The pace of cancellations has quickened and Island agencies and businesses are announcing new rules aimed at controlling the spread of Covid-19.
No cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed on Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket or Cape Cod. But like an approaching hurricane, the growing coronavirus pandemic has sent Islanders into emergency planning mode.
After Gov. Charlie Baker’s state of emergency declaration Tuesday afternoon, the pace of event cancellations has quickened, while Island agencies and businesses are announcing new rules aimed at controlling the spread of the virus.
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital announced Thursday that it is limiting visits to patients, closing its cafeteria and meeting areas to the public and screening all visitors to Windemere.
Anyone with signs of a cold is asked to stay away from the hospital or use a mask, and all visitors are asked to continue regular hand washing and be prepared for enhanced screening by hospital staff and security at any time.
From left to right: Martha's Vineyard Hospital CEO Denise Schepici with Claire Seguin and Katrina Delgadillo.
From left to right: Martha's Vineyard Hospital CEO Denise Schepici with Claire Seguin and Katrina Delgadillo.
“This is really serious, and we need people to take this seriously,” chief executive officer Denise Schepici told the Gazette.
Coronavirus will come to Martha’s Vineyard, Ms. Schepici said, and she has taken the lead in gathering town emergency managers and health agents to coordinate an Island-wide preparedness plan.
“I am going to take charge, because we have to,” she said. “We’re going to be the focal point for everything.”
Ms. Schepici said her first priority is to make sure hospital staff are not infected.
“We need to protect our workforce,” she said. “We’ve got a great team here and we’ve got to keep them safe so they can take care of people.”
Islanders who believe they have been exposed to the coronavirus and are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 should contact their primary care physicians and avoid the hospital unless they are very ill and need immediate care, Ms. Schepici said.
“Our staff have to take care of the patients who come here every day, and we don’t want to overwhelm our very fragile health system,” she said. “If I had to quarantine all my emergency room staff. . . I have to shut the emergency room. That can’t happen.”
By calling their primary care physicians, concerned Islanders can be screened by phone to see if they need to be tested for the coronavirus.
“We have a lot of worried well out there who are calling in, demanding they get tested,” Ms. Schepici said.
But coronavirus testing is not available on demand at any Massachusetts hospital, MVH chief quality and clinical officer Claire Seguin said.
“Who gets tested and when is being dictated by the state epidemiologist,” she said.
Along with meeting twice a week with Island officials, Ms. Seguin said MVH takes part in daily telephone meetings with other members of the Partners HealthCare network, which includes Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
“We have experts across our system who know what they’re doing, can provide real-time information and then can provide us with help should we need a response,” Ms. Seguin said.
As public concern about the coronavirus has spread, Islanders visiting the hospital have been making off with boxes of surgical masks and disinfecting wipes and removing hand-sanitizer dispensers from the wall, Ms. Seguin added.
“Folks from the community are taking our supplies, and it’s critical that they know that we need those. . . we need to disinfect between patients and make sure staff have enough masks,” she said.
Hand sanitizers and surgical masks have long disappeared from Island store shelves.
“Antibacterial soap is a hot item,” said pharmacist David Perzanowski of Vineyard Scripts, adding that wholesalers are also sold out of supplies and some of his customers have turned to alcohol and aloe vera juice for home-made sanitizers.
In other signs of pandemic awareness, some Island coffee shops are declining to fill customers’ personal cups and the Offshore Ale Company in Oak Bluffs is no longer providing peanuts in a barrel and is stopping customers from throwing the shells on the floor. Offshore diners now receive bags of peanuts and a paper boat to hold the shells.
On Wednesday, organizers canceled what would have been the 20th Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, a late-March staple in Chilmark, and the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office announced new restrictions for visitors to the jail in Edgartown.
“Visitation would be allowed, but no physical contact,” said Heather Arpin, employee and public relations assistant at the sheriff’s office. “There would be a glass pane between the two individuals and a phone.”
