VA NEWS:
Flu Season Early Start
FLU PREVENTION Update 05: Flu season is off to its earliest start
in nearly 10 years - and it could be a bad one. Health officials on 3
DEC said suspected flu cases have jumped in five southern
states, and the primary strain circulating is one that tends to make
people sicker, especially the elderly. "It looks like it's shaping up to be a bad
flu season, but only time will tell," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, the director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The good news is the nation
seems to be fairly well prepared, Frieden said. More than a third of Americans
have been vaccinated, and the vaccine is well matched to the strains of flu
seen so far, CDC officials said. Higher-than-normal reports of flu have come in
from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. An uptick in flu
cases like this usually doesn't occur until after Christmas. It's not clear why
the flu is showing up so early. But flu-related hospitalizations are rising earlier
than usual, and there have already been two flu-related deaths in children. In
fact the last time a typical flu season started this early was the winter of 2003-
04. That also happened to be a year when the dominant flu type was the same
one seen most widely this year. And in that year, there were a higher-than-
usual number of flu-related deaths in both the elderly and children. One key
difference: In 2003-04, the flu vaccine was a poor match to the flu strain.
Another: There's more vaccine now, and flu vaccination rates have risen for
the general public and for key groups like pregnant women and health care
workers. In all, an estimated 112 million Americans have been vaccinated so
far, the CDC said. Flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone who is 6
months of age or older. [Source: VAMC Houston | AP | 3 Dec 2012 ++]
*********************************
DAV Transportation Network
VA TRANSPORTATION: In recent years travel benefit cuts left many vets with
no way to get to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities for
needed treatment. They're men and women who answered our country's call
in times of war. Many lost limbs, sight, hearing, or good health. They may live a
great distance from a VA hospital, and because so many exist on small fixed
incomes, they find that the cost of transportation to a VA hospital is just too
high. They're left with two choices. They could go without the treatment they
need, or skimp on food or other necessities to pay for transportation. The
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization feels vets disabled in our
nation's service should never face such dire options. So DAV and Auxiliary
volunteers respond, with a program that started in 1986, driving vets to and
from VA hospitals and clinics. The DAV has also donated vans, where needed,
to make the program work. It's all part of the DAV Transportation Network,
administered by DAV Hospital Service Coordinators (HSCs) at the VA's 172
medical centers. The DAV has 189 Hospital Service Coordinators around the
country who coordinate the transportation needs for disabled veterans.
The DAV in Omaha is seeking volunteers to round out a current driving crew
that because of age, illness and — this time of year — snowbird tendencies
can't pull all the weekday eight-hour shifts. It also needs new vehicles to
replace the four Ford minivans and one Ford Explorer that have too many
years and miles on them to be reliable. The aging vehicles are such an issue
statewide, where commutes are longer and cross state borders, that the
Disabled American Veterans of Nebraska plans a springtime fundraiser in
hopes of replacing its fleet. Getting new vehicles is not a simple process. The
cars must be Ford, owing to a longtime partnership between the DAV and
Ford Motor Co., which provides discounted vehicles. The Department of
Veterans Affairs then owns the vehicles and pays for fuel and maintenance.
Ford no longer makes a minivan, which is the vehicle of choice for Richard
Klinger, who oversees the Omaha effort. Minivans, he said, are easier to get in
and out of than SUVs. Ford also offers a 12-passenger van, its Explorer SUV
and the Edge, a midsize crossover that can seat five. “I'm thinking if we could
get our hands on two of the Edges, it might help,” said Klinger, a decorated
Vietnam War Air Force veteran who serves as the DAV's transportation
coordinator. He also is a hospital services coordinator.
