RangerJoe
Posts: 13450
Joined: 11/16/2015 From: My Mother, although my Father had some small part. Status: offline
|
The US Veterans Administration healthcare system is adapting to this: Veterans, VA brace for COVID-19 impact Written By: Kirsti Marohn / MPR News | Mar 26th 2020 - 11am. (I believe that MPR is Minnesota Public Radio) quote:
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. -- As more cases of COVID-19 develop across the U.S., military veterans are among those most at risk for falling seriously ill from the disease. They’re also bearing the brunt of many measures aimed at stopping the virus’ rapid spread. About half of U.S. veterans are over the age of 65, and many have underlying health complications, making them especially vulnerable to the new coronavirus, which often causes respiratory illness in people who are infected. . . State and federal VA officials say early action and experience caring for the very sick — including patients in intensive care and on ventilators — mean the sprawling agency is prepared for a worst-case scenario. That’s in part because the VA also serves as a backstop to the civilian U.S. health care system for major events — not only war, said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “For natural disasters and epidemics, we provide a backup force for the country, and we rehearse and exercise these scenarios throughout the year,” he said. Wilkie said the VA has access to federal stockpiles of medical supplies and has a reserve force of 3,000 staff around the country that can be deployed in an emergency. The VA hasn’t received requests from states yet to provide large-scale support, he said. As of Wednesday, the VA had reported that 365 veterans across the U.S. have tested positive for COVID-19, and four have died. Meanwhile, VA medical facilities have taken steps to screen patients and restrict visitors. As with other health care facilities, elective surgeries and procedures have been postponed, and nonurgent medical appointments are being rescheduled. https://www.grandforksherald.com/lifestyle/health/5017032-Veterans-VA-brace-for-COVID-19-impact But the most important thing for everybody is this one: quote:
“Social distancing doesn’t necessarily mean that you isolate. You reach out,” Havlick said. “If you haven’t heard from somebody, give them a call.” So, I don't know if other countries have a comparable system like the US Veterans Administration healthcare system which has links to teaching hospitals as well as doing lots of research. While it has had problems and continues to have problems, most of those are in the administration and support parts and not the medical part. So everybody, please stay safe and be well. Please, follow the last quote and reach out to people who may be isolating. A phone call might make their day.
_____________________________
Seek peace but keep your gun handy. I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing! “Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).” ― Julia Child
|