“I find little solace in the report commissioned by Governor Baker regarding the Holyoke Soldiers Home or even the subsequent press conference. While I generally concur with the findings, there is no amount of reporting, resignations, or renovations that will bring back the heroes we have lost. We know today what those responsible for caring for our veterans should have known back in March, that the novel Coronavirus is a danger to our community, especially the elderly and those with preexisting conditions. The lack of preparation for dealing with this virus is inexcusable.
My hope is that we can honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice by vastly improving the quality of care for those in need. Not only is the Soldiers Home building in need of an upgrade; the way our state and country approaches health care needs an upgrade too. I have never heard a complaint about the nurses, CNA’s or other frontline workers who cared for these veterans, yet they are the ones who are constantly overworked, underpaid, and the first to be let go when the budget gets tight. If we spent even a fraction of what we pay to send soldiers to war on caring for them when they get home, these tragedies would be far less likely to occur in the first place.”