SVHC Makes Change to COVID Resource Center Hours

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BENNINGTON, Vt. — Southwestern Vermont Health Care's (SVHC) COVID Resource Center hours will change starting Monday, Jan. 10. 
 
The center will no longer take appointments for COVID testing. 
 
Tests will be available without an appointment every Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. COVID vaccinations and boosters—both walk-ins and scheduled appointments—will be available every Monday through Wednesday from 1 to 5 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Hours may change based on demand, holidays, weather, and other factors.
 
Consent forms for testing and vaccines are available as downloadable and printable documents at svhealthcare.org/COVID-Resource-Center. 
 
Walk-in patients seeking testing and vaccines or boosters are encouraged to fill out their forms in advance. Those who schedule vaccine appointments online do not need to complete a consent form. Those who are unable to fill out forms in advance are asked to bring a pen to fill out the form in their vehicle.
 
Testing will not be available in extreme inclement weather, including cold temperatures. Testing will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 11, when the forecasted temperature is -2 degrees Fahrenheit.
 
The clinic is located on the former Southern Vermont College campus at 981 Mansion Drive in Bennington. The COVID Resource Center is a Vermont state contracted facility operated by Southwestern Vermont Health Care.
 
Patients can schedule their COVID vaccine online. Go to https://vermont.force.com/events/s/selfregistration to schedule a vaccine. While scheduling is preferred for vaccinations, walk-ins are accepted.
 
The clinic is open to all who are eligible. At present, everyone age 5 and older are eligible for vaccination. People 12 and older are eligible for a booster.
 
The Pfizer vaccine is available to patients who are ages 5 – 17. Patients over the age of 18 have a choice of Pfizer or Moderna, based on availability.
 
Everyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.
 
The services are free, with no cost to patients. Insurance companies may be billed for testing.  
 
For additional information, visit svhealthcare.org/COVID-Resource-Center.

Tags: COVID-19,   svhc,   SVMC,   


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December is the Start of Bird Feeding Season

MONTPELIER, Mass. — According to Vermont Fish and Wildlife, December is the Start of bird feeding season.
 
"Winter bird feeding is a great way to observe and learn about our year-round bird residents such as black capped chickadees, nuthatches and blue jays. It's also a great time to learn about winter visitors such as evening and pine grosbeaks." said Jillian Kilborn, Vermont Fish and Wildlife's bird project leader. 
 
Here are some basic bird feeding tips from Vermont Fish and Wildlife:
  • Make your own feeding mixture to maximize the number of species visiting your yard. Black oil sunflower seed is a favorite of many birds, but when mixed with "thistle" (or "nyjer") or cracked corn you will be sure to attract a wide variety of species. Don't forget the suet to attract woodpeckers and even chickadees.
  • Mix up the type of feeders you use. Hopper feeders are great for large birds such as blue jays, while tube feeders are best for smaller birds. Elevated tray feeders will attract birds that usually feed on the ground including juncos and larger bodied winter visitors such as evening grosbeaks.
  • Place your feeders near natural habitat, or even add a habitat for birds to hide. A Christmas tree is a great addition to a snowbank next to your feeder to provide quick cover. 
  • Keep your feeders clean. Only put out enough food for a day, and wash feeders every couple of weeks in a 10 percent bleach solution and let dry to prevent the spread of bacteria and disease.
 If you decide to feed birds, remember:
  • Feeding can expose birds to hazards they might otherwise avoid. The risks of predation are higher close to people, especially from domestic cats -- the leading cause of bird deaths in North America. Keep cats inside and take feeders down if predators become frequent visitors. Also, we recommend placing feeders within three feet of windows to minimize high speed window strikes.
  • Don't feed birds when bears are active. Most bears are in dens from Dec. 1 to April 1, but some will delay hibernation or re-emerge to feed during periods of warmer weather. Remove bird feeders immediately if you see signs of bears or know a bear is active in your community. Bears that learn to associate food with a house will continue to return, potentially leading to property damage and dangerous encounters with people. Further, it is illegal to feed bears in Vermont.
  • Once you've started feeding the birds, keep your feeders stocked. Although wild birds are not entirely dependent on bird feeders, they can become accustomed to this easy food source. If you wish to stop feeding during winter months, gradually taper off the amount of food you provide rather than stopping abruptly, giving the birds a chance to find other food sources. This is especially important when food is scarce in late winter or during periods of extreme weather. Immediately remove feeders if there are reports of HPAI (Avian Influenza) or even a bacterial infection outbreak. Concentrating birds at a feeder only contributes to the spread of diseases. If you find a dead bird visit the Avian Influenza Wildlife Health Bulletin on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website for more information on when to report, and what to do.
  • Finally, report your observations. While watching your bird feeders, you can participate in one or more bird monitoring projects by looking up the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, the Great Backyard Bird Count and Project Feeder Watch and eBird -- all collect important information for understanding bird populations.
As winter sets in, find a comfortable spot inside where you can watch the birds visiting your feeders. Figure out what birds they are, observe how they interact with each other, and see what they prefer to eat. It's a perfect way to get to know the birds around you better.
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