Thirty-seven percent of the nation’s fatalities from Covid-19 occurred among residents and staff in long-term care facilities. In 15 states, long-term care accounted for more than half of all Covid-19 deaths. This has become a terrifying time for the 1.3 million Americans living in these facilities and their families. Congress and the Administration must take urgent action to protect the health and safety of residents, staff and the surrounding community. This is a matter of life and death.
This is why we need to contact our Federal Representatives: Senators Feinstein and Harris, as well as Representatives Rho Khanna, Anna Eshoo, and Zoe Lofgren, to ask them support and vote in favor of the ACCESS ACT (HR 6487/S 3517). This bill will allow the staff of nursing homes to have access to telehealth services and obtain technologies to allow virtual visits during the public health emergency relating to an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), and for other purposes.
Also, the Nursing Home Covid-19 Protection & Prevention Act (HR 6972/S 3768), by our CA Representative Anna Eshoo, is important in that it provides better access for families and ensures better care for patients in nursing homes. Please thank Rep. Eshoo for her leadership and offer your support. Please also call your Member of Congress (if it is not Rep. Eshoo) to urge their support, along with Senators Feinstein and Harris.
There are now 12 Covid-19 symptoms to watch out for (the list grows): fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, (new) loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
President Trump will continue to support Covid-19 testing sites. Many states have decided to “pause” their reopening plans in light of the spikes in coronavirus cases. And Texas has become the new epicenter for Covid-19. So, stay healthy; wear your mask!