ARMY MEDICINE | DPA SENDSSEPTEMBER 14, 2020

SEPTEMBER OBSERVANCESChildhood Obesity MonthOvarian Cancer Awareness MonthPain Awareness MonthHispanic Heritage MonthSuicide Prevention Week - Sept 6-12Patriot Day - Sept 11Air Force Birthday - Sept 18

1. The Army Surgeon General, LTG R. Scott Dingle, “TSG SENDS: COVID-19 and Army Medicine” messages from this week are included for your awareness. Please read! • Published TSG Sends (September 10, 2020)

2. SMA Sends: Social Security Tax Withholding Deferral (September 10, 2020)

3. CHAPLAIN: National Suicide Awareness Prevention Month (September 7, 2020

4. Flu Shot Fact Sheet (September 14, 2020)

5. COVID-19 Information:• Army Medicine COVID-19 Hotline: 1-800-984-8523 or DSN 312-421-3700• Army: www.army.mil/coronavirus • APHC: https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/campaigns/covid19 • CDC Web Page: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html• DoD Web Page: www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus• Health.mil Web Page: https://health.mil/News/In-the-Spotlight/Coronavirus• TRICARE Web Page: https://tricare.mil/coronavirus

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

ARMY MEDICINE WEEK IN REVIEW

Army Medicine

STRATEGIC VISION

ARTICLES1. U.S. army COVID-19 vaccine may produce a side benefit:

Cure for the common cold (September 14) www.thestar.com/news/world/2020/09/14/us-army-covid-19-vaccine-may-produce-a-side-benefit-cure-for-the-common-cold.html

2. Army Reserve Soldiers support supply requirements in Texas as part of federal COVID-19 response (September 14) www.usar.army.mil/News/Article/2347122/army-reserve-soldiers-support-supply-requirements-in-texas-as-part-of-federal-c/

Army Reserve nurse from Peoria, Ariz. reflects on her experiences as part of federal COVID response (September 11) www.dvidshub.net/news/377945/army-reserve-nurse-peoria-ariz-reflects-her-experiences-part-federal-covid-response

3. Fort McCoy MSTC doing its part to help Soldiers stay prepared (September 11) www.dvidshub.net/news/377888/fort-mccoy-mstc-doing-its-part-help-soldiers-stay-prepared

4. Medical Service Officers achieve QM School first (September 11) www.army.mil/article/238944/medical_service_officers_achieve_qm_school_first

5. Madigan’s new commander lays out his priorities (September 10) www.army.mil/article/238923/madigans_new_commander_lays_out_his_priorities

6. Army dental Soldier embraces diversity and equality for all (September 9) www.army.mil/article/238875/army_dental_soldier_embraces_diversity_and_equality_for_all

VIDEOS1. Army Medicine Patriot Day Remembrance (September

10) www.dvidshub.net/video/766715/army-medicine-patriot-day-remembrance

2. Communicating effectively while wearing masks (September 10) www.dvidshub.net/video/766539/communicating-effectively-while-wearing-masks

TSG SENDS (September 10, 2020)

Army Medicine Family,

I hope you were able to take advantage of this short work week. I acknowledge many of you may not have had a short week. Thanks to all who put in extra hours this week. I am proud of the entire team for your continued dedication to Army Medicine.

We were scheduled to have a virtual town hall on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from Joint Base San Antonio, but inclement weather led to technical difficulties. This event will be rescheduled for a later date. CSM Hough and I are looking forward to speaking with you all and sharing what is going on in Army Medicine. We will share the date for the next town hall when it is available.

Friday is Patriot Day on 9/11, to remember the people who perished on September 11, 2001, as well as all the first responders and citizens who rushed to help after the disaster. We also take this day to remember the brave patriots of our armed forces who defended our country after the attacks and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Please take the time to join us in a moment of silence. For those lost on 9/11, we will never forget.

