The Walpole Clarion

At its meeting the evening of November 18, the Fall Mountain Regional School District School Board discussed the rise of COVID-19 in NH, and discussed the best alternative for all concerned. It was decided the district “will be moving to a remote model of instruction beginning Monday, November 30 and returning to schools Tuesday, January 19 [2021].” More information may be found at the district website – https://www.sau60.org/

Wear Your Mask – Socially Distance – Wash Your Hands
Stay Safe – and enjoy your holidays
RAY BOAS, Publisher

Our State Representative, Lucy Weber, just sent this latest update to me. When she and I chatted on Election Day I told her I wanted to continue to share her updates, but not wanting to overwhelm you, or inure you to the seriousness of the situation, I would forward her updates selectively. What I want to emphasis with this update is what is happening here in Cheshire County – NOT GOOD – with an almost ten-fold daily infection increase in the past month. Please READ and HEED. Stay well, yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher, THE WALPOLE CLARION

COVID by the Numbers—November 7 Edition

Here is what has happened since my last report, at the end of October.

On November 7, there were 9 new cases confirmed in Cheshire County, more than on any other day so far.  There were no new cases on the 1^st, but in the last 6 days, there have been 35 new cases confirmed in the county. The number of currently active confirmed cases in Cheshire County have increased from 31 to 50.  Currently, the active cases are in  Rindge (16) Keene(12) Jaffrey(5) and the following towns with 1-4 each—Westmoreland, Chesterfield, Hinsdale, Winchester, Swanzey, Harrisville, and Dublin.  The 7 day average of cases per 100,000, 3.2 as of October 29, was 5.6 as of November 5.

Statewide, the number of new cases per day topped 200 in each of the last 3 days.  Statewide hospitalizations, which were at 42 at the end of November, dipped to 38on the 1^st of November, but rose to 49 on Nov. 7^th.  And 6 more of our citizens have died this week.

None of this is good news.  Cheshire County, which still has the lowest average rate of daily confirmed infections, went from having an average 0.6 infections a day just a month ago to 5.6 a day now.  Coos County, which had the lowest rates all through the spring, now has an average of 36.2 cases per day per 100,000. The numbers of actual cases are not that large, of course, because Coos County does not have 100,000 people in it, but if their rates can go up this shockingly, so can ours.  All signals are that there is ever more community spread, some of it from people who are asymptomatic and who have no way to know they have the disease.

One thing I have noticed recently is that people, masked and unmasked, are far less careful than they were to keep the six foot distance.  It is difficult, because most of us want to engage with other people, but measure it out, and try to observe that distance with all people not of your household.

Wear your mask, even when distancing.
Keep your distance, even when wearing your mask.
Wash your hands.
And keep well.

~Representative Lucy Weber
lwmcv@comcast.net
603 499 0282

Following are the votes cast on 3 November in the Town of Walpole, New Hampshire, with over 80% turnout. On election day 74 new voters registered in Walpole and about 30 in the North Walpole precinct. About 2700 people voted in both precincts. Below is a sample ballot with the numbers of votes cast for each candidate. You may click on the images for a larger view.

Democracy is alive in Walpole, New Hampshire.
Wear your mask, socially distance, and stay safe and well, yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

Yes, already the eleventh month of this most different year. But moving right along anyway, the November 2020 issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION is now on-line for you to browse and read. Your “hard copy” in now in the mail, and you should be receiving it in a day.

So, take a look — detailed Town news from Peggy, our student articles are back, the new Reuse Center is open, some “Turkey” information, and a reminder to vote. And, just in case, I have a post ready to send on Monday to remind you to VOTE TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3rd.

CLICK ON THIS LINK
FOR THE NOVEMBER 2020 ISSUE

Our State Representative, Lucy Weber, is providing the community with important COVID-19 updates. She provides them to THE WALPOLEAN – a community blog. Since I am not providing as frequent updates as occur on THE WALPOLEAN, I encourage you to click on the links for the site, and sign up for email notifications – just as you have done for THE WALPOLE CLARION, or will do if you have not already done so.

