An independent report looking into the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home was released this week. It said the facility's management, under superintendent Bennett Walsh, made "substantial errors," which led to the death toll rising.
More than 70 veterans, testing positive for the coronavirus, have died there in recent months.
Governor Charlie Baker, who commissioned the report, said at a press conference this week that it was hard to read.
"The loss of life is difficult to even think or speak about," Baker said. "The events that took place at the Holyoke Soliders' Home in March are truly horrific and tragic."
Walshhas disputed many of the findings of this report. Other offices, including those of Attorney General Maura Healey and Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling, are also conducting investigations.
Panelist Ron Chimelis said he thinks people are wrestling foremost with ideas around what qualifications are necessary to run a facility like the Holyoke Soldiers' Home.
"Bennett Walsh is a veteran. He's had a fine military career. But he's not a health care person," Chimelis said. "And whatever happened, I think it's very clear that moving forward, in the future, in this COVID-19 age, you need people with specific credibility in this field. And that's not required. ...But I think there's going to be much more of a demand and attention for that."
Walsh isn't a licensed nursing home administrator. It wasn't required, and Baker isn't mandating it in changes he's rolled out.
Panelist Larry Parnass said he'd be surprised if there weren't steps in place to address such a requirement in the future.
"There had been that position, that had not been filled for budget reasons, to try to backfill on the lack of health care experience for somebody like Walsh," Parnass said. "So I think that's actually on Baker that that didn't happen."
Parnass said reports have said Walsh was maybe a little "too fiery personally" for the job he's had.
"He was in anger management counseling," Parnass said. "And boy, looking at this report — if people read it — I think there is plenty for everybody to get angry about. There's a lot of findings in here that really deserve a close look."
Also this week, a much-anticipated report commissioned by the Springfield Roman Catholic Diocese found sexual abuse allegations against former Bishop Christopher Weldon were "unequivocally credible." The investigation conducted by retired judge Peter Velis said the handling of the complaint by the diocese was "woefully deficient."
Archbishop-elect Mitchell Rozanski apologized to the victim for more than just the abuse.
"In almost every instance, we have failed this courageous man, who nonetheless persevered — thanks, in part, to a reliable support network, as well as to a deep desire for a just response for the terrible abuse which he endured," Rozanski said.
A seperate panel will be tasked with reviewing the recommendations going forward, from the report.
Colleges and universities are trying to figure out what the fall semester will look like for students. Some will have in-person classes, combined with remote learning. And athletic departments at these schools are also trying to figure out if sporting events should take place. Most college athletics shut down abruptly in March at the start of the pandemic.
We wrap up this week with education officials in Massachusetts and Connecticut releasing guidelines if in-person classes are allowed to take place at K through 12 schools this fall. Mask wearing, social distancing and spread out desks are some of the protocols. In Massachusetts, schools have to submit plans for both in-person and remote learning, as well as a combination of the two.
Guests:
- Ron Chimelis, reporter and columnist, Springfield Republican
- Larry Parnass, investigations editor, The Berkshire Eagle
