 7 more lives lost to us.  This brings the total to 19, up from 7 at the start of the month.

The rest of the news is more cheerful.  Here in Walpole, we are down to 9 active cases, down from 15 last week, and the high of 30 on January 12.  We had 6 new cases this week, down from 7 last week.  The total number of Walpole cases is 91.

Cheshire County has come all the way down from #1 in the state on January 17^th  in the seven day average of reported cases per 100,000; we are now dead last, at #10.  Congratulations, everyone!  We are now at 26.3, down from 44.7 last week, and our high of 64.0 on January 17^th.  The number of active cases is 203, down from a high of 389 on January 15.

The cumulative total of reported Cheshire County cases is 2,229, up from 2,123 last week.

Statewide, the cumulative number of cases went from 62,337 on January 24^th to 65,362  today.  The number of active cases came down from 6,122 last week to5,238.  Hospitalizations are down from 239 to 217.  Another 55 Granite Staters lost their lives to COVID this week, topping the 1,000 mark, and bringing the cumulative total to 987 to 1042.

So please keep on taking good care of yourselves.  Redouble your efforts.  Wear your masks.  Keep your distance.  Wash your hands.  Avoid large groups.  Avoid close contact in small groups of those not in your household.  Be careful out there, now more than ever.

Keep well.
~Representative Lucy Weber
603-499-0282
Lwmcv@comcast.net

The February issue of  THE WALPOLE CLARION should be at the post office on Friday, 29 January. Thus, always posting a day or so beforehand on-line, the February issue is now on line.

You may click this link — https://thewalpoleclarion.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/clarion-feb21-topress2.pdf — or on page one below.

Please, please, even with vaccines becoming available, still WEAR YOUR MASK, practice SOCIAL DISTANCING, and WASH YOUR HANDS. That is what I am doing, Stay safe and stay well, yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

The roll-out of the NH Covid-19 Vaccination sign-up began Friday with those 65 and over receiving a CDC email early Saturday. This email was confusing (many of us trashed it as SPAM), and then a NH State email arrived telling how to navigate the CDC site to obtain an appointment for a vaccination. But it has been troublesome for many.

If you are 65 and older and are having trouble getting your COVID-19 vaccination scheduled through the CDC website, we can help you.  We have a number of volunteers who have figured out how to successfully complete the application and scheduling. Give us a call at 756-4861 — Tara for the River Valley Seniors at Home.

COVID by the Numbers—January 24 Edition from Representative Lucy Weber — In Walpole, the cumulative number of reported cases to date in Walpole is 91, up from 84 on the 17^th.  The number of currently active cases has come down from a high of 30 active cases on January 12, to 21 on January 17, and now to 15 on January 24.

COVID by the Numbers—January 17 Edition
We’re #1!

Unfortunately, being #1 is not always a Good Thing.  Until very recently, Cheshire County had a very low rate of COVID infection as expressed as a rate of cases per 100,000 population.  As of January 1, the rate per 100,000 in Cheshire County was 22.5, third lowest in the state.  As of today, just 17 days later, it is 64.0, the highest in the state.  Currently, the state average is 53.3.

Here in Walpole, we started 2021 with 6 active cases in town, and a cumulative total of 37 cases in Walpole since the start of the pandemic.  On January 17, there are 21currently active cases in town, and the cumulative total has rocketed up to 84.  The total number of cases in Walpole has more than doubled in 17 days, with 47 new cases in town since the beginning of the year.  Nearly 56% of the total cases in Walpole have been reported in the last 17 days.  So what happened?  Well, presumably, Christmas happened, and family gatherings.  The good news?  There is some—the 21 currently active cases is actually down from a high of 30 cases on January 12.

Countywide, we went from 142 active cases on January 1 to 425 active cases on January 17.  The cumulative total of Cheshire County cases was 1,263 at the beginning of the year; now the cumulative total is 1,910.  Nearly 34% of the total cases in Cheshire County have been reported since the beginning of he year.