Social distancing is also part of the strategy at Martha’s Vineyard Bank, whose president James Anthony said his customers are encouraged to enroll in online banking and install the bank’s mobile application on their mobile devices.
“We’re going to be making an aggressive push to recommend that,” said Mr. Anthony.
Vineyard school officials are canceling all out-of-state field trips and evaluating other trips based on their destinations and the number of students involved, superintendent Matthew D’Andrea said Thursday.
A Friday morning conference call with the state departments of education and public health should provide the Island district with new information on how schools should proceed, Mr. D’Andrea said. But in a message sent to district parents Thursday, Mr. D’Andrea encouraged parents to begin planning for the possibility of long-term school closures, preemptively securing child care in case it should become necessary.
“We are taking steps to prepare for delivering online instruction if that becomes necessary,” Mr. D’Andrea told the Gazette. “We will continue to communicate with families as information becomes available and we make decisions.”
James Malkin, the newly-appointed Vineyard representative to the Steamship Authority governing board, said Thursday that the boat line has instituted additional cleaning aboard its ferries and added informational signs about Covid-19.
Motorists will be encouraged to stay in their cars and not to leave the freight deck, Mr. Malkin told the Gazette.
“Given the contagion of this virus and the fact that during the incubation period you could have no symptoms, they’re going to recommend everybody stay in their car for their own protection as well as the traveling public,” Mr. Malkin said.
Comments
Disturbing number of CT NY NJ
Here in February (and March) MVDisturbing number of CT NY NJ plates driving around for this time of year. It might seem clever to ditch the big city and suburbs for that summer home in a time of crisis, but we are on off season staffing and you might think twice about that first ever mid March visit. Buy an island in Maine and stock it for self sufficiency if you want that sort of bail out option. Please don’t come here and overwhelm a delicate system. You won’t be safer (by a long shot) and neither will the year ‘round inhabitants of this island.
That is perhaps the most
Facts not fiction edgThat is perhaps the most ignorant comment I have ever read. If not for the CT NY NJ homeowners and visitors bankrolling this bubble economy, you wouldn't be the recipient of grossly inflated wages for mediocre services and gouging prices for goods. And guess what, as a seasonal homeowner who subsidizes the tax base this is the LAST place I would come to during this time. There are limited places to buy goods. Off-island thanks to the media hype the fools are hoarding toilet paper and canned goods, and stores are experiencing shortages. I heard from friends its all ready happening here. NO THANKS. And....when people do get sick here the island is like a big petri dish...they call get a cold at the same time. I'll take my chances off island.
I also have been paying taxes
MarieI also have been paying taxes for 27 years. We have a busy Spring coming up so this is an opportunity to get the house ready early. I can stay in this house or my other house. This way I get some work done. Lemons into lemonade.
Who are you to judge?
Hi February (and March)
August Resident On way to MVHi February (and March) resident, what you say may make sense but... I'm already approaching the ferry in my Escalade now. I've already paid to have a section of the supermarket cordoned off for my own personal use - so no more toilet paper or canned soup for you. I've also made a deal with all of the manufacturing plants on the Vineyard (of course all of those items in the supermarket are locally sourced, right?) to deliver directly to my property, where I plan to host lavish events for all of my friends who will be flying in on private jets that will create so much traffic that your private jet will not be able to find room to take off. Once we're done feasting at my place we will swarm your home and eat through the contents of your fridge, back up supply of food, floorboards and wall paper. But don't worry, we've heeded your advice; the Maine islands (which of course have no local issues of their own) will be next! Try not to be too disturbed and definitely do NOT lose your sense of humor. See you soon!
I pay taxes and contribute to
Peter AccinnoiWe are 70 years old, pay property taxes and contribute to MVH and to a local church.
Easier to isolate myself/wife/dog and do social distancing on MV. Felt we’d be safer.
BTW, bringing my own food, toilet paper and staying in my own house. Will also walk dog, a little black one.
Sorry that you have a problem with all of the above. Get used to it.
