SOCIAL/CULTURAL

VT Told Ya’ So: 68 Dead (so far) at Mass. Veterans Home

Daily Beast: COVID-19 has killed nearly a third of the veterans who lived at Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, Massachusetts—and dozens more are infected. The Boston Globe reports that as of Monday afternoon the toll stood at 67, more than any other long-term care facility in New York, New Jersey, or New England. Eighty-three have contracted the new coronavirus, and 43 of those residents are now hospitalized. Only 106 of the original 226 patients remain at Soldiers’ Home, which is now the target of four investigations into how the response to the initial cases was botched.

“Governor Charlie Baker said that he did not know about the outbreak until March 29, by which point several veterans had died from the disease and scores more had been infected. Baker has said that he was “appalled” by the lack of reporting from the facility and that his office moved quickly to deploy the National Guard after learning of the situation. He quickly placed superintendent Bennett Walsh on paid administrative leave.

But Walsh, who was appointed by Baker in May 2016 to oversee the facility, disputes the governor’s account. He said he provided daily updates to state officials, including his direct supervisor, Department of Veterans Services Secretary Francisco Urena, after the first veteran tested positive and he requested additional staff support as the virus spread. Urena has declined to comment on the outbreak.

The crisis has prompted four separate investigations by Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey, the federal Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, and State Inspector General Glenn Cuhna. The latter is a continuation of an unrelated investigation launched by the state watchdog at the end of January and expanded to include the circumstances leading to the coronavirus crisis. It is unclear what initially prompted the initial investigation.”

VT Told Ya’ So: 68 Dead (so far) at Mass. Veterans Home

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Gordon Duff

Gordon Duff is a Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War. He is a disabled veteran and has worked on veterans and POW issues for decades. Gordon is an accredited diplomat and is generally accepted as one of the top global intelligence specialists. He manages the world's largest private intelligence organization and regularly consults with governments challenged by security issues. He’s a senior editor and chairman of the board of Veterans Today, especially for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook.” Duff has traveled extensively, is published around the world and is a regular guest on TV and radio in more than "several" countries. He is also a trained chef, wine enthusiast, avid motorcyclist and gunsmith specializing in historical weapons and restoration. Business experience and interests are in energy and defense technology.

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