Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.

Why increased isolation is now the enemy of the state among veterans

Historically this time of the year would be filled systemically with holiday cheer. Giving thanks and breaking bread among family. Many veterans traveling through airports around the globe. Others remain standing the watch, or unable to afford the travel back home altogether.

Not so fast in 2020 however. It’s as if veterans were not already isolated enough from the stigma about seeking help among the ranks. Especially when it comes to mental health. Then here comes the 2020 pandemic. Now with increased imposed government restricitons.

About 42 miles south of where the first COVID-19 case was recorded in WA state is where I’m actually typing this at my desk. While the rest of the world was arguing if the virus was real, or fake on social media veterans like us are once again at war.

Since 2008, more than 60,000 U.S. veterans have taken their own lives, with more than half of those deaths via firearms.

With a built different type of enemy

Isolation is defined as the process or fact of isolating or being isolated. Kind of like this dark winter virus second wave that is ravishing the globe at an alarming rate. Initally locking down veterans from the VA healthcare system like myself…