See you tomorrow.
Just fyi, the SSA is
from MV MVJust fyi, the SSA is recommending that you remain in your car during your ferry ride. Bring your own germicidal wipes, etc., since everyone is running out. Welcome back!
Welcome back! Some of us
DownislanderWelcome back! Some of us year rounders Are happy to see you all again. Stay well!
What an absurd comment, those
Mark EdgartownWhat an absurd comment, those with out of state plates are your neighbors and have every right to use their property when and how they choose. They pay the same taxes as you and are entitled to full use of the infrastructure.
Completely absurd and
Dave Up IslandCompletely absurd and insulting. Property owners should not use their own property, seriously??? Perhaps we should pay property taxes only for the days we occupy our residences then you can pay all on your own for the “delicate” system that you enjoy all year?
Close the schools now. This
Darren Lobdell TisburyClose the schools now. This is not the time to be sending our children out as missionaries to the virus. Let’s have respect for the elderly that live on this island. This is a public health crisis that will explode. Please treat it as such.
I suggest those looking for
Garri Saganenko The VineyardI suggest those looking for reliable information about COVID-19 watch/listen to Joe Rogan’s recent interview of Michael Ohlstrom (can be found on YouTube) an infectious disease expert from Univ. of Minn. who has spent his life tracking the origin and spread of infectious diseases.
He speaks plainly and honestly about his projections for this particular virus but also hits upon Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer Populations and Lyme Disease (both of which are particular interest to islanders).
One of the points he makes, however, is that since children are reacting differently (read: more mildly, asymptomatic) to COVID-19 than adults, then closing the schools may not be advisable since this could put undue strain on health care workers without adequate child care options. And since this won’t be a 2-3 day fix, he says, broader solutions about closures and cancellations need to be devised.
It really is a great podcast.
Wendy Lopez-Mata East FalmouthIt really is a great podcast. I felt less anxiety after listening to it about COVID-19.
If you send children to
Bob EdgartownIf you send children to school, parents and grandparents will get sick.
in China, healthcare workers
Darren Lobdell Tisburyin China, healthcare workers were separated from their families and stayed in hotels close to the hospitals. This was intended to prevent he people most close to the virus from infecting their families. Likewise, their families do not infect them. For healthcare workers with children, we need to devise a plan. Perhaps the children can stay at the school under supervision of some young adults. Hopefully, this will only be necessary for a short time like 2 to 3 weeks. Hopefully, MVH Management has a plan for these workers. It’s going to take coordination with the towns. This is not a drill.
Agree with Joe Rogan's
Lorraine EdgartownAgree with Joe Rogan's podcast. Dr. Michael Osteholm, U of Minnesota, whose C V is so long one gets bored reading it!!!! is an acknowledged expert in this field. I have listened to the podcast and it is not to be missed by all if possible. I am glad others have heard it.
I am not arguing about
Here in February MVI am not arguing about property rights here. I agree you have every legal right to use your property. And if you are self isolating and don’t get sick then no harm done. Just be aware that you are one of a group of people who have made this decision and some will likely get sick. They will require medical care. That is in very limited supply this time of year. If you happen to be one of those people you could find yourself stuck on an island with 20 hospital beds hoping the ferries are running or you can get a medical flight out to higher level care. I would be headed in the opposite direction if I had housing elsewhere. I don’t. I think people from off island who are at higher risk (why else isolate here) are making a terrible strategic move for themselves and others. If you are the only one who has thought of this, clever choice. If others take the same steps, not so clever. It’s just math.
I suggest you re-read your
Gary West TisburyI suggest you re-read your comments. Just like this is no time to for politicians to blame one party over their own party, this is no time to blame foreigners, immigrants or visitors. We are all one and need to only display compassion and aid to community members.
Here in February..........
Year Round Guy MVHere in February...........quit while you are behind.
Your dark warnings about
JMYour dark warnings about medical care are noted. I know many Islanders who seek treatment for ailments off-island.
