THREAD
1. This is my Dad, Ed.
He’s a resident at a NY State Veterans Home.
Anyone who meets him, knows he’s a big Yankee fan.
He survived chemo & removal of half his stomach at 80 yrs old, 3 yrs ago.
As you can see he is mobile.

2. He spends time in his room, but everyday likes to venture out to the atrium or lobby to read.
He attends church services every Friday,
Rosary group on Weds & if nice weather, sits outside.

3. He usually calls us everyday asking for batteries for the headlamp that’s attached to his Air Force hat.
Or, “I’m running out of goodies. Can you bring me cake?” Or can we get him a new book that came out.
My Dad’s a big reader & keeps box score for the Yankees (pictured)

4. On march 9th the Veterans Home was locked down. No visitors indefinitely. The virus hadn’t picked up steam yet, so I thought he & the other residents would be safe.
And he still had access to his favorite sitting places, except for the lobby.

5. On March 25 an order was signed by Andrew Cuomo to force all NY nursing homes to admit Covid 19 positive patients into nursing home facilities.
Eventually Dad was no longer able to walk to his usual places & was now stuck in his room.
The Veterans home now had the virus.

6. And it kept coming…

7. In 2 months he's gone deeper into dementia. He doesn't walk much, rarely calls & we can barely reach him. Luckily he's "with it" to understand there's a virus & asks us to send more potato chips. He doesn't have the virus.
I know the nurses & staff are doing their best.

8. WE CAN’T EVEN GO TO HIS WINDOW. All residents have ground floor rooms. In a Zoom meeting that's all families said they wanted to do.
But cause the home is owned by NY state & it’s on fed property, we are prohibited from entering the grounds.

9. I have NO idea what will be left of my father when or if we do get to see him again.

10. Currently at the Veterans Home
Approx 75 Covid positive residents
Approx 10 deaths.

I know other places have it worse.

11. Andrew Cuomo kept healthy family members out, but KNOWINGLY put Covid positive patients in.
What in God's name was the logic for admitting infected patients into nursing homes?!?
@andrewcuomo is a complete disgrace!

(picture from somewhere in NY State)

END