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"I'm worried, honey. I think I have one of the symptoms. If anything happens to me..... I miss you so much. I'll talk to you hopefully later."
-Howard Conyack, 81, crying on a voicemail to his daughter as #COVID19 claimed life after life at his vets home. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/10/07/nj-veterans-home-covid-left-marine-terrified-last-days/5858020002/
-Howard Conyack, 81, crying on a voicemail to his daughter as #COVID19 claimed life after life at his vets home. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/10/07/nj-veterans-home-covid-left-marine-terrified-last-days/5858020002/
Howard was never officially listed among the 62 COVID-19 victims even though he died of respiratory failure during the pandemic.
So we asked how many "probable cases" were at the home. @LindyWa and I were shocked when officials got back to us last week: https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/10/01/nj-begins-probe-veterans-homes-where-190-died-covid-19/5872331002/
So we asked how many "probable cases" were at the home. @LindyWa and I were shocked when officials got back to us last week: https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/10/01/nj-begins-probe-veterans-homes-where-190-died-covid-19/5872331002/
My colleague @LindyWa and I have been covering the tragedy and disaster at New Jersey's veterans homes at Paramus and Menlo Park for almost six months.
Why were these homes hit so hard?
We asked for & received a trove of documents.
Here's what they show: https://www.njherald.com/story/news/2020/08/06/new-details-reveal-how-paramus-veterans-home-became-worst-of-worst-during-pandemic/42255691/
Why were these homes hit so hard?
We asked for & received a trove of documents.
Here's what they show: https://www.njherald.com/story/news/2020/08/06/new-details-reveal-how-paramus-veterans-home-became-worst-of-worst-during-pandemic/42255691/
Unfortunately, Howard's story is not unusual.
We've documented the final days of many veterans in these homes.
This is Tom Mastropietro. His ID was mixed up w/ another resident. Nurses told his family he was recovering. Tom had been dead for hours. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/04/17/nj-family-told-dad-paramus-home-recovering-he-already-dead/5138281002/
We've documented the final days of many veterans in these homes.
This is Tom Mastropietro. His ID was mixed up w/ another resident. Nurses told his family he was recovering. Tom had been dead for hours. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/04/17/nj-family-told-dad-paramus-home-recovering-he-already-dead/5138281002/
The guilt these families feel is overwhelming.
This is Vernon Peck, a Vietnam War vet.
His daughter told him she was sorry she couldn't save him.
It was the last thing she ever said to him as he lay dying from COVID-19. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/04/21/families-coronavirus-victims-speak-out-breakdowns-nj-veterans-homes-paramus-menlo-park-vineland/5153023002/
This is Vernon Peck, a Vietnam War vet.
His daughter told him she was sorry she couldn't save him.
It was the last thing she ever said to him as he lay dying from COVID-19. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/04/21/families-coronavirus-victims-speak-out-breakdowns-nj-veterans-homes-paramus-menlo-park-vineland/5153023002/
And it wasn't just the residents.
This is Monemise Romelus, 61, a nurses' aide at Menlo Park.
Her son said she wasn't provided the mask, face shield, gloves and gowns to treat patients.
Yet she did. And died for it. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/05/14/nj-coronavirus-menlo-park-veterans-home-aid-monemise-romelus-dies/5189750002/
This is Monemise Romelus, 61, a nurses' aide at Menlo Park.
Her son said she wasn't provided the mask, face shield, gloves and gowns to treat patients.
Yet she did. And died for it. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/05/14/nj-coronavirus-menlo-park-veterans-home-aid-monemise-romelus-dies/5189750002/
So what does this all add up to?
NJ has had 2 veterans homes that have a combined 190 resident deaths - fully 1/3rd of the population b4 the pandemic.
@GovMurphy has spent months saying there will be a "full accounting."
We don't know what that means. https://www.njherald.com/story/news/2020/08/25/tale-of-two-states-massachusetts-took-swift-action-on-veterans-home-disaster-while-nj-dithers/113538604/
NJ has had 2 veterans homes that have a combined 190 resident deaths - fully 1/3rd of the population b4 the pandemic.
@GovMurphy has spent months saying there will be a "full accounting."
We don't know what that means. https://www.njherald.com/story/news/2020/08/25/tale-of-two-states-massachusetts-took-swift-action-on-veterans-home-disaster-while-nj-dithers/113538604/