We continue to see a small decline in daily COVID-19 cases as well as deaths from COVID-19. Since July, the United States has seen a 38% decrease in the 7-day average case counts. This is great news, but we are not out of the woods. Keep up your vigilance-continue face coverings, handwashing, physical distancing, and all of the CDC recommendations for prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

Social and physical distancing along with wearing a mask are great tools to protect the health of the force. Protecting the health of the force is everyone’s job.

The Army Corps of Engineers needs your help. They are looking for innovative feedback on a variety of subjects from how to run range control to how to seamlessly share medical data from a small unit up to a higher command. If you have some great ideas, you can go here for more information: https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/09/06/this-army-corps-wants-you-to-send-in-your-solutions

Thanks for all you do as we continue to navigate the rapidly changing environment.

Stay safe out there!

Army Medicine is Army Strong!

TSG 45

VRR. SCOTT DINGLELieutenant General, U.S. ArmyThe Surgeon General andCommanding General, USAMEDCOM

Useful links:www.armyemergencyrelief.org/covid19www.militaryonesource.mil/coronaviruswww.coronavirus.govwww.cdc.gov/coronaviruswww.usa.gov/coronaviruswww.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus

Updated CDC guidance for cleaning:www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/disinfecting-building-facility.html

CDC Reopening Decision Trees: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/downloads/community/workplace-decision-tree.pdf

Chaplain Resilience Video:www.facebook.com/ArmyChaplainCorps/videos/2679539028980334

SMA SENDS (September 10, 2020)

Total Army Team,

All enlisted Soldiers and NCOs, as well as most Officers and DA Civilians, will see a 6.2% increase in their base pay starting with September’s mid-month pay through December 2020.

As of now, you will have to pay this Social Security tax back January through April 2021.

Bottom line, check your Leave and Earnings Statement and develop a plan. Leaders, sit down with your subordinates and discuss their plan for when the tax is recouped in 2021.

See original message from DFAS below which includes a link to Frequently Asked Questions.

-SMA

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In order to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Presidential Memorandum was issued on August 8, 2020 and guidance followed by Internal Revenue Service on August 28, 2020, to temporarily defer Social Security (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI), as seen on the Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) as “FICA-SOC SECURITY”) tax withholdings in the pay of some service members.

Effective for the September mid-month pay, DFAS will temporarily defer the withholding of your 6.2% Social Security tax if your monthly rate of basic pay is less than $8,666.66. If your monthly rate of basic pay is at or above this threshold, your social security tax withholding will not be affected by the temporary deferral.

Key Facts:

- The Social Security tax is labeled as “FICA-SOC SECURITY” on the LES and is calculated as 6.2% of your basic pay.

- This change is effective through the end of the 2020 calendar year and only applies to your Social Security tax withholding. Normal withholding of your FICA-Social Security taxes will resume effective January 1, 2021.

- You are not eligible to opt-out of the deferral if your basic pay falls within the stated wage limits. The deferral will happen automatically.

- In accordance with current IRS guidance, collection of the deferred taxes will be taken from your wages between January 1 and April 30, 2021. Additional information on the collection process will be provided in the future.

- If you separate or retire in 2020 before the Social Security tax can be collected in 2021, you are still responsible for the Social Security tax repayment.

As more information becomes available, it will be posted on: www.dfas.mil/taxes/Social-Security-Deferral

For questions on the temporary deferral of the 6.2% Social Security withholding:- Visit the IRS page: www.irs.gov/newsroom/guidance-issued-to-implement-presidential-memorandum-deferring-certain-

employee-social-security-tax-withholding www.irs.gov/newsroom/guidance-issued-to-implement-presidential-memor

For more information on financial readiness:- Visit https://finred.usalearning.gov

- Visit your installation Military and Family Support Center and speak with a Personal Financial Manager or Counselor, or contact Military OneSource at https://www.militaryonesource.mil

CHAPLAIN: NATIONAL SUICIDE AWARENESS PREVENTION MONTH (September 7, 2020)

DEPUTY CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS UPDATE - JWB JEWISH HIGH HOLY DAY VIRTUAL RESOURCES (September 14, 2020)

Good Afternoon PAO Leadership,

On behalf of CH Cooper and CH Robb, I am attaching the posters for the final three weeks of National Suicide Awareness Prevention Month. He would like to have them included in the DPA Sends each week for the rest of the month; he told me that he sent you the first week already. The last one includes civilians so you might want to find a way to add that one in. Thank you very much! We expect to have another chaplain inspirational devotion in 10-14 days.