There is a growing demand for the service, and Klinger would like to expand
shuttle hours. Currently, volunteer shifts run from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The local
DAV can't serve veterans whose appointments run after that. In Omaha,
vehicles are used to shuttle city-dwelling, qualifying vets to and from the VA
Medical Center at 41st Street and Woolworth Avenue. The five vehicles
together log 15,000 to 20,000 miles a month and all but one of the vehicles has
more than 100,000 miles on it. “We've got one van that's 262,000 miles on it
now,” Klinger said. Out state, DAV shuttle commutes are fewer but longer. A
daily shuttle runs veterans from North Platte to Grand Island. A twice-a-week
shuttle takes vets from Scottsbluff to Rapid, City, S.D., and to Cheyenne, Wyo.
There are also shuttles into Kansas and Iowa. Supporters of this program in
Omaha can call Rich Klinger, 402-995-3453 to volunteer as drivers. Volunteers
must pass background and driving tests, as well as complete a physical. You
can send DAV an email via https://www.dav.org/feedback.aspx. to volunteer
elsewhere in the U.S. or to assist in purchasing replacement vehicles. To see
if transportation services are available in your area use the DAV Hospital
Service Coordinator Directory http://www.dav.org/volunteers/...
nts/HSCDirectory.pdf to contact your nearest HSC for information or
assistance. Not that that the Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is
unable to cover every community. [Source: Omaha World-Herald | Erin Grace |
2 Dec 2012 ++]
Flu Season Early Start
FLU PREVENTION Update 05: Flu season is off to its earliest start
in nearly 10 years - and it could be a bad one. Health officials on 3
DEC said suspected flu cases have jumped in five southern
states, and the primary strain circulating is one that tends to make
people sicker, especially the elderly. "It looks like it's shaping up to be a bad
flu season, but only time will tell," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, the director of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The good news is the nation
seems to be fairly well prepared, Frieden said. More than a third of Americans
have been vaccinated, and the vaccine is well matched to the strains of flu
seen so far, CDC officials said. Higher-than-normal reports of flu have come in
from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. An uptick in flu
cases like this usually doesn't occur until after Christmas. It's not clear why
the flu is showing up so early. But flu-related hospitalizations are rising earlier
than usual, and there have already been two flu-related deaths in children. In
fact the last time a typical flu season started this early was the winter of 2003-
04. That also happened to be a year when the dominant flu type was the same
one seen most widely this year. And in that year, there were a higher-than-
usual number of flu-related deaths in both the elderly and children. One key
difference: In 2003-04, the flu vaccine was a poor match to the flu strain.
Another: There's more vaccine now, and flu vaccination rates have risen for
the general public and for key groups like pregnant women and health care
workers. In all, an estimated 112 million Americans have been vaccinated so
far, the CDC said. Flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone who is 6
months of age or older. [Source: VAMC Houston | AP | 3 Dec 2012 ++]
*********************************
DAV Transportation Network
VA TRANSPORTATION: In recent years travel benefit cuts left many vets with
no way to get to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities for
needed treatment. They're men and women who answered our country's call
in times of war. Many lost limbs, sight, hearing, or good health. They may live a
great distance from a VA hospital, and because so many exist on small fixed
incomes, they find that the cost of transportation to a VA hospital is just too
high. They're left with two choices. They could go without the treatment they
need, or skimp on food or other necessities to pay for transportation. The
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization feels vets disabled in our
nation's service should never face such dire options. So DAV and Auxiliary
volunteers respond, with a program that started in 1986, driving vets to and
from VA hospitals and clinics. The DAV has also donated vans, where needed,
to make the program work. It's all part of the DAV Transportation Network,
administered by DAV Hospital Service Coordinators (HSCs) at the VA's 172
medical centers. The DAV has 189 Hospital Service Coordinators around the
country who coordinate the transportation needs for disabled veterans.
