Page 4 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, May 1, 2020

4 May 1, 2020
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Nevada’s COVID-19 ‘patient zero’ celebrates
release from North Las Vegas VA Medical Center
Ronald Pipkins, Nevada’s first patient
to test positive for COVID-19, left the
North Las Vegas VA medical center to the
cheers of VA Southern Nevada Health-
care System staff on April 20.
Nearly two months after testing
positive with the virus, and three weeks
since awakening from a coma, Pipkins is
transferring to a local medical rehabilita-
tion facility.
“It feels fantastic,” Pipkins said. “I hate
to leave, I made a lot of friends, but I’ve
got to go and see my family.”
Pipkins has inspired staff and veterans
alike with his strength and perseverance,
even receiving recognition over a phone
call from Nev. Gov. Steve Sisolak.
“I never thought I’d be famous just
for being alive,” Pipkins said. “But I
hope that I can make people realize how
serious this virus is. I wish no one would
get this disease. This is a terrible virus
because once it gets ahold of you, it really Medical Center March 2 for pneumonia. tive. He spent much of the last month on
tries to take you out.” After developing a fever, he was tested a ventilator in a medically induced coma
The 55-year-old Marine Corps veteran for COVID-19, and within 24 hours, his while battling the illness.
was admitted to the North Las Vegas VA results came back as a presumptive posi- After regaining consciousness and
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two consecutive negative COVID tests
in early April, Pipkins has undergone
intense rehabilitation with VASNHS
physical and occupational therapists.
“My recovery has been really strong,”
Pipkins said. “It’s all coming together
and once I get to rehab, I know that I’ll
pick up the pace.”
And while Pipkins is excited to con-
tinue on his road to recovery, he appreci-
ates the life-saving care he’s received at
the North Las Vegas VA medical center.
“I’m grateful I’m at the VA because the
people here have waited on me hand and
foot,” Pipkin said. “The staff here are very
professional and I’m really proud of the
service I’ve received here.”
Pipkins urges Americans to not take
COVID-19 lightly. “Listen to the health
professionals. A lot of people think it
won’t get them, but if it gets you, you will
Courtesy photos feel some very painful things happening
to your body. So I tell you, ‘put on the
mask. Going to work is not as important
as living. It’s better to be broke and alive
than to have money and be dying.’”
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Desert lightning news s. nevaDa news May 1, 2020 5
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DOD allows remote extension of iD cards
by Jim Garamone Army Pfc. Ryan Individuals must continue to visit an
DOD News C hi s h o lm u s e s ID card office for first-time CAC issu-
personal protective ance, for replacement of a CAC that has
Is your military ID card expiring, but equipment and already expired, and for CAC PIN resets.
with social distancing and various stay- practices social ID card issuance offices will not reis-
at-home orders in effect, you aren’t sure distancing while sue an ID card simply because of printed
whether you’ll be able to renew it? checking a motorist’s changes, the most common being a
The Department of Defense has ID at Fort Bliss, name change or promotion.
changed the process to allow service Texas, March 27, DOD can remotely issue first-time
members and civilians to temporarily 2020. The Defense uniformed services IDs — for example,
extend the life of their cards as the nation Department has dependent or retiree IDs. DOD also
battles the COVID-19 pandemic. These changed the process can remotely replace lost or stolen
extended cards that appear expired on to allow service uniformed services dependent and re-
their face can continue to be used for m em b er s a nd tiree IDs. Remotely-issued uniformed
access to benefits, including health care civilians to extend services ID cards will be issued with an
and entry to installations and buildings the life of their ID expiration date not to exceed one year
and to systems and networks. cards as the nation from the date it’s issued. This does not
Matthew P. Donovan, undersecretary battles the COVID-19 apply to CACs.
of defense for personnel and readiness, Army photograph by Staff Sgt. Kris Bonet pandemic. The minimum age for initial family
and the Joseph D. Kernan, undersec- member IDs has increased from 10 to 14.
retary of defense for intelligence and Continued use of reserve-component
security, released the policy changes issuing office. Normally, DOD issues tion may have the certificates updated uniformed services ID cards to obtain
in memos published April 7 and April between 18,000 and 20,000 ID cards using ID Card Office Online to allow for active duty benefits is authorized for
16. The temporary policies are in place each day at more than 1,600 sites around continued use for logical access through mobilized reservists and their eligible
through Sept. 30. the world. Sept. 30, according to an April 16 Dono- dependents.
The changes allow people to adhere to Under these new COVID-19 response van memo. However, officials emphasize For more information go to DOD
social distancing practices by updating processes, common access cards, known that individuals must extend their certifi- Response to COVID-19 — DOD ID
or renewing their ID cards from their as CACs, that expire on or after April 16, cates before the printed expiration date Cards and Benefits at https://www.cac.
homes with no need to visit an ID card 2020, and are within 30 days of expira- on their CAC. mil/Coronavirus/.