Blessings and Happy Labor Day,

CH JohnsonChaplain (MAJ) Jerry E. Johnson, U.S. Army Plans, Training, and ResourceManager Chaplain Office of the MEDCOM Chaplain

The Jewish personnel serving in our Army will celebrate the High Holy Days this year beginning the evening of Friday, 18 September, and ending the evening of 11 October. While serving, many in the Jewish community often find it difficult to attend religious services in person, and COVID-19 makes in-person attendance even more difficult than usual this year.

In an effort to make Holy Day worship services available to every Jew in our Army, the Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) has consolidated a list of virtual services led by military chaplains around the world. Please see the attached information and share it as appropriate.

For God and Country - Live the Call!

V/R,

Chaplain (Brigadier General) Bill GreenDeputy Chief of Chaplains

“Caring for the Soul of the Army”

Invest in PEOPLE, Connect them in SPIRIT, and Cultivate COMMUNITY!

Each fall, Jewish personnel across the world celebrate the High Holy Days which this year begin the evening of Friday, September 18, with the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, and end the evening of October 11, with the holiday of Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah. Many in the Jewish community, including those serving on bases around the world and on ships at sea, find they are not able to attend services in person, and this year COVID 19 made it all the more difficult.

In an effort to make a Hoy Day worship service available to every Jew in our Armed Forces, the Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) has consolidated a list of virtual services led by our chaplains around the world. We have endeavored to have a service in every US Time Zone and in major overseas locations. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and unit chaplains should seek information about local services thru their closest military rabbi.

Attached you will find a list of each location, the Zoom address, and or/ the local point of contact. In addition, we will also have the most up to date information and schedules on our web site at: https://jcca.org/what-we-do/jwb/military-high-holiday-services.

Wishing you health and happiness as we begin our Jewish New Year.

Shalom,

Irv Elson Rabbi Irving A. Elson, CAPT, USN (Ret), Director, JWB Jewish Chaplains Council

JWB Virtual Jewish High Holy Day Services

Eastern Time

LOCATION: United States Naval Academy, MD 18 September Erev Rosh haShana 1915 EDT

19 September Morning worship 0930 EDT

THEGETTINGFLU VACCINE

WHO SHOULD GET VACCINATED AGAINST INFLUENZA?

TRICARE.mil/�u

Additional Resources for 2020 Seasonal In�uenza VaccineThe TRICARE �u website has information on no-cost and co-pay options should you decide to go out to the retail pharmacy network for your �u vaccination. www.tricare.mil/�uThe Seasonal In�uenza Resource Center 2020-21 has more information: www.health.mil/�uresourcecenter

2020 Seasonal In�uenza VaccineWhile it’s not possible to say with certainty what will happen in the fall and winter, CDC believes it’s likely that �u viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be active. The following messages provide communicators at military hospitals and clinics with important CDC and Defense Health Agency information to share with patients and bene�ciaries.Key Messages

