While Thousands Protested Freely, My Grandmother Died Alone During Lockdown

[mystery-ak]

 While Thousands Protested Freely, My Grandmother Died Alone During Lockdown

Policies put in place during the coronavirus lockdowns barred unnumerable families from saying goodbye to their loved ones. Our stories are heartbreaking.

By Mia Cathell
June 19, 2020

“Don’t worry,” the mob said, “Grandma is safer than ever.”

Except my grandmother wasn’t. She died “recovering” in a skilled nursing facility a week-and-a-half after a fall at home broke her neck. From walking and talking, my 88-year-old grandmother deteriorated into a catatonic state in quarantine. Her family was instructed to socially distance for her health and safety.

As my home state of Pennsylvania reopens under Gov. Tom Wolf’s phasing process, visitation restrictions in senior living facilities remain in effect for 28 additional days following a county’s entrance to the “Green Phase.”

“The [care] provider should be creative in ways that assist the individual to remain in contact with family and friends and feel comfortable with the method of communication,” the state’s Department of Human Services noted in a June press release.

DHS recommended a few creative ways the elderly can communicate with their loved ones while adhering to government social distancing guidelines. Among these suggestions were “window interactions,” “glass door viewings,” using virtual assistance such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home, and video calls through FaceTime, Zoom meetings, Skype, and Facebook Messenger.

more
https://thefederalist.com/2020/06/19/while-thousands-protested-freely-my-grandmother-died-alone-during-lockdown/