I am not “fleeing” anything. I plan to get back to work.
As for people who fear off-island contamination. -don’t Islanders go off island? Are you going to allow your students to come back from college? How do the truckloads of food get delivered to Martha’s Vineyard? Should Wood’s Hole screen people coming off the ferry?
Our global connectivity includes Martha’s Vineyard.
Wow - Xenophobia got to MV
Carl Oak BluffsWow - Xenophobia got to MV before the Corona virus did.
I can tell you from personal
Jim H West TisburyI can tell you from personal experience this has going on quite a bit in recent days — people taking shelter on the island after evacuating larger cities like Boston in New York out of fear of catching the virus.
I can’t begrudge these people from wanting to protect themselves. But I have to question the logic of these people coming from larger population areas, where I’m sure the risk of infection is higher, to come here where they risk spreading the disease to a population with a lower risk of catching the disease.
As an island we are an interesting test subject regarding the spread of infectious diseases. Theoretically we have the natural boundary of the ocean to help stop or slow infectious diseases from taking root here.
But of course that all goes out the window if there is a large exodus of people coming from larger cities to take shelter here.
Again I can’t really fault these people, they are doing what they feel they need to do to stay safe. But if the virus does start to spread here, I wonder if we look back and regret not Instituting some type of travel ban, or restrictions on the steamship, that might’ve stop the virus from spreading here.
But it’s likely already too late for that. The proverbial cat is already out of the bag.
Restrictions on ferry travel
Mark EdgartownRestrictions on ferry travel and a travel ban on MV??? Hope you plan on refunding property owners that are paying taxes and would be denied lawful access to their homes.
I am not “fleeing a city” . I
MarieI am not “fleeing a city” . I am opening my house and doing repairs during unexpected downtime. I am not in a panic, as some seem to be.
Great reporting, Louisa
Tot Balay EdgartownGreat reporting, Louisa Hufstader!
Said with sisterly love!
jane EdgartownSaid with sisterly love!
What about taking temperature
Valerie Sonnenthal ChilmarkWhat about taking temperature of people before boarding a ferry or plane to come here?
You can have this, spread
William Edg.You can have this, spread this and not even know or have any symptoms (such as a temperature) for 4 or more days until you get sick. Some people have it spread it and don't get sick. We will never know how many of those there are. For instance, those under 20 are at a very low risk, but can under 20 carry it and be asymptomatic? You can't stop all transport or we would starve, etc. For however long this lasts, we will get through it.
I like your idea take
Mary crowley Chadds ford , PSI like your idea take temperature before boarding plane and ferry. Or you can isolate yourself in your car on ferry once temperature has been taken. This is what they are doing in France before you go in the grocery store and other public buildings. . Great suggestion.
Frankly, the SSA should
Lobdell Darren TisburyFrankly, the SSA should probably be screening all passengers for an elevated body temperature. Pay attention to measures being used around the world. They will be coming here. Also, each town needs to be prepared for an alternative method of conducting town meeting. Again, the elderly are much more at risk and they represent at least 25% of my town’s population. There needs to be a plan in place to handle an overflow of patients at MVH. This plan should be communicated to the community at large. The clock is ticking.
Here's a suggestion for all
Godspal MV,NYC,BOSTON,HOBOKENHere's a suggestion for all.Why not close MV starting 3/17/2020 and reopen 8/1/2020?Food and fuel deliveries only.It may teach us to love thy neighbor because everyone would be a power of example one way or another.
Oh, c'mon! I cannot believe
Pia Webster EDGARTOWNOh, c'mon! I cannot believe some of what I'm reading in the comments. Please think twice before you share your pettiness, your heartlessness, your lack of good will. It makes me, in fact, want to leave the Island after 30 years and join my loving family in New Jersey. Surely, these trolls do not represent most of the year-round residents. At least I hope not.