Please take care, wear your masks, socially distance, stay well! RAY BOAS, Publisher

Below is the 26 October COVID report from our State Representative, Lucy Weber, provided last evening. But, just today she updated the bad COVID trend numbers, saying,

“COVID-19 by the Numbers October 26–Evening Update — And just like that, it changes again. The news release for today lists 6 new cases in Cheshire County, 50% more than we have ever seen on a single day to date. That’s only 2 extra cases, but the trend is not going in the right direction. The new cases are in Hinsdale(3), Rindge(2), and Keene(1). Currently, Cheshire now has 26 active cases. Given that there were 21 active cases yesterday, the good news is that someone got better and was taken off the list.You know what to do….and keep well.~Representative Lucy Weber

COVID by the Numbers, October 26 Edition

The numbers since my last report continue to rise. The NH statewide 7 day average of new cases per 100,000, as of October 24, is 6.5, up from 5.3 on October 12.  The rate of acceleration has slowed, but we are still seeing steady increases.  We are now the 4^th lowest state, behind Hawaii, Vermont and Maine. I think it is worth noting that both Vermont and Maine have significantly lower rates for their 7 day average of new cases; Vermont is at 2.7, and Maine has taken over the lowest spot at 2.4.

On October 12, there were 738 active cases here in New Hampshire.  As of yesterday, October 25, there are 1,032.  The hospitalization number has also gone up from 17 to 23.  The bright spot here is that is still much lower than it was earlier in the pandemic, but it bears close watching.  The difference is that we are testing many, many more people now than back in May, when we only tested persons with symptoms, so we are actually identifying more asymptomatic cases than before.

In Cheshire County, the 7 day average of new cases rate has gone from 1.3 to 1.9.  There was a spike up as high as 2.6 during the week of the 14^th to the 21^st, but we seem to have settled back to 1 or 2 cases a day.  We are currently the second lowest county in the state, and our local rates are lower than the statewide rates for Vermont and Maine.

That said, in Cheshire County, we had 9 active cases on October 12, and we are now at 21 active cases, driven by those days when we had 4 new cases a day. Active cases are located in Walpole, Westmoreland, Marlow, Keene, Swanzey, Jaffrey, Fitzwilliam, and Rindge.  Jaffrey, Rindge and Keene seem to have most of the more recent cases, but they have not been reported as being associated with either of the colleges.

There are now only 6 states in the contiguous 48 that are still in the yellow “community spread” category on the Harvard Global Health Initiative map—Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York on the east coast and Washington and Oregon on the west coast.  21 states are in the bright red category, up from 13, and the rest are orange.  North Dakota is now at 105.2 cases per 100,000.  The US as a whole has gone from an average of 15 cases per 100,000 to 20 per 100,000.

These are numbers you may want to keep firmly in mind when considering holiday travel plans.  Also, check each state’s requirements with regard to travel.  NH currently requires anyone travelling here from outside New England to self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival; this applies to anyone from NH who has travelled and stayed in those states as well.  Bear in mind that when that order was issued, all the New England states were in the Yellow category, except Vermont, which was Green. Now, the three southern New England states are at Orange–the rate of new cases in Massachusetts and Connecticut is 13 per 100,000; Rhode Island is at 21.  Be careful out there.

Each state has its own different leisure travel requirements.  Vermont looks at the county you are travelling from.  Currently Cheshire County, along with Sullivan and Coos, are the only NH counties that are exempt from the Vermont quarantine requirement.  Essential travel (work, shopping for essentials) is allowed.  If you are planning to travel, look at the requirements both in NH and in the state you are visiting.

Wear your mask—even when you are at a distance, keep your distance—even when you are wearing a mask, wash your hands, and keep well.

~Representative Lucy Weber — copied from THE WALPOLEAN.ORG

the above banner will appear in THE WALPOLE CLARION, until we can say – “it is gone.”

COVID-19 Update
from State Representative Lucy Weber

I don’t usually report this often, but the situation seems to be changing rapidly.  Last night (October 14) there were 4 more COVID cases reported in Cheshire County.  This means that we have had 12 new reported cases in the last 7 days, October 8-14, as compared to 4 new cases reported from October 1-7.

More importantly, a look at the map of active cases shows that Walpole, Surry and Marlow have joined Westmoreland, Keene, Swanzey, Jaffrey and Rindge as municipalities with active cases.  And of course, these are only the cases where there has been a positive test.  As we know, many persons infected by the virus are without symptoms, but they are still able to transmit the disease to others.  Undoubtedly some of those cases are local.

For any of us who have started to feel secure in our own local bubble, know that we must go back to taking care, all the time, and with all our encounters.  And of course, the precautions from 100 years ago are still the best protection.

Wear your mask-even when keeping your distance; keep your distance-even when wearing a mask; wash your hands; and keep well.

Lucy

A Facebook reader asked: What is being done for contact tracing for the one active case? Haven’t seen anything advising where said person has been, which allows others to know whether they should get tested.

And, here is Lucy’s explanation: Contact tracing is done confidentially unless there is an indication that there might have been untraceable contact in a public place such as a church or restaurant bar.  The numbers for schools and nursing homes are given on state web sites. Otherwise, all possible precautions are taken to protect the privacy of the infected individual.

