Vermont reporters provide a round-up of ongoing local coverage of coronavirus for Tuesday, June 2.
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Vermont Department of Health reports five new cases of COVID-19
The Vermont Department of Health reported five new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases identified to date in the state to 988. No one is currently hospitalized with a confirmed case in Vermont.
The state reported no additional deaths Tuesday, and 55 people have died in Vermont from the pandemic. Additionally, 879 people are known to have recovered from COVID-19.
- Amy Kolb Noyes
More from VPR: Vermont Coronavirus Updates For Monday, June 1
Gov. Scott declines to say if he supports bill to increase use-of-force standard for Vermont police
Gov. Phil Scott won't say if he supports a bill in the Legislature to increase the use-of-force standard for Vermont police.
National protests over police brutality have sparked discussion over law enforcement policy and practices. The rallies came after a video of a white Minneapolis police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a black man, who died.
The Vermont bill, which was introduced in January, would create stricter rules for when police can use deadly force. There's been little movement on the bill in months.
Scott said he doesn't know enough about the proposal.
"And we want to take this time to reflect on what we're doing and do it better, but I'm just not aware of the bill in particular, and where it stands in this point in time," Scott said.
Public Safety Commissioner Michael Schirling said the state is accelerating plans to update police training to include more de-escalation tactics.
- Liam Elder-Connors
Agency of Education announces guidelines for high school graduations
The Agency of Education has released its final guidelines for holding high school graduations durin the COVID-19 pandemic.
Education Secretary Dan French said each local high school can put together an altered plan, as long as they meet health and safety requirements.
"We encourage people to come up with a solution that sort of can ensure a safe graduation, but also can be accomodating of local circumstances," French said.
The state is encouraging outside ceremonies, and school staff members and graduates must wear masks.
Many schools are holding drive-through ceremonies with the graduates staying in their cars until they walk out to get their diploma.
Mount Anthony Union High School senior Owne Hansen said that while his graduation will not be what he expected, he was ready to start the next chapter of his life.
"Rather than staying in the past and being upset about something that you don't have, or that you can't have anymore, it's about a way of moving on, and looking into the future and preparing yourself for what's next," Hansen said.
Mount Anthony will hold a drive-through graduation where students will wait inside cars until it's time to pick up their diploma.
- Howard Weiss-Tisman
