Did you know that VA has a plan to keep patients safe as COVID levels change? VA will always provide maximum, consistent access to quality and safe care during the ups and downs of COVID-19 community spread.
The health and safety of patients and staff continues to be VA’s highest priority. The care will be consistent, and our safety protocols will increase or decrease based on COVID-19 levels in the community.
VA has developed a COVID-19 plan to provide transparent and flexible guidelines for your VA medical center.
It will:
- Help you and VA staff know what to expect when entering a facility;
- Welcome you into a facility for the medical care you need and deserve.
Three Health Protection Levels
Starting May 23, VA will roll out three standardized VA COVID-19 Health Protection Levels:
- Low;
- Medium;
- High.
This sign will be on our doors.
These levels echo the other Federal agencies such as CDC and OSHA:
- Each COVID-19 Health Protection Level will include information on masking, PPE, screening, testing, visitation, physical distancing, group care/therapy, and staffing, among other topics.
- Every week, we will monitor the local level based on CDC’s Community Transmission rate and update our COVID-19 Health Protection Levels when needed. Any changes will be announced on Mondays.
- We will notify Veterans and staff of the COVID-19 Health Protection Level signs at all facility entrances, and we will be updating levels on local facility websites and with social media.
- Transparent communications will make it easy for Veterans, staff, and visitors to know what to expect when they arrive at our facility.
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Finding out the precautions needed ahead of time is invaluable to me and others. Before I go I’m going to call. But call who?
I’m grateful for the shots I received, and grateful for outpatient care TriWest/VA pays for, and my primary care team. However, too often committees and juggernaut Admin make decisions that complicate good healthcare for the end user (yes, the ones the VA says is their #1 commitment).
It took them 4 years to determine my condition was the result of a brainstem stroke, and yet they still list it as “self-reported”. Phooey, the lead neuro-surgeon at Audie Murphy gave me the news. Don’t tell me that’s “self-reported”.
People saying they have gotten the vaccine shot as well as 2 booster shots and still got COVID and say just wear the mask and basically blindly follow what the Government tells you makes me wonder how they can’t question what they have been told because if the vaccine works why did they still get COVID, even after receiving 2 booster shots?
its better to be safe then to die
Fortune favors the prepared as the saying goes, which means training. If masks serve to protect others, then serving up no win scenarios only serves to make us all losers. If we love those with whom we serve, then caution should always demonstrate that underlying desire to protect.
Are spouses covered in our VA Plans?
I am constantly surprised at the steady flow of anti-masking comments, especially if these comments are from veterans, who are trained to be part of a team, where every soldier or sailor does what is needed to help his buddy in distress. Complaints about “losing my freedom” or “enough is enough” or “it’s all bullsht”, etc., etc., simply reveal how selfish, self centered, and dumb those people are , thinking only about themselves. Their stubborness and insistence in not masking, distancing, etc, is the main reason for the surge in infections. Studies show that when people relax precautions, levels rise. Public safety is far more important than your freedom!! What good is your freedom or your family’s freedom if you’re dead??? Wake up and smell the coffee, dummies!!!
I would like some info on a burial plot for a Vietnam veteran
There are those who speak first, then THINK. There are those who THINK first then speak. Which do you think is the more intelligent?
Which group do you belong with?
I’m actually shocked at the amount of it’s all about me responses from military personnel and family when we all know no policy in the military is ever about the individual, it’s always about the entire unit or squad. The bitterness about wearing a mask and social distancing for themselves and everyone else is just mind-boggling. As for dodging bullets, you can’t dodge disease the same way, you have to take precautions like vaccines and follow the mitigation guidelines such as masking, social distancing and isolating when necessary. I guess you’re one of those who would refuse to get to MOPP4 because it infringes on your freedoms, is spreading paranoia and you can’t breathe?
Trying to understand how exactly wearing a mask and social distancing infringes on your freedom at all??? Please make it clear for those of us who understand we don’t exist in a vacuum and what freedoms are you losing by wearing a mask and social distancing during a pandemic that has become endemic in order to minimize death and the contraction of disease? You do know that many allergy sufferers also wear mask don’t you because it prevents severe allergic reactions outdoors, but carry on because you’re apparently losing whatever freedoms and are being made to live in fear of a virus that kills. Ok then, keep that energy!
