Don’t hesitate to call for help
May 6, 2020
By: Doug Sheaffer
Email: doug.sheaffer@dshs.wa.gov
Are we there yet?
Returning to normal.
Which normal? Closed businesses, masks, distancing seems to be the current normal.
If normal is the way things were pre COVID-19, do we really think that in a short while we will back to that?
And if not, what then?
We will keep on adapting and making things work—individually and as a community. We’re people and it’s what we do. Every one of us has a unique response to what’s happening and every one of us has our individual personalities.
One fantastic dynamic I’ve observed is that people who want to help others continue to do so—maybe in just a different way.
By way of a reminder, while many of the service offices are closed to the public, there are still staff available to help via phone, fax, etc. Just because things are different, doesn’t mean the usual issues disappear.
Our offices are still staffed (minimally) and can continue to coordinate services, provide information and assist in making connections. Most of the information given face to face can still be provided without an office visit, so please don’t hesitate to give us a call.
And when we come out the other side of this, it’ll be good to see each other again!
One unfortunate part of the uninterrupted normal concerns scams. Whether we’re in a pandemic or simply living our lives, scammers are consistently among us or around us. Some of the current ones relating to the virus per Medicare.gov:
- Unsolicited or robocalls offering special costs for respiratory masks—which may never arrive
- The ever-present cures, breathing equipment, at home testing kits, etc
- Fake charities hoping your compassion will turn into dollars for them
For more information regarding fraud, scams, etc, visit Medicare.gov/fraud. For other information, contact any of the numbers at the end of this column.
We’re still here and so are you. Let’s keep working together.
Information & Assistance
Long Beach: 360 642 3634/888 571 6558 Raymond: 360 942 2177/888 571 6557