The coronavirus on Smart Talk Monday: End of life decisions and survey finds Americans on ‘common ground’

At a time when thousands of Americans are sick and dying from the COVID-19 virus, many are contemplating their mortality. As a result more people are making end-of-life plans and drawing up wills if they didn’t have one before.

Discussing end of life decisions is never an easy topic to bring up, but during the community health crisis the issue has taken on a new urgency.

More than 500 Pennsylvanians have died of complications related to COVID-19.

Healthcare organizations, particularly those whose focus is on end of life care, are encouraging these conversations take place before a family is in crisis.

Joining us on Smart Talk Monday to discuss advance directives and wills are Dr. Maria Olender, DO, Associate Medical Director Hospice of Central Pennsylvania and Attorney Andrew Rusniak, Esq., from the law firm of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC, Estate Planning practice group.

Also, a recent survey found that while Americans have divergent opinions about the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic, there is strong evidence they stand on common ground about many issues, too.

Appearing on Smart Talk to analyze this survey by America Amplified is David Schleifer, Vice President, Director of Research with Public Agenda, a research and public engagement organization.