Today was the day – UPS Gary has retired. For 35 years, an integral part of the Walpole community, over 100 masked and distanced citizens – from youngsters less than five, and one Walpole legend who is now 90, gathered to say good-bye and wish Gary and his wife farewell.

The storm came early to town, disrupting power for over eight hours, and also the Comcast internet link, but fortunately the storm came early so the tearful, sad crowd could assemble and stay dry. Gary’s truck pulled in at 4:43 PM at his last stop – Burdick’s Chocolate factory.

and he was overwhelmed

heading near the loading dock, those who Gary has cheerfully helped for over three decades surrounded him.

Selectboard Chair, Peggy Pschirrer, made a few remarks and passed to Gary a bag full of cards and gifts while Gary’s wife and UPS supervisors stood by.

Between tears, Gary said a few words. He told us that when he started in Walpole he knew he wanted to stay on this route. He was successful in his bids for our route, and with seniority his bids were always successful.  We will miss you Gary, wish the best ahead visiting family in Maine, and always wish you well – LOVE – Your Friends and Family in the TOWN OF WALPOLE.

The October issue of the CLARION, again twenty-four pages, should be in the mail on September 29, but it is is now on-line for you to read early and share. Town news, the primary election, a great deal new at the libraries, four reader’s commentaries, some “Gleanings from Town Minutes,” and much more of interest. Take a look, see what is happening in Walpole. And, please remember, you have the CLARION’s advertisers to thank for bringing you the CLARION, so please extend your thanks when you see them, or need them.

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO SEE THE
October  2020 ISSUE

Please share this post and issue with friends, neighbors, and out of town family and friends. THE WALPOLE CLARION is also on Facebook,  so “Like Us” there, along with 332 folks who have already done so. You will receive updates of importance, and this post is the third one since the October issue “went to press.” Also, you should sign up on the CLARION website to receive these post updates.

REMEMBER — Wear your mask, stay home or keep a “social distance” and wash your hands. Be safe, and stay well, yours, RAY BOAS, Publisher

Our beloved UPS Driver – Gary Levesque – is retiring after 35 years of serving our community on Wednesday, September 30^th.  We need to get together to show Gary how much we appreciate him. 

Burdick’s Factory is very willing to have people gather to say goodbye to Gary on Wednesday.  He normally stops there, his final pickup, between 4:30 and 5:00 – so we should all be there by 4:30.  They ask that we park in the back of their building, so we don’t block the employees who will be going home around that time.  Or we can park across the street in EE Houghton’s parking lot. It’s been suggested that everyone bring cards for Gary so he has something to remember us all by.  Burdick’s is giving him a gift.  Nice.  

Can everyone tell their friends about this goodbye gathering?  It would be great to get a nice turnout for him – he deserves it. 

And make some signs to hold, too!  And balloons!  Let’s make it a grand send off.

And remember, it’s a secret – don’t tell Gary!!         ———     Tara Sad

The October issue of THE WALPOLE CLARION went to the printer this morning, 23 September, but our health officer just provided this important note to share. RAY BOAS, Publisher

RABIES IN THE AREA – September, 2020

Within the last three weeks there have been two confirmed cases of rabies, one in Alstead and one in Walpole. In Alstead a rabid bat was in the house. The animal died and was delivered to the New Hampshire Department of Public Health in Concord where rabies was confirmed. The two dogs in the house were current on their rabies vaccination but received booster shots just to be safe. This episode reinforces the need to keep indoor pets, usually cats, current on their rabies vaccine even though they never go outside.

The second episode occurred in the Walpole cemetery. A man was walking his dog off leash when the dog dashed in to the woods on the north side of the cemetery. It emerged with a coyote chasing it. There was an altercation and the owner killed the coyote. The head of the coyote was taken to the lab in Concord. It was positive for rabies. The dog was also current on its rabies vaccination and it too received a booster.

We live in a rabies endemic area. Keep your animals vaccinated! We won’t hear much about rabid animals because we do live in an endemic area and Fish and Game expects us to know that and be prepared.

Charles P. Shaw, DVM, Health Officer, Town of Walpole

RABIES ALSO IS A VIRUS

Rabies virus particles, computer illustration. This bullet-shaped particle consists of an RNA (ribonucleic acid) genome enclosed in protein capsid, which is itself surrounded by a lipoprotein envelope containing glycoprotein spikes. Rabies virus primarily infects animals but can be transmitted to humans through a break in the skin. It spreads slowly through the peripheral nervous system to the brain, where it causes inflammation resulting in fever and delirium. Infection in humans can be fatal, though modern vaccines are effective if taken within the incubation period of the virus.