An Enfield nonprofit that provides residential housing and support for adults with developmental disabilities is asking for access to the COVID-19 vaccine after a staff member and a resident recently tested positive for the virus.
The two positive test results came after Visions for Creative Housing Solutions implemented strict regulations at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Executive Director Sylvia Dow said Friday.
In a statement, she said the nonprofit is taking measures to prevent further cases, such as preventing five residents who visited family over the holidays from returning.
Visions serves 11 residents and has about 20 staffers, according to Dow.
However, she said, “it is only a matter of time before someone else brings it in, no matter how careful we are being.”
Dow went on to point out that people with developmental disabilities may not have access to the COVID-19 vaccine for several weeks as New Hampshire prioritizes high-risk health care workers and first responders.
Meanwhile, neighboring Vermont is working to vaccinate those with developmental disabilities this week, she said.
An analysis released in November found that people with intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders are three times more likely to die if they contract COVID-19, the New York Times reported.
“So far we have not made any progress on the vaccine for our residents,” Dow said. “They don’t deserve this. We are in a life or death situation for some of our residents. New Hampshire has to do better .”
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has issued an executive order authorizing certain military service members and emergency medical technicians to temporarily work as licensed nursing assistants during the coronavirus pandemic.
Sununu, who issued the order Wednesday, said it “provides yet another tool to ensure that health care providers across the Granite State are able to maintain workforce and continue to provide quality care as we distribute the COVID-19 vaccines.”
The order followed one he issued Dec. 10 that authorizes certain nursing students to obtain a temporary license.
A Vermont town has voted to overturn in its community Gov. Phil Scott’s emergency orders issued with the intention of protecting the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The selectboard in Stamford, a town of about 800 people along the Massachusetts border, voted, 3-2, on Tuesday to “terminate” the governor’s restrictions.
Selectboard member Daniel Potvin said that quarantine requirements, restrictions on large family or public gatherings, and face mask requirements violate the state’s constitution because they were imposed without normal due process of law.
But in a letter to town officials, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Phillips said Vermont law does not give the town authority to terminate the state of emergency.
The letter did not say what the state would do should the town continue to maintain it can terminate the order.
The annual New Year’s Day polar plunge in Newport, R.I., went virtual this year because of the pandemic.
“A Wish Come True” says it won’t host the benefit plunge at Easton’s Beach for the 17th year, but is instead asking people to dump a bucket of ice water on themselves and share the video on social media with the hashtag “#AWCTPolarPlunge.”
The organization is also encouraging participants to challenge family and friends to participate and raise funds for the organization, which grants wishes for children facing life-threatening illnesses in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.
The benefit drive, inspired by the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, runs through the month of January. Last year, 5,000 people took the plunge in Newport and raised $27,000 for the organization.