For the 2020-21 �u season, �u vaccination will help reduce the overall impact of respiratory illnesses on the population and decrease the burden on the health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Receiving the �u vaccine will not protect against COVID-19; however, �u vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of illness, hospitalization and death from an in�uenza infection. Flu vaccination should be postponed for people with suspected or con�rmed COVID-19, regardless of whether they have symptoms, until they have met the criteria to discontinue their isolation. While mild illness is not a contraindication to �u vaccination, vaccination visits for these people should be postponed to avoid exposing healthcare personnel and other patients to the virus that causes COVID-19. Flu vaccines for bene�ciaries will arrive on a rolling basis at MTFs beginning in September and extending into December. The bulk of the earliest arriving vaccine will be given to overseas locations, deployed service members, and other bene�ciaries who otherwise have no access to the �u vaccine. Refer to the 2020 Seasonal In�uenza Message Map for communicators for speci�c key messages.Contact your local MTF for information on safety precautions being taken to protect visitors against COVID-19, and be sure to check �u vaccine availability before you plan a visit. For TRICARE bene�ciaries who want to get a �u vaccine before it is available at their MTF, they can use a TRICARE network participating pharmacy at no cost. Visit www.tricare.mil/�u to learn about TRICARE coverage and the �u vaccine.If you or your child receives a vaccine outside of the MTF, remember to get a record of it and share the information with your primary care provider or military clinic. This will ensure you and your family’s vaccination records are current.

TRICARE.mil/�u

2020 Seasonal In�uenza Vaccine MESSAGE MAP

TALKING POINTS

Your unit may administer the shots. Check with your chain of command or call your local supporting MTF and ask them if they have the �u shot.

There are three options for getting the �u vaccine.-Military hospital or clinic-Participating network pharmacy-TRICARE authorized provider

Your unit may administer the shots. Check with your chain of command or call your local supporting MTF and ask them if they have the �u shot.

Call your local supporting MTF and ask them if they have the �u shot, if they do, get the shot.

There are three options for getting the �u vaccine.-Military hospital or clinic-Participating network pharmacy-TRICARE authorized provider

When you get a �u vaccine from a participating network pharmacy or provider, follow your service guidance for recording the vaccine in your shot record.

For bene�ciaries younger than 3, we have enough �u vaccines to support bene�ciary demand.

Contact your MTF pediatric clinic for your vaccine.

For bene�ciaries who want to get a �u vaccine earlier, we encourage them to go to a TRICARE participating network pharmacy to obtain the shot.

Bene�ciaries aged 65+, we have enough �u vaccines to support bene�ciary demand.

Contact your MTF for your vaccine.

For bene�ciaries who want to get a �u vaccine earlier, we encourage them to go to a TRICARE participating network pharmacy to obtain the shot.

DHA has planned for enough �u vaccines to support our bene�ciary demand.

Call your local Military Treatment Facility and ask them if they have the �u shots now. If they do, get the shot.

For bene�ciaries who want to get a �u vaccine earlier, we encourage them to go to a TRICARE participating network pharmacy to obtain the shot.

DHA has planned for enough �u vaccines to support bene�ciary demand.

Call your MTF and ask them if they have the �u shots now. If they do, get the shot.

For bene�ciaries who want to get a �u vaccine earlier, we encourage them to go to a TRICARE participating network pharmacy to obtain the shot.

KEY MESSAGE

Required to get the �u vaccine annually.

Seasonal in�uenza vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older with rare exception.

Required to get the �u vaccine annually.

Seasonal in�uenza vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older with rare exception.

Seasonal in�uenza vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older with rare exception.

Receiving the in�uenza vaccine will not protect against COVID-19; however, in�uenza vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of illness, hospitalization and death from in�uenza.

Seasonal in�uenza vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older with rare exception.

Receiving the in�uenza vaccine will not protect against COVID-19; however, in�uenza vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of illness, hospitalization and death from in�uenza.

Seasonal in�uenza vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older with rare exception.

Receiving the in�uenza vaccine will not protect against COVID-19; however, in�uenza vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of illness, hospitalization and death from in�uenza.

Pregnant women are at an increased risk for severe

illness and complications if infected with the in�uenza virus. With few exceptions, everyone over the age of 6 months should receive an annual in�uenza vaccination, including pregnant women during any trimester.

AUDIENCE

Active Duty Service Members

Reserve/National Guard Service members

Pediatric bene�ciaries under 3 years old

Bene�ciaries age 65+

Bene�ciaries over age 3 and under 65

Pregnant bene�ciaries