A report by the Flemish Ombudsman Service publishes harrowing testimonials of how the corona crisis struck in residential care centers. The opposition targets Minister of Welfare Wouter Beke (CD&V). “It’s time for him to draw his conclusions.”
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A report by the Flemish Ombudsman Service with testimonials from residents and employees of residential care centers once again underlines the drama that took place during the corona crisis. The report was presented on Friday in the ad hoc committee of the Flemish Parliament that is investigating the approach to the pandemic. Sciensano, the knowledge center that assists the government in the health crisis, estimates that about 60 percent of the Flemish fatalities fell in rest homes.
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I saw on TV that green services have better convenience to fight caterpillars than we do to Covid.
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The chaos becomes clear in the anonymous testimonials. “We were not allowed to tell the outside world that there were covid infections in order not to get a bad name,” says a health care professional. The lack of masks is obvious. “I was very scared, also about the protection material. The packages feel very floppy, especially compared to what they wear in the hospital. I saw on TV that the greenery has better convenience – those white suits – to fight caterpillars than we do to Covid, ”says a health care provider.
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In addition, due to the strict rules, many people have died without a family, sometimes in inhuman conditions. “There was never a visit to the resident, except when the palliative sedation happened: two people were allowed to stay for half an hour, but even then the resident had not died. At that time, a body bag was already underneath, so that it could be quickly zipped up without risking contamination. The resident knew she was alone and dying. She felt very alone. It was a very difficult moment for me, ”says a health care professional.
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I’m considering quitting my job because I don’t have the resources to provide good care.