My prayers go out to the families of the service members who were tragically killed in the terrorist attack at the Kabul airport. Their heroic actions to help evacuate Americans from Afghanistan will never be forgotten.
The attack came as Afghanistan was overtaken by the Taliban. With this development, Americans are rightly concerned about what this means for America’s security.
For one group of citizens, emotions are especially strong: war veterans. In addition to dealing with existing effects of the war, such as physical and emotional injuries, now they have the additional questions about whether their efforts were worth it. The Veterans Administration is being deluged with calls from service members who are depressed because they now believe they fought this war for nothing.
I can assure those of you who served: your service is appreciated and was critical to keeping our country safe.
In the last 20 years, we have not had a terror attack in the United States to rival the tragedy of 9/11. This is because you did your job, disrupting al-Qaeda and other terrorist networks to ensure they did not have the ability to again threaten our homeland. We sincerely appreciate the sacrifices that you and your family have made for our country.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has activated a state contract with SLSCO of Galveston, Texas, to provide monoclonal antibody (mAb) infusion treatment for 30 days at sites in the following counties: Jackson, Pettis, Scott, Butler and Jefferson. This contract follows Gov. Mike Parson’s Aug. 11 announcement that $15 million would be committed to staffing, equipment and supplies for the establishment of monoclonal antibody infusion stations across the state.
“As the Delta variant continues to spread across the state and pose serious health risks to unvaccinated Missourians, our state teams are continuing to do everything possible to provide support and save lives,” Parson said. “It is our hope that these infusion centers will help relieve hospital strain and health care worker fatigue as we move forward with our efforts to get more Missourians vaccinated. Just as we have done from the beginning, we will continue to work with our partners to identify resource needs and respond to this virus.”
Infusions were first provided at Truman Medical Center in Jackson County. Other sites will be implemented in the coming days. Two greater St. Louis area sites are also being planned and will be established at locations to be identified by St. Louis regional partners, including the St. Louis Pandemic Task Force.
Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that can help your body fight off COVID-19 and reduce the risk of severe disease and hospitalization – if administered to high-risk patients soon after diagnosis. These antibodies mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful viruses like SARS-CoV-2, and they attack the virus and reduce its ability to spread through your body.
Additionally, on Tuesday, DHSS published a standing order authorizing eligible health care providers to administer REGEN-COV, the treatment being used for mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients who are at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization. Patients who could benefit from this treatment will need to be referred for treatment by an eligible health care provider.
May God bless and keep you and our great nation.
Hardy Billington represents District 152, which includes parts of Butler and Dunklin counties.