Nebraska's Veterans Affairs Director urges care for neighbors

BEATRICE – Having had Covid-19 himself, Nebraska Director of Veterans Affairs John Hilgert is urging the state’s citizens to help protect themselves and their neighbors.  Hilgert contracted the virus last May and said he had only mild symptoms.

"I made it through, but yet I have a different perspective because I'm also the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and we have four veterans homes. I see what that means....Covid into a long-term care facility. If you think that, well, I'm young, I'm healthy, I'm asymptomatic...I don't have to worry. I would say that, yeah, you do."

Hilgert says people not taking precautions can expose others to the virus, even if they may not have much in the way of symptoms. He says the state’s four Veterans homes have been impacted by Covid-19 cases.

"We've had teammates that have been exposed and have had Covid. When you're going through the decision process of, should I wear a mask?..of course the answer is yes. Maintain your distance, wash your hands, maintain the three-Cs, but when you're going through the decision process, I would ask you to not only think of your own situation and even beyond your immediate circle of friends. One step over the horizon...think of those folks....the veterans who sacrificed so much. This is not a huge sacrifice compared to serving in the military."

Hilgert says staff members in Nebraska Veterans homes who test positive must leave the facility, which then puts pressure on other staff members to pick up that work with more overtime and more stress.

Hilgert said using a mask and taking precautions is not much different than Nebraskans helping each other out when someone becomes stuck in their vehicle, during winter weather.