I can´t believe there are so many ungrateful fellow vets who reject the VA’s goodwill trying to keep us safe and healthy in regards to COVID…
Tired of the heartless anti-masking comments. Most people are. You don’t get to tell the VA what the policy should be when they serve thousands of veterans with varying degrees of being immuno- compromised. Stop being so selfish. The world a pandemic disease now endemic doesn’t revolve around your need to disregard science, facts and others.
Why aren’t veterans located/living overseas contacted by their locally assigned medical facilities about Covid vaccinations/updates?
Will there be another booster shot available thru the VA?
Useless information. If you are going to put up restrictions you need to publish the trigger points and the resulting restrictions. Many of us drive many miles and need a helper. We need to know what to expect before we get to the appointment. Enough of this paranoid thinking. We have been smart enough to duck bullets for our government so stop treating us like infants. Just give me the facts and let me decide.
I agree with your statement. We don’t drive as far as Some do to get to the VA hospital but it would be good to know before we go what the status is. They don’t have a problem sending us emails to tell us useless information about our prescription shipments. Why can’t they send us an email to tell us the status at the hospitals. I’m so over Covid!
A face covered is “danger” to vets. Creates MORE PTSD and paranoia.
Agree with George.
The VA is pandering…probably to a unionized workforce.
STOP this stupidity.
Some people are just selfish and stupid. Common sense says wearing a mask reduces the transmission of a virus and the wearer is less likely to become infected. Why does a Surgeon wear a mask? I am a 90 year old Korean War vet with COPD. I will wear a mask in many situations and hope those around me are interested in my continued existence. I’m safer if they wear a mask. Masks make sense in the fall to reduce seasonal flu.
i’m married to and take care of 100% disabled veteran. Whenever possible I fight and support the care given to all veterans. Mask may be a slight deterrent to spreading germs. But not all. When I wear a mask I also wear glasses. If my mask is fogging my glasses which it does then it’s not stopping the spread of germs. We do need some type of protection no doubt. And it’s unkind to call others that disagree with your opinion just plain selfish and stupid.
Enough of this crap lift the covid bull crap people are tired of it period
I totally agree with the bullsht with the mask in the entry interviews before you enter the hospital or clinics it’s a step back and back and put the work so we don’t have to wait so long in between appointments because that’s what’s happening right now. George, I agree with you totally!!
The SIMPLETON above needs to consider other Veterans who may not be as well as he. A mask is a very easy, barely invasive way to think about others.
I think it’s a great idea — Thank-you
Hey you got to do what you got to do . Just hang in there .
What ever.
Thank You
Amen!
After two shots and the booster I felt that wearing a mask was overkill. Last Sunday I tested positive for Covid. Yesterday I received an IV for it. I’ll be wearing a mask again as soon as I’m allowed to go out.
Ditto George. DROP THE MASK, I CAN’T BREATHE AS IT IS AND THAT GIVES ME PANIC ATTACKS WHEN MY AIR FLOW IS BLOCKED.
I am thankful for the care I get through the VA.
I also appreciate your diligence in keeping us all safe, both staff and patient!
Thank You
You want transparent communication? Then how about I tell you just how stupid you’re being forcing us to wear masks.
Thank you for keeping us safe.
I am totally surprised to read the fear of Covid-19 remains so high. I’ll bring my mask with me as I have been doing.
I agree with George. Enough is enough.
Thank you for helping protect those who are vulnerable. Much appreciated.
Where and when can I get my second booster shot at the VA or CVS or Walgreens? Please let me know
Most CVS and Walgreens are pretty much walk-in for Booster shots now, plus the VA wouldn’t be able to determine or set guidance for CVS or Walgreens. Just call your local pharmacy.
Excellent Covid protection measures….
Enough of the mask bullsht. It time to get back to life and stop treating us like sheep!!!
I agree George. Unless one is visiting a really sick person in the hospital like intensive care then the mask stuff and so called social distancing is just spreaqding paranoia,
I agree 100% with you George. They are desperately attempting to keep fear front and center and freedom at bay.
Hey, you should think about other veterans and less about yourself.
I GOT 4 SHOTS FOR THE COVID THRU THE VA AND IS VERY THANKFUL FOR ALL MY MED HELP AND I STILL THINK IT IS A GOOD POLICY TO WEAR A MASK
WHEN YOU ARE TOLD SO ESP OUT OF YOUR HOME THANK YOU VA FOR ALL YOUR HELP
RAY HELSEL5/31/22
Read my comment based on yours.