Statewide, the numbers are not going up as fast as they are in Walpole or in Cheshire County.  The active cases rose from 5.919 to 6,387.  The total number of cases statewide went from 44,028 to 56,864.  Just over 22% of the statewide cases have been reported since the beginning of the year.  The statewide hospitalization numbers are actually coming down.  There were 317 in hospital on January 1, and after reaching an all-time  high of 335 on January 2, we are back down to 243 as January 17.

The number of lives lost to COVID in New Hampshire went from 759 to 933, so over 18% of the total deaths statewide have come in the last 17 days.  2 souls have just left us from Cheshire County.

There is hope on the horizon, with vaccines scheduled to become available to new groups of people.  However, as we await the start of phase 1-b, remember that realistically, there will still be a long wait for some of those newly eligible.  The NH Department of Health and Human Services estimates that there are 300,000 people in phase 1-b.  As of the Thursday press conference, we were told that NH was receiving an average of 17,500 doses of vaccine each week.  With each person needing two doses, at this rate it is going to take a long time to vaccinate all those eligible who want to receive the vaccine.  My post of January 14 outlines what we know as of now about the rollout of phase 1-b.

So please keep on taking good care of yourselves.  Redouble your efforts.  Wear your masks.  Keep your distance.  Wash your hands.  Avoid large groups.  Avoid close contact in small groups of those not in your household.  Be careful out there, now more than ever.

Keep well.
~Representative Lucy Weber
603-499-0282
Lwmcv@comcast.net

NH COVID-19 Vaccination Plan for Those Aged 65 and Older, and Others
Governor’s Press Conference January 14, 2021

At his press conference today, Governor Sununu described the rollout of the next phase of COVID-19 vaccines.  Please be aware that this is my best effort at notetaking—I have not had materials for review, so there may be inaccuracies.  It is also clear that there will be more information coming out as time goes on.

Phase 1-b  has been redefined, and will start on January 26.  Phase 1-b now includes the following groups:

• All persons 65 or older (This is a change from the earlier 75 or older.)
• Persons who are medically vulnerable, including parents of children under 16 who are medically vulnerable.  (Chilldren under 16 currently cannot get vaccine.)
• Persons living in institutions for those with developmental disabilities
• Corrections officers

How it will work.  There will be a web site to register for vaccination.  The site is www.vaccines.nh.gov .

The site will go live on January 22 for persons 65 or older. Vaccination appointments will start January 26.

Here is what you do:

• If you are over 65, you visit the web site and register as being 65 or older, and wanting to be vaccinated.
• When your turn comes, you will receive an email from the web site with a link for you to select a vaccination location and tie that works for you.
• Visit that link and pick your location and time
• Turn up for your vaccination with proof of your birth date showing that you are 65 or over.
• If you are under 65 and medically fragile, or are the parent of a medically fragile child under 16, contact your primary care provider and if you have 2 of the medical conditions that are identified , your primary care provider will notify the registration site.  The site will send you and email to register for a locations and time, and you can proceed as above.
• If you do not have internet access, contact 211 to get help registering.
• If you have had COVID-19, if you are past the infectious stage, you may get the vaccine if you are in a qualified group, unless you received monoclonal antibody therapy, in which case you must wait 90 days before being vaccinated.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions.

First of all, NH is currently getting about 17,000 doses of vaccine per week.  It is going to take a lot of time to get to everyone.

Second, the Governor did not say, and no one at the press conference asked, how they are going to manage appointments for the second dose of vaccine.  I have heard that some people who have received a first shot are currently having difficulty getting an appointment for a second shot.  I will try to find out how that is being managed, but I have no more information about how that will take place.

More information when I find it out.  In the meantime, and even after you have been vaccinated, wear your mask, keep your distance, wash your hands, and keep well.

~Representative Lucy Weber
603-499-0282
Lwmcv@comcast.net