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AARP West Virginia Update
West Virginia Coronavirus Update Today Marks West Virginia's Expected Peak Day West Virginia has the potential to be the hardest hit state during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our citizens skew older, and have more chronic illnesses than other states in the country. The original projection data for infection rates, mortality rates, and demand for hospital beds and ventilators surging beyond our capabilites were grim. But, West Virginians have heeded warnings, social distanced, worked from home, and looked out for our most vulnerable neighbors. To that end, updated projection data from the University of Washington indicates that all of our contributions and sacrifices are working. The newest data suggests that West Virginia's peak will occur today, on Easter Sunday. The current prediction model suggests that we will only need 36 ventilators, and that our predicted number of deaths due to the coronovirus have gone down from over 500 to the current estimate of 74 predicted deaths. Dr. Clay Marsh, West Virginia's COVID-19/Coronavirus Czar, said that we are rapidly moving the prediction curve in the right direction and that West Virginians have the power to significantly reduce the effects of the pandemic in our state. "Every day, with every activity, with every decision, we are writing our story here in West Virginia." He went on to say that we are testing more people than the national average, and our case fatality rate is less than 1% versus the national average of over 3%. Dr. Marsh cautions "If we are in a football game, we are in about the first quarter...but this is a long game and what we need to start to do is to focus on continuing to be very committed to staying at home as much as we can, socially and physically distancing, protecting ourselves with not putting our hands around our mouth or our nose or our eyes, washing our hands well - because this is making a huge difference. What we will start to look for now is we'll start to look for a decrease in the number of positive cases that we are seeing over about a two week period...we will not be overwhelming the surge capacities of our health care centers. We have bought ourselves more time, we have protected the ones we love, and we are waiting for the medications that will treat this disease...we really encourage and urge you to continue to do exactly what you are doing now...don't let up."
Hero Pay for First Responders and Front Line Workers Working Through Pandemic and More Personnel to Process Unemployment Claims
Governor Justice announced block grants of $100,000 to each of the 55 West Virginia counties to be utilized to award "hero pay" for First Responders and Front Line Workers. The Governor explained that the counties could use the $5.5 million at their discretion. He stated "Those at the county level are the ones that need to make the real judgment on getting this money to the people who have been looking out for us in every way and thank them so much. It's the best and simplest way to handle it." The Governor also announced a Block Grant to the West Virginia National Guard so that $500 will be issued to each activated National Guard member that served during the pandemic. WorkForce West Virginia has been innundated with unemployment claims due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week with the assistance of West Virginia National Guard Members, the Workforce West Virginia call line began operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get the backlog of calls under control. Beginning Monday, April 13th, 60 additional temporary employees, 24 staff members from the Divsion of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, and 5 State Troopers will assist WorkForce West Virginia to process all the the backlogged claims. If you need to file for unemployment benefits, you can access the WorkForce West Virginia website to file for unemployment benefits here.
Domestic Violence and Child Welfare Assistance There has been concern that social distancing measures are creating a situation that exacerbates the possiblity of domestic abuse and child neglect. WV DHHR Secretary Crouch states "as we are staying home more, that certainly doesn't mean that we have to stay in an unsafe home. West Virginia services for victims of domestic violence are essential services. So those services will continue and they are still available." These services are being adjusted to be able to use audio visual services or audio services. Crisis counseling, assistance with resources, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, safety planning, accessing domestic violence protection orders, childrens services and more are available through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. Secretary Crouch emphasized "During this time of social distancing, it is vital that neighbors continue to look after each other. If you suspect any case of abuse or neglect of a child or a vulnerable adult, please report that to 1-800-352-6513." WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence - visit wvcadv.org National Domestic Violence Hotline - Call 1-800-799-7233 or visit www.thehotline.org DHHR Abuse/Neglect Hotline (Operates 24/7) - Call 1-800-352-6513 If you see something, report it at 1-800-352-6513
Face Coverings
The cloth face covering should:
Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age of two, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. A mask or cloth face covering does not replace social distancing.
