CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES
Concerned Veterans for America Foundation is committed to helping veterans live healthy and prosperous lives. Right now, the greatest threat to that health and wellbeing is the COVID-19 outbreak making its way through communities around the world.
We urge all veterans and their families to follow the recommended guidelines for slowing the spread of the virus and practice good hygiene and social distancing as much as possible. You can arm yourself with knowledge about the virus itself and its impact.
We want you to have the necessary information and resources to ensure you have access to the care you need, especially the most vulnerable among us. To accomplish that goal, we’ve compiled a list of resources to help you stay informed and get updates on the virus and your health care options.
We’ll continue to keep our community updated on new developments through Facebook and Twitter.
Stay healthy and well-informed.
Click on the tabs below to view the resources from the agencies and organizations listed:
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA)
VA’S COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDE
VA has implemented an aggressive public health response to protect and care for Veterans, their families, health care providers, and staff in the face of this emerging health risk. We are working directly with the CDC and other federal partners to monitor the outbreak of the virus. This page has information on the VA’s response to COVID-19 and what veterans can do to manage the crisis.
Visit the Public Health Guide website here.
COVID COACH MOBILE APP
VA’s new COVID Coach app can help you get through this time of uncertainty by teaching you how to practice self-care, find ways to stay socially connected while being physically distant, find meaning during this stressful time, and cope with the many challenges you may now be facing. With this app, you can learn about:
- Healthy coping during COVID-19
- Managing stress with tools for self-care, set personal goals
- Tracking your mental health over time
- Finding helpful resources to meet your needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about the app and download it here.
VA’S MYHEALTHEVET PORTAL
My HealtheVet is a web-based personal health record that gives Veterans information and tools to improve their health. Registration is required to have full access to all features. Registrants can access more than 18 million pages of health information from the site’s Health Education Library. They are able to track appointments, refill prescriptions, access medical records, and much more!
Visit the MyHealtheVet Portal here.
SECURE MESSAGING AND VIDEO CONNECT
SECURE MESSAGING
Do you want to give an update on your current health condition? Do you want to ask for a renewal of your medicine? Use My HealtheVet Secure Messaging to communicate online with your VA health care team. Secure Messaging is a safe and secure web-based messaging service. Secure Messaging allows you to:
- Ask non-urgent, non-emergency health related questions
- Update your VA health care team on your health condition
- Request VA referrals and medication renewals
- Manage your VA appointments
- Ask routine administrative questions
Visit the VA’s Secure Messaging website here.
VA VIDEO CONNECT
Talk with your VA provider about using VA Video Connect if:
- You live far from your VA facility or have limited access to VA facilities.
- You have health conditions that make traveling to the VA specialist you need difficult.
- You lack time to regularly attend in-person appointments.
- You don’t require a hands-on physical examination.
Visit the VA Video Connect website here.
VA’S TELEHEALTH OPTIONS
Meet with VA providers virtually and send important health data from the comfort of your home, using your computer or mobile device. Having easy access to your VA care team is important for your health. But scheduling appointments and traveling to your provider’s office can be difficult. Telehealth at home offers services that work with your current care plan, fit your lifestyle and help you stay healthy and independent.
Note: Certain telehealth programs may not be available in all locations. To learn about telehealth options in your area, reach out to your provider at the nearest VA Medical Center.
Visit the VA’s Telehealth website here.
INFORMATION FOR CAREGIVERS DURING COVID-19
The VA Caregiver Support Program (CSP) recognizes that caregivers play a critical role in caring for veterans every day, and even more so now, in the time of COVID-19. The VA has compiled some important things to be aware of, to help you care for your loved one and yourself during this time.
Click here for information caregivers may find useful during the crisis.
FIND A MOBILE VET CENTER OR VA LOCATION
Find one of VA’s more than 2,000 health care, counseling, benefits, and cemeteries facilities, plus VA’s nationwide network of community health care providers.
Coronavirus update: Many VA and community provider locations have changing hours and services due to COVID-19. For your safety, please call before visiting any location to ask about getting help by phone or video.
Click here for the VA’s search tool to find a location near you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
The VA’s call centers and some VA health facilities are currently experiencing very high numbers of calls. To help address the most urgent needs first, the VA asks that you use its online tools and frequently asked questions (FAQs) for routine or non-urgent questions. This FAQ is a collection of many of the answers you may be looking for. It is a good place to start.
The VA will continue to update this page as the situation changes.
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC)
The CDC’s COVID-19 page has a host of resources you can use to keep yourself protected, find out what to do if you are sick, perform a self-check, and much more.
Click the links below to learn more about what the CDC has to say about the virus and what you can do to stay healthy and safe.
How to Protect Yourself & Others
Information on testing for Coronavirus
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DoD)
LATEST UPDATES: DOD CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE
The Defense Department is working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services and the State Department to provide support in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. This page has the latest news, links, resources, information, and guidance the DoD is tracking in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Click here to visit the DoD’s COVID-19 response page.
TAKING CARE OF OUR PEOPLE
The DoD has compiled an extensive list of resources to protect its people, sustain a strong workforce, and support the local communities in the fight against COVID-19. Here you can find, learn about, and access the resources available to all members of the DoD community
Click here to visit the DoD’s resource website.
MILITARY ONESOURCE CORONAVIRUS UPDATES
For the latest information on programs, services, and resources: what is new, status updates, what remains the same, and what has changed, visit this site.
Click here to visit the Military OneSource Coronavirus Updates page.
DOD SCHOOLS RESPONSE & INFORMATION
Find out what the DoD is doing to communicate with parents and employees, precautions and measures it is taking to protect its students, school closures, resources for parents and teachers, and much more.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND LINKS
WHAT IS SOCIAL DISTANCING?
INFORMATION FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS
PREGNANT WOMEN & CHILDREN
WHO IS AT HIGHEST RISK?
GET THE FACTS
Rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis, and we can stop the spread of disinformation by always choosing trusted sources of information such as:
Federal Government (www.coronavirus.gov)
The CDC (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus)
USA.gov (www.usa.gov/coronavirus)
DoD (www.defense.gov/coronavirus)