Veterans are special, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Michigan wants to ensure that no veterans living in Michigan veterans homes fall victim to the coronavirus.
To this end, three soldiers are stationed on a rotating duty at the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, Michigan, to screen the home's employees prior to starting their shifts.
"This way, they can identify any employees with possible COVID-19-related symptoms prior to allowing them in," said Army Master Sgt. Jason Cain, the operations noncommissioned officer for the 107th Engineer Battalion.
Cain said the directive came from the Michigan state adjutant general, and that he was tasked with the role because of his location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He was able to find three soldiers that volunteered for the chance to help the home, he added.
"It's what the Jacobetti employees needed," Cain said. "They needed to focus on taking care of the residents who live there, and this is a way our soldiers could integrate and assist with their needs."
There are 180 residents at the home with 250 employees caring for them, so a lot of employees need to be screened throughout the day. The soldiers take the staff's temperature at the front entrance and check for any other signs of the virus. Although the employees have been tested for COVID-19, this provides continual maintenance checks preventing anyone with the virus from entering the home.
"It's one of the front lines preventing anything getting into the facility," said Ron Oja, the administrator for the Jacobetti Home. "It's nice to have somebody that's designated and not a rotating position throughout the facility."
Oja said working with the guard has been a very easy experience. He noted that they've adjusted to the home's timetable and are very accommodating overall. He said the staff appreciates the familiarity of the same three soldiers being there.
"I think it's nice to have somebody that's consistent," Oja said. "They're professional, and any guidance we give is followed very well."
One of those soldiers is Army Sgt. Tyesha Johnson, a bridging specialist with the 1437th Multi-Role Bridging Company, who has been on orders since the end of March. Although not Army medics, she and the other two soldiers have kept their combat lifesaver certifications up to date. She said that what they are doing is not very complicated, but it does fill an important role.
"I would say it's important because it relieves any additional stress that the employees may have because these are very trying, hard and confusing times," Johnson said. "I think it's important to assist and make sure the employees are not coming in sick. Making sure that they're keeping up with the guidelines, so that when they're working, that's all they have to worry about and not having to worry about if that person working next to them is sick."
Johnson said the staff has been very helpful, and she finds it reassuring that the other two soldiers live close by and are willing to lend a hand if she needs any help. This has not been necessary, but it does reassure her to know her comrades are close. She has now been there for over a month and knows the staff and residents a lot better than when she initially started, she said.
"At first it was a little odd because it is a nursing home, but after awhile you get to know the staff and the people who live there," Johnson said. "It's a pretty good place to be at, and I'm glad that I got the opportunity to work there."
For several years, Johnson has had the desire to volunteer at the home when she used to live down the street from it, but she never found the time with work and school. She is happy to have finally made it over there to help.
"I'm glad that I got a chance to at least do something to give back and offer support to the community."
The front lines have moved during the pandemic, but the Michigan National Guard is still there helping to keep the staff and the veterans at the Jacobetti Home safe.
(Army Staff Sgt. Tegan Kucera is assigned to the Michigan National Guard.)
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