Multi-Agency Effort to Create COVID-19 Surge Center A multi-agency effort established St. Francis Hospital in Charleston as a COVID-19 Surge Center in case other WV Hospitals are overwhelmed by patients with the coronavirus. Hospital beds and other needed equipment were transported from the former Fairmont Regional Medical Center to St. Francis Hospital to expand West Virginia's capabilities. The Division of Highways, State Police, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation supplied trucks. Personnel from those agencies and the West Virginia National Guard loaded, transported, and offloaded the equipment. The facility, which will be activated by the WV DHHR if needed, has an initial 36 bed capacity and can expand to 96 beds.
Local Health Departments An additional COVID-19 resource for West Virginians are their individual County Health Departments. As set out in West Virginia State Code, local boards of health are responsible for directing, supervising and carrying out matters relating to the public health of their respective communities. County Health Departments issue health advisories, restrictions, and quarantine orders - doing their part to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Over the course of two weeks, Governor Justice has issued four Executive Orders that designated eleven West Virginia counties as "hotspots" - and therefore areas where local Health Department officials now have broader powers to tighten restrictions to prevent further spread of COVID-19 across the state. The eleven counties include: Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan, Harrison, Kanawha, Monongalia, Marion, Cabell, Wayne, Wood and Ohio Counties. The provisions of the Executive Order include:
To find out more information about your County Health Department including current health advisories, restrictions and quarantine orders, use this link to access an interactive page at the WV DHHR's website - West Virginia County Health Departments
AARP West Virginia COVID-19 Resources to Keep You InformedUp-to-Date National, State and AARP COVID-19 Information
AARP West Virginia is working to provide you with up to date information and resources on topics that matter to you during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to continually monitor developments and keep you informed. Facebook Live Event - Scammers are doing what they always do - using the COVID-19 headlines as an opportunity. Whether it is selling fake COVID-19 Vaccines or scamming you with a fraudulent on-line purchase, these con men are relentless. Learn how to keep yourself and your family safe from these conment and fraudsters during a Facebook Live event with Seth Boffeli from AARP's Fraud Watch Network on April 16th. Check our Facebook page for more information. Teletown Halls - AARP West Virginia conducted a tele-townhall with West Virginia's senior U.S. Senator Joe Manchin for an hour long question and answer session regarding the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES Act) - the new $2.2 trillion economic stimulus program designed to fight the nationwide financial impact of the coronavirus on April 7th. If you missed this tele-townhall, or our first tele-townhall with Governor Jim Justice, Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Bill Crouch and State Public Health Officer Dr. Cathy Slemp, you can access the full recordings here. Continue to check our Facebook page for notice of future tele-townhalls. Resources for Military and Veterans Caregivers - While caring for a wounded, ill, or injured service member of Veterah may be one of the most challenging roles one will ever tackle, it also can be one of the most rewarding. Everyone's caregiving journey is unique, and Veterans and Military families have additional challenges they deal with every day, especially during a pandemic. For instance, many Military and Veteran caregivers are now hesitant to run basic errands, given the risk of being exposed themselves or bringing infection into their warrior's home. AARP is proud to support the 5.5 million Military and Veteran caregivers nationwide who deliver voluntary, uncompensated care for their wounded warriors every day. These hidden heroes need our help and AARP is continuing to step up our efforts to better serve family caregivers and their loved ones by offering free virtual programs, online resources including our Military Caregiving Guide. Additional Resources - We will continue to provide you with information and resources as the situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve - please check our webpage and Facebook page regularly for updated information. - AARP West Virginia COVID-19 Resource Page - a comprehensive reference list for national, state and AARP COVID-19 information and resources - AARP's up-to-date coronavirus resources at www.aarp.org/coronavirus. - The CDC website - www.cdc.gov/coronavirus - West Virginia Bureau for Public Health COVID-19 Information - Or call the State's toll-free COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-877-4304, Operators are available 24/7
