Fate chasing me with a sledgehammer
Where I am? Largest Veterans' Hospital in the United States. Big place, both sides of Wilshire Boulevard. Enormous. Lots of patients been banged up due to military service in lots of ways. 300 just in my facility, and there are more than half a dozen buildings.
The main hospital is running on emergency power. A transformer died on them last weekend. Veterans who would know say it looks like a fifty caliber machine gun was involved--there's a hole right through it. No actual foul play is suspected; the damage is said to be due to an electrical flaw. The security desk has been moved outside the front doors, and only the minimum of lighting is available--the place is dark. The elevators are need-only, and every so often an announcement comes over the loudspeaker reminding us that electrical equipment should be used only for medical necessities.
Only the VA has an interesting definition of medical necessity. One woman here has cancer. She's here for radiation. They told her to take a week off.
Could be worse. At least we have health care, or we will as soon as the power comes back on.
The main hospital is running on emergency power. A transformer died on them last weekend. Veterans who would know say it looks like a fifty caliber machine gun was involved--there's a hole right through it. No actual foul play is suspected; the damage is said to be due to an electrical flaw. The security desk has been moved outside the front doors, and only the minimum of lighting is available--the place is dark. The elevators are need-only, and every so often an announcement comes over the loudspeaker reminding us that electrical equipment should be used only for medical necessities.
Only the VA has an interesting definition of medical necessity. One woman here has cancer. She's here for radiation. They told her to take a week off.
Could be worse. At least we have health care, or we will as soon as the power comes back on.