NURSING HOMES BLUES

Despite the clear evidence, since Italy reported it in April, the average age of people who were dying from COVID-19 was 80.

The CDC states on its website those who are at risk of dying from the virus: 

“Among adults, the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. Severe illness means that the person with COVID-19 may require hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help them breathe, or they may even die.”

And yet, while governors continue to impose harsh restrictions on their citizens, they are failing to provide adequate support to the elderly in nursing facilities who are among the most vulnerable. According to data from the American Health Care Association (AHCA), nursing homes experienced an almost 80 percent rise in cases over the summer.

Particularly alarming are facts revealed by elder care advocates such as Mark Parkinson, President of the National Center for Assisted Living. Mr. Parkinson said, “With the recent major spikes of COVID cases in many states across the country, we were very concerned this trend would lead to an increase in cases in nursing homes and unfortunately it has. This is especially troubling since many nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are still unable to acquire the personal protective equipment.”

The failures of political leaders to provide adequate support to nursing homes will have long-lasting effects. A new survey from U.S. nursing homes from the AHCA revealed over half of all facilities are operating at a loss.

Citing lack of financial support from government funding, over 70 percent of nursing homes reported they could not stay open for another year without additional funds to hire more staff and purchase essential protective equipment. Forty percent said without immediate help, they likely would be forced to close within six months.

TRENDPOST: Despite the hard facts and scientific data that, across the globe, the highest percentage of those who died from the virus were from elder care homes… schools are closed down, young people are not allowed to socialize or party, and a list of capacity regulations persist that have sucked the joy out of life and the profits of businesses.

Politicians and the vast majority of the public ignore these facts and those from the CDC, which we reported last week, stating 94 percent of those who died from the virus had underlying health conditions.

TREND FORECAST: As polls show, vast majorities are both compliant and in agreement with government imposed lockdown rules. With the exception of a few countries, the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Canada, France, etc., there are no major ongoing demonstrations against the draconian regulations that have dramatically altered everyday life. And in countries such as Australia, the police crackdowns on protesters have been harsh… even before they took to the streets.