Facebook announced that that it has donated over 7,400 Portal video chat devices to help US veterans feel less isolated as they stay at home in compliance with the social distancing guidelines to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Facebook had previously distributed about 2,050 Portal devices to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). The donation is to aid people in hospitals, clinics, and care homes to stay in touch with family members and friends.
“We hope that by using these Portal video-calling devices, veterans and their caregivers will be able to feel less isolated and more present with their friends and family no matter where they are,” said Payton Iheme, who is in charge of Military and Veteran Policy at Facebook, in a statement.
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US Veteran Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie says that the veterans will benefit from an “increased support system.”
“Veterans, families, and caregivers will benefit through an increased support system. Our goal is for Veterans to feel less isolated through more communication. We believe this technology will help Veterans who might otherwise be unreachable,” Wilkie says.
To be eligible to receive a free Portal, veterans and families have to;
— be part of the VA’s Office of Caregiver Support program or VA’s Geriatric Services and Extended Care program and
— also be identified as at-risk for suicide by a VA provider.
The advice for veterans who are unsure of their eligibility is that they contact their local Caregiver Support Coordinator.
The American Red Cross Military Veterans Caregiver Network will help in distributing the Portal devices. Veterans can get one of the devices by filling out a form on its website. The form also adds that due to supply limitations, the distribution will be on a first come first serve basis.
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