Brig·a·doon | \ ˌbri-gə
Bulkington EdgartownBrig·a·doon | \ ˌbri-gə-ˈdün
Definition of Brigadoon
: a place that is idyllic, unaffected by time, or remote from reality.
This island is not Brigadoon. It never was Brigadoon.
So glad to see the Hospital
Jennifer Oak BluffsSo glad to see the Hospital take a leadership role, just what we need.
My family went out to eat
Moira W. TisburyMy family went out to eat last night and was concerned that the island establishment did not seem to be taking any extra precautions. We didn't see any extra table sprays, wipes or even signs about hand washing (I understand hand sanitizer is running low). I'd like to see MV businesses step up hygiene measures or just close doors. Here's to working together to stop the spread and keeping calm.
I was in a place where there
Sarah Kuh ChilmarkI was in a place where there was a plate of samples, broken cookies or brownies. So customers (presumably without gloves) would be touching the same food. When I told the young lady at the counter I thought it was a bad idea she said "thank you for your opinion" with a bit of attitude. Ah, youth...
People need to practice some
John Cape CodPeople need to practice some common sense about this Covid-19 situation instead of this growing anxiety & panic along with the ridiculous statements about it that are out there. First if you visit the CDC website you will see that the common flu so far this season has infected 34 million people with 350,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths in the USA. Taking that into account compare it to the current statistics of Covid-19. While Covid-19 is a serious worldwide virus that everyone needs to be aware of with the proper precautions taken, people really need to take a deep breath and relax as some peoples comments reflect the anxiety from the constant news media reports. This in turn has caused many people to seriously over react to the situation, so practice common sense and take proper precautions as getting the Flu can be just as serious if you look at the current Flu statistics.
Its only the beginning john.
James Cape codIts only the beginning john. The flu isn't new and shouldn't be compared to this current virus outbreak.
Agree, take a look at what
RoseAgree, take a look at what the epidemiologists are saying. This is about slowing the spread of the coronavirus so as not to overwhelm our healthcare facilities. At this point, we do not even know the true number of cases as people can spread the virus when they are asymptomatic. Key is to take it seriously now and do everything possible to slow the spread.
While I always sensed some
Peter AccinnoWhile I always sensed some ‘town vs gown’ over the last 20 years, I am appalled by some of these postings, particularly replies to my posting about exercising my rights to use my property in a lawful manner.
To further assuage folks, we will be happy to leave MV to seek medical care in addition to bringing our own food and toilet paper, never mind our plan to generally restrict our movement to our small home and property in West Tisbury.
And, will happily, but reluctantly, entertain fair market value offers for our home of 20 years.
Stay, Peter. And enjoy this
Kelce OBStay, Peter. And enjoy this island like the rest of us do. You've been coming here for over 20 years and must know there are a number of islander jerks on this island. Not too many, but enough of them The rest of us welcome your return. Be safe.
My biggest concern is our
Pat Oak BluffsMy biggest concern is our teachers and the fact that they’re putting themselves at risk without the proper tools. Do the schools have enough hand sanitizer for the children/teachers? Are they still allowing PAC assemblies? Are teachers who are more at risk due to health conditions going to be allowed a paid sick leave? What about the fact that Oak Bluffs doesn’t have clean drinking water? Is the town going to provide me water?
I welcome my off-island
Nancy O Jephcote Vineyard HavenI welcome my off-island friends! And like most of us I am consumed by concerns. As a local, I understand the concerns about insufficient health care facilities and staffing here. We are an isolated rural island in winter and our hospital will fill very rapidly. I hope we can all work harder to understand what stress and typed word can do to inflame ordinarily kind people. I see snark flying both directions! I don't begrudge people coming and I don't think I have heard anybody say it is not your right to do so. But yes I hope you can understand why I worry about potential hospital gridlock to the detriment of all. And I am not sure all summer visitors are fully aware of the risks they may take coming here. Not to mention the risks they may bring with them for an island with a disproportionately large elderly population.
"Potential hospital gridlock?
