———- IMMEDIATE RELEASE ———

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Medina County Veterans Service Office

SUBJECT: A message from the Director in response to COVID-19

DURATION: Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020 through TBD

As you are all aware the State of Ohio has taken measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 in order to reduce or flatten the number of those contracting the virus and needing medical care all at once. This is so our medical system here does not become overburdened and can take care of the most serious ill patients over a manageable period of time.

Social distancing is the method being recommended in order to achieve this flattened affect as well as limiting your interaction with other people.

In order to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff and the general public we have implemented the following practices and adjusted hours.

• Adjusted Office Hours:
  • Monday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday: 9:30AM – 2:30PM
  • Tuesday: 10:00AM – 2:30PM
  • (Closed Noon – 1:00 PM for Lunch)
• Best times to call in for an appointment or TeleCall about your claim:
  • Monday through Friday: 2:30PM – 4:00PM
  • Medina: 330-722-9368 | Toll Free: 844-722-3800 | Fax: 330-722-9378

 All services will be rendered by appointment only at this time.

Financial assistance will be a priority, if you are a current client please call for an interview and appointment.

If you are a new financial assistance client, please call for directions on how to make application and what is needed.

All VA compensation and pension claims will be accomplished via phone interview and by dropping off the needed documents for us to complete as much as the claim as possible for submission. An “Intent to File” may be submitted by us to secure your date of claim.

All other services will be handled on a case by case basis.

TRANSPORTATION:

Our transportation service will remain in effect for the time being unless otherwise directed by the VA Medical Centers of the County.

NOTE: Try calling the VA Medical Center to see if your medical appointment can be completed via Telehealth.

***Reminder, the goal is to limit contact as much as possible with others in order to safeguard yourself against the virus and to transmit it to someone who has a weakened immune system.

If whatever service, you need from us can wait until this current crisis passes please wait to see us.

Please understand we will continue to ensure we maintain our highest degree of quality customer service and care to our Veterans during this notable time in our history. Please be patient as we work through these changes. We are all in this together and our goal is to maintain a healthy staff in order to keep our office up and running throughout this current situation and be able to provide the most basic service. We feel as though these changes will help us accomplish that.

Thank you

Ed Zackery

Director/Service Officer

Medina County Veterans Service Office

————————————————–

These questions are a quick screening to help protect our community:

1. Have you had contact with anyone with confirmed COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
2. Do you have a sore throat?
3. Do you have a persistent cough that is associated with a fever?
4. Do you have any abnormal shortness of breath?

***And/or a fever greater than 100 degrees

If you answered yes to question 1, please call your primary care provider or the Ohio Department of Health at 833.427.5634.

If you answered no to question 1, but yes to numbers 2, 3 or 4; please contact your healthcare provider if symptoms are severe. Please do NOT visit a medical facility unless you are severely ill. Please call ahead and let any medical facility know why you are coming. Meanwhile, do not get close to anyone with a compromised immune system or other underlying condition. (This information was sourced from the Ohio Department of Health website)

For preventative measures remember that the best thing you can do in the face of COVID-19 is to take precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your community:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; dry hands with a clean towel or air-dry hands.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
• Cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Clean “high-touch” surfaces daily. These include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, desks, and tablets.

Download Document Here