Caregiving During a Pandemic Taking Care of Yourself and Your Loved One
"I like to say, every worry has a plan," says Denise Brown, an author, speaker and founder of Caregiving.com. "And if we're making plans, we're in action. And that makes us feel like something is within our control during a situation that's very much out of our control." Brown lives 10 minutes from her parents in the Chicago area, and is one of millions of caregivers dealing with the uncertainty and fear of harm amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She hears from famiies who are terrified that they will somehow expose their older relatives to the virus and cause them to get sick. Some feel constrained about leaving the house for fear they will bring the virus back home with them. Others are now reluctant to allow home health aides into their homes for the same reason. "I know I can do everything within my power, and something can still happen that I don't want to happen," Brown says. "I think it's trying to find that place where you say, " I think I've done everything" and still not have regrets that you could have done more. That's the big question for us, right? could I have done more?" she asks. Anxiety & Turning Fear Into Action - There is no magic bullet for calming our fears during these uncertain times. Elizabeth Eckstom M.D., lead geriatrician at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, says COVID-19 seems to be transmitted via droplets, and that's why hygiene is so imporant. "I am telling people, just turn that fear into washing your hands", she says. Even if you know you are practicing good hygiene, it's okay to question others who come into your home, she adds. "My best recommendation would be to follow the guidance for long-term care facilities," she says. "So have a little set-up stand at your front door. Check their temperature when they come in. Have them wash their hands really well as soon as they come in, and before they touch anything in your house. You turn the water on for them and make sure they wash their hands super well." Eckstrom says. " Ask then if they've had any cough or fever. If they do, don't let them in the door. Say, 'I'm so sorry, I need to send you back. We can't have anyone who's had a cough or a fever in the last two weeks. Those are the cardinal symptoms,'" she says. Stay Positive - "You know, people have been posting things like Shakespeare wrote King Lear while being isolated against the bubonic plague. I think Newton did some of his best work under isolation, so trying to see the silver lining - take the positive side, keep busy," says Kate Tulenko, M.D., CEO of Corvus Health, a global health-workforce-services firm based in Alexandria, Virginia. "And for some people, stay off the news and stay off social media. It's just whipping a lot of people up in a frenzy," Tulenko says. "decide your plan of action, that you are going to self-isolate, and stick to it. Don't check the news every 5 minutes. It's just going to get you anxious." Maintain Your Sanity - Olivia Kate Cerrone, a writer in Boston, just penned an essay about caring for her terminally ill father during the coronavirus outbreak in the Washington Post's online publication, The Lily. When people shared it online, many people in the same situation responded. "I wrote the piece because I felt that many folks might feel isolated or a heightened sense of anxiety in addition to just keeping up with normal life," she says. She wanted to articulate the nuances of the situation - and what you can do to find some kind of sanity in a situation that often feels like you have no control. For Cerrone and her mother, routines, lists, even medication and yard work keep them grounded in this chaotic time. Cerrone like to try to think of ways to be present with her 76-year old father, even if it means simply watching his favorite TV show with him. "It's so important to take everything moment by moment, day by day, and try to be as present as possible because we don't have all the control in the world, and it can be very scary," she says. "But if we take things and think OK, what do I have to do right now? What's immediate? That can really help someone feel grounded and not so overwhelmed." Talk to Someone - We may be isolated, but we don't have to be alone. Across the country, people are organizing online mutual aid groups to stay connected, share ideas, and help those in need. AARP Community Connections is a new website where you can connect with neighbors and friends. It offers steps to find or give help to others during the coronavirus pandemic. Whether you want to start a group, find a group, or even request a friendly call from one of our volunteers, we can help you connect with people in your community. You can hear from a friendly voice - request a phone call from an AARP volunteer, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm EST. If you are experiencing anxiety or emotional distress, you can find someone to speak with or tools to connect with others.