Bulkington Edgartown"Potential hospital gridlock?" MVH has 25 staffed beds. Seventeen beds in the ER. Today in Woods Hole, I got bumped from a ferry for which I had arrived 40 minutes early. The boat was packed. I watched plates from CT, NJ, RI, and NY drive on the boat. Even vectors have rights; I know that. When the last ferry of the day has already sailed (no ambulance to transfer a critical patient to step-up care), and there is only a single Medivac available (as often happens in the summer)who gets to go? "pettiness, your heartlessness, your lack goodwill." Yes, I suppose so.
Sorry, can’t let it go.
Accinno PeterSorry, can’t let it go. Guess that’s because we have tried to be good citizens, friends and neighbors, including contributions for island needs. Island has clearly lost some of my good feelings about it. So, signing off.
Given how quickly the Covid
Islander West TisburyGiven how quickly the Covid-19 virus has been spreading in other parts of the world and the resulting havoc, I find it highly irresponsible to allow any off island school field trips. Cancel them all for two months. Take greater precautions now as it clearly is just a matter of time until we start registering the virus on island. This to me seems like a simple decision at this point in time.
As a year-round resident,
AR EdgartownAs a year-round resident, Island business owner, I certainly support and appreciate my seasonal neighbors for a large range of reasons.
While it may be the “desirable” and maybe even “ appropriate” thing to do, to escape a known high risk area to ride out this virus away from ones primary residence, it certainly is not the “kind, neighborly” thing to do, to raise the risk here on MV.
However, if we are all honest with with ourselves and put ourselves in the others shoes, maybe we would also make the same decision.
AR, I appreciate your
Bulkington EdgartownAR, I appreciate your articulation of the matter. A concise and thoughtful comment, I wish I had that insight from the start.
You think that you are living
JmYou think that you are living in a bubble and “off islanders” are going to infect you?
Tell that to the drivers of the trucks bringing food and supplies to you. Stop and Shop trucks were delivering yesterday. I am sure that you are happy with those who serve you coming Over..
"When infected people do not
Bulkington Edgartown"When infected people do not know that they are infected, they might not stay at home – thereby running the risk of infecting others... The probability that someone dies from a disease is not only dependent on the disease itself, but also the social and individual response to it...This is the reason that limiting the magnitude of peak incidence of an outbreak is important. Health systems can care for more patients across an outbreak when the number of cases is spread out over a long period rather than condensed in a very short period."
Max Roser, Hannah Ritchie and Esteban Ortiz-Ospina (2020) - "Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – Statistics and Research". Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus' [Online Resource]
Note that the WHO does not say, "Well, if you're just opening your rightfully owned summer home for which you pay taxes, go right ahead and travel. Since it's your private property, you won't be putting others at risk." It did not say, "Well, as long as you're nice to your neighbors and you have good intentions, your hospital will have all the resources it needs and everything will be fine."
You guys a are completely
Bob S. Vineyard havenYou guys a are completely missing the point. Every single expert who knows anything about infectious diseases is highly recommending against traveling right now. Just as many of us who live here year round have decided, now is not the time to go on vacation from the island. It works both ways. My 80 year old wife and I would love to escape this Island during this time to go hunker down somewhere safe like our house in Maine. This is simply an equation about not moving around right now and, “social distancing.” This is exactly how infectious diseases transmit exponentially through the population. Come down a month or two from now when we possibly have a handle on the situation. Calling people xenophobes for doing the right thing and self isolating and not traveling is just a failed attempt at justifying your own selfish actions. We all pay taxes, it doesn't give you a special pass to not do your part during this potential pandemic. It’s not about your right to travel to and from your home. Coming here right now is about the most selfish thing I have ever witnessed people do. You cant wait three weeks, a month to see if we can keep this at bay? Unbelievable. Look at what France and Spain are doing right now. The order is to “do not leave your home.” This is where we are headed when there are so many who are so oblivious to their own roll in this epidemic. Ask yourself, are you being part of the solution or part of the problem.
Add new comment