Thank you to Harold J for sharing this with us.  

Honorable Governor Charlie Baker

Subject: COVID 19 Deaths at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

The Disabled American Veterans Department of Massachusetts is devastated to hear of the recent and ongoing deaths at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home due to COVID 19. We understand the challenging circumstances COVID 19 presents to healthcare providers. But we find it totally unacceptable that proper precautions were not taken at this facility. We have heard disturbing details that illustrate a total disregard for the health and safety of the veterans being cared for at the facility. Our veterans deserve better.

The DAV Department of Massachusetts demands a full investigation. Those responsible must be held accountable. The lack of oversight and intervention at the soldiers’ home is inexcusable. At this time of unprecedented risk for elderly veterans the Department of Veterans Services should have been on the ground at the soldiers' homes ensuring that proper precautions were being taken and that the staff had all necessary equipment and supplies. Instead, the Department was nowhere to be found while veterans were left to die. At this time, we have no confidence in the Department of Veterans Services ability to oversee the soldiers’ home or offer other vital services to the veterans of the Commonwealth.

This incident represents a catastrophic failure of leadership at the highest level of our veteran services. We hope that your administration will make swift changes at all levels of the Department of Veteran Services and the Holyoke Soldiers Home. We must ensure the most fragile of the Commonwealths Veterans are not neglected during this disaster. We implore you to make the necessary changes to ensure that our most vulnerable veterans are protected from this invisible enemy and that there are no more preventable deaths or infections.