Reauthorizing the Older Americans ActMaintaining a Vital Safety NetPresident Trump has signed legislation to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA). The OAA was born in 1965 alongside its more famous siblings, Medicare and Medicaid, as part of a historic effort by lawmakers to take care of those over 65. The OAA has been a safety net, filling in the gaps left by Social Security and Medicare to help people live independant lives. Its seven primary sections provide for services like home-delivered and congregate meals, support for family caregivers, in home assistance, preventive health, transportation to medical appointments, protection from elder abuse, and job training. OAA programs helped about 11 million older adults live as independently as possible. In fiscal year 2019, OAA federal funding was $2.06 billion. AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond issued the following statement in response to the reauthorization of the OAA: "AARP applauds Congress for passing and the President for signing the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 which reauthorizes the OAA for five years. This reaffirms the vital role that the aging services network plays supporting older adults and their caregivers, including in response to the current coronavirus pandemic. Since 1965 the OAA has provided services for millions of older Americans, particularly low-income adults, allowing them to stay in their own homes and communities where they prefer to be. OAA programs provide family caregiver support, home-delivered meals, transportation, job training, and other services that enable older people to live independently and with dignity. We are particularly pleased that the Supporting Older Americans Act builds on the OAA by increasing funding levels for OAA programs, enhancing assistance for caregivers, and extending the bipartisan Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act by one year. Strengthening support for our nation's family caregivers will help them maintain their own health, well-being, and ability to provide care, enable better outcomes for their loved ones, and prevent or delay costly nursing home placement. And, at a time when the older population is projected to grow significantly, increased funding levels will help more older adults remain at home and in better health, avoiding costlier services."
We Must Support Rural HealthcareIn each issue of the AARP West Virginia Update, we feature an article submitted by a guest commentator. The focus of this issue's article is on the fight to support rural healthcare during the COVID-19 crisis, and was submitted by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, West Virginia's Senior Senator.
Supporting Rural Healthcare
Rural hospitals and healthcare providers throughout West Virginia are the first line of defense in the communities they serve. Already, our rural healthcare providers often operate on shoestring budgets to provide the best possible care to the populations they serve. As we fight the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot allow these rural hospitals and providers to close. That's why I've been advocating for dedicated funding for our rural healthcare providers and increased telehealth options to fill the void throughout this uncertain time. I urged officials at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on several occasions to increase support for rural healthcare providers. I led a bipartisan letter with 19 of my Senate colleagues urging HHS to use my formula to prioritize funding for rural providers and providers with high percentages of Medicaid and Medicare patients as they distribute the remainder of the $100 billion in healthcare funding I fought for in the CARES Act. Without a change to the formula, West Virginia will continue to get pennies on the dollar. Our healthcare providers got less than 1% of the first $30 billion. That's unacceptable. I also called on Senate leadership to clarify that the intent of the CARES Act was to allow publicly owned hospitals to apply for Paycheck Protection Program loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA). A number of rural hospitals across West Virginia have been told by SBA they are not eligible. If the Administration cannot or will not fix this on their own, this must be fixed in the next legislative package. Our rural hospitals cannot afford to wait, and we cannot afford to let them close their doors during this pandemic. I also spoke with HHS Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan on the phone last week and asked him to move faster to issue guidance on from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the implementation of audio-only telehealth services. As we encourage social distancing to slow the spread of the virus, telehealth services are becoming more vital than ever to keep our communities healthy and safe. In many areas of West Virginia, we lack reliable broadband coverage so audio-only telehealth is our only option. West Virginians are strong and we will get through this together. I will do my part by continuing to fight to ensure every rural healthcare provider in our state has the resources they need to provide the best care possible to serve the patients in their communities.
For More Information about the WV Legislature:
The Official website for the WV State Legislature Track a Bill's progress in the House and Senate
For the latest developments on AARP West Virginia's advocacy work at the West Virginia State Capitol, connect with us online:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AARPWestVirginia
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The CDC now recommends that you wear a cloth face covering in public settings. Face coverings are especially important where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g. grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. There are several reasons to wear a face covering whenever you are out - some are for self-protection and others are to protect others that you come in contact with and to help to fight the community spread of the virus. One of the ways that wearing a face covering helps you protect yourself is that the face covering helps you avoid touching your nose and mouth. Wearing a face covering helps slow the spread of the virus - by helping those who have the virus and do not know it keep from transmitting it to others.
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