Shut down Mental Health Facilities????

[HockeyMom]

Read a post on different site saying this. Made me furious. Yes, Senior socialization Centers can be shut down, but not these. First of all these facilities, and their employees, are considered essential Heath Care employees sustaining LIFE. Work from home??? Impossible.

I worked in MR/DD Day Hab and also Group Homes. These Consumers cannot function all alone. They need round the clock care. Majority live in Group Homes with staff giving them their basis needs; cooking, cleaning,etc. Some cannot feed, bathe, toilet themselves.

Maybe the Day Hab Facilities cannot have outside trips for them to go out into society, but why shut them down completely? ONLY Consumers and Staff are in Day Hab, nobody from outside. Where I worked, staff had to use a fingerprint reader to get inside.

No. These facilities cannot and will not be shut down. Don't think you can leave special needs people to DIE because of YOUR fear.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. We have been attacking mental health care for years...

Why should this be any different?

[marble falls]

2. The first to be abandoned: the weak, the old, the youngest.

[zackymilly]

3. I didn't know there were any mental health facilities still open. n/t

[HockeyMom]

7. Yes they are

Daughter's friend is a House Manager on LI (1,000 confirmed cases) and she is still working. They HAVE to stay open to protect the (mentally) disabled.

[MaryMagdaline]

4. I learned yesterday that AA meetings are being canceled

Great stress on AA members

[Lindsay]

5. I have read, though,

that AA meetings are now available on line. I don't have any more info on that, but it would be worth looking into if that would be helpful.

[MaryMagdaline]

8. Yes. I've heard that, too. Makes sense.

[HockeyMom]

11. Yes, that is horrible

My Dad was an alcoholic. They need professional support.

[MaryMagdaline]

12. My 2 brothers, nephew and several friends as well

[geomon666]

6. My mental health office is still open

but you can't wait in the lobby. You have to wait in your car until they call you and then you can be let in.

[milestogo]

9. Even shutting down the senior social centers is stressful for older people.

Wherever they are living now, they are isolated, for god knows how long.

[HockeyMom]

10. Our VFW is shut down

One elderly Vet lives all alone. He eats his dinners at VFW which is now shut down. I gave him our leftovers. His children live miles away in another state.

Contacted V and Sam came to our house for his leftovers. Other day his 70 lb puppy pulled him to the ground while he was walking him. Hit his head on ground. When we heard this from Asst. Commander, we called. Give us Sam's address and we will go to his home and give him food.

Social isolation, my ass. You must help your friends in need.

[HockeyMom]

13. Then there are Special Needs Children

My 4 year old Grandson is Autistic. His special needs Pre-School has been closed. Daughter is having a very difficult time at home with him. She has an older 6 year old but can school him at home. Younger son has a lot of behavior issues which that special needs school addressed.

I am a retired Special Ed TA and when she came to stay with us, I tried to counsel her on what to do with my grandson. Parents cannot learn to do this just overnight. Cannot just close the schools and online learning will suffice.

It is both adults, and children, with these disabilities who are going to suffer without outside professional help.