Letters to the Editor
Editor:
I read with interest the newspaper article about the Amphitheater. There are questions that should be considered.
The Recreation Department seemed surprised that there could be a cancellation clause in the contract. That is standard procedure, especially in these times. Since LW is going to deal with Terry Hill again, I hope the Recreation Department and board makes sure LW is getting a fair price. Paying $15,000 for a $3,500 band is inexcusable. Yes, that has been true in the past. Since LW is considering matinee and evening performances, that leads to questions.
1. Sound technicians may require more money. LW owns the $120,000 system, but no one can operate it?
2. Another reservation system? How will that work? List of names? A ticket? Another employee to handle the system?
3. Will this be for LW residents only? In the past, guests were permitted. No one knows how many guests attended. My best estimate would be of a crowd of 2,500, 500 were guests and 2,000 residents.
4. More security to monitor who gets in and who doesn’t. Will there be only one entrance?
5. You want me to believe that the band will play for less money, do two sets and have to hang around for hