2/Since the start of this crisis, @DeptVetAffairs health workers -- who care for 6 million veterans -- have been forced to come to work without proper protection and with few available tests, endangering both themselves and their patients https://www.revealnews.org/article/va-workers-being-forced-to-work-without-coronavirus-safety-precautions/">https://www.revealnews.org/article/v...
3/ Although the VA says it has plenty of PPE, reports of rationing are widespread.
This excellent story by @JasonLeopold, @jtemplon and @a_cormier_ of @BuzzFeedNews provides one shocking example: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/anthonycormier/coronavirus-masks-rationed-at-veterans-hospital">https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/a...
This excellent story by @JasonLeopold, @jtemplon and @a_cormier_ of @BuzzFeedNews provides one shocking example: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/anthonycormier/coronavirus-masks-rationed-at-veterans-hospital">https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/a...
4/This story by @Jasper_Craven and @suzannecgordon in @theprospect provides valuable context on the political dynamics that led to the shortages and put both veterans and staff at risk during the #COVID19 pandemic: https://prospect.org/health/trump-war-on-veterans/">https://prospect.org/health/tr...
5/ Put simply, the VA was being neglected
( @realDonaldTrump has never even bothered to appoint someone to run the massive health system https://www.veterans.senate.gov/nominations )
So">https://www.veterans.senate.gov/nominatio... the @DeptVetAffairs entered the crisis short 44,000 frontline healthcare professionals https://www.revealnews.org/article/understaffed-veterans-affairs-scrambles-to-confront-covid-19/">https://www.revealnews.org/article/u...
( @realDonaldTrump has never even bothered to appoint someone to run the massive health system https://www.veterans.senate.gov/nominations )
So">https://www.veterans.senate.gov/nominatio... the @DeptVetAffairs entered the crisis short 44,000 frontline healthcare professionals https://www.revealnews.org/article/understaffed-veterans-affairs-scrambles-to-confront-covid-19/">https://www.revealnews.org/article/u...
Correction on this tweet: VA staff care for 9 million veterans, not 6.
And yes, during the #COVID19 pandemic they are often being forced coming to work sick, without PPE and without being tested
And yes, during the #COVID19 pandemic they are often being forced coming to work sick, without PPE and without being tested