The DAV in Omaha is seeking volunteers to round out a current driving crew
that because of age, illness and — this time of year — snowbird tendencies
can't pull all the weekday eight-hour shifts. It also needs new vehicles to
replace the four Ford minivans and one Ford Explorer that have too many
years and miles on them to be reliable. The aging vehicles are such an issue
statewide, where commutes are longer and cross state borders, that the
Disabled American Veterans of Nebraska plans a springtime fundraiser in
hopes of replacing its fleet. Getting new vehicles is not a simple process. The
cars must be Ford, owing to a longtime partnership between the DAV and
Ford Motor Co., which provides discounted vehicles. The Department of
Veterans Affairs then owns the vehicles and pays for fuel and maintenance.
Ford no longer makes a minivan, which is the vehicle of choice for Richard
Klinger, who oversees the Omaha effort. Minivans, he said, are easier to get in
and out of than SUVs. Ford also offers a 12-passenger van, its Explorer SUV
and the Edge, a midsize crossover that can seat five. “I'm thinking if we could
get our hands on two of the Edges, it might help,” said Klinger, a decorated
Vietnam War Air Force veteran who serves as the DAV's transportation
coordinator. He also is a hospital services coordinator.
There is a growing demand for the service, and Klinger would like to expand
shuttle hours. Currently, volunteer shifts run from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The local
DAV can't serve veterans whose appointments run after that. In Omaha,
vehicles are used to shuttle city-dwelling, qualifying vets to and from the VA
Medical Center at 41st Street and Woolworth Avenue. The five vehicles
together log 15,000 to 20,000 miles a month and all but one of the vehicles has
more than 100,000 miles on it. “We've got one van that's 262,000 miles on it
now,” Klinger said. Out state, DAV shuttle commutes are fewer but longer. A
daily shuttle runs veterans from North Platte to Grand Island. A twice-a-week
shuttle takes vets from Scottsbluff to Rapid, City, S.D., and to Cheyenne, Wyo.
There are also shuttles into Kansas and Iowa. Supporters of this program in
Omaha can call Rich Klinger, 402-995-3453 to volunteer as drivers. Volunteers
must pass background and driving tests, as well as complete a physical. You
can send DAV an email via https://www.dav.org/feedback.aspx. to volunteer
elsewhere in the U.S. or to assist in purchasing replacement vehicles. To see
if transportation services are available in your area use the DAV Hospital
Service Coordinator Directory http://www.dav.org/volunteers/...
nts/HSCDirectory.pdf to contact your nearest HSC for information or
assistance. Not that that the Network is staffed by volunteers; therefore, it is
unable to cover every community. [Source: Omaha World-Herald | Erin Grace |
2 Dec 2012 ++]
| Dave Barker has helped thousands of veterans receive their benefits they have coming to them. He has served in every asspect of the AMVETS and has started several post. He has written numerous books on issues that effect our veterans. He has an office in Chillicothee at Fame in Columbus, OH. He is a hero in the eyes of many veterans who have received their benefits. We invite you to visit Dave's web site at http://davebarker.portalone.us |
| Keeping You Informed! |
| Veterans Helping Veterans & Others Newsletter |
| DAVE BARKER REPORT |
| Click here for Page #2. |
| Dave Barker |
Your local Fayette County Veterans Service Office may be reached at:. VSC 740-353
1477 Here are contacts in Washington DC: Honorable Rob Portman, 524 Hart
Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, (202) 224-3353 Fax: (202) 228-1382
and 37 West Broad Street, Suite 300 Columbus, OH 43215, Casework Hotline:
1-800-205-OHIO, Honorable Sherrod Brown, you can contact Senator Brown in his
Senate office at: U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown. U.S. Senate. Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 228-4061 (fax).
1477 Here are contacts in Washington DC: Honorable Rob Portman, 524 Hart
Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, (202) 224-3353 Fax: (202) 228-1382
and 37 West Broad Street, Suite 300 Columbus, OH 43215, Casework Hotline:
1-800-205-OHIO, Honorable Sherrod Brown, you can contact Senator Brown in his
Senate office at: U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown. U.S. Senate. Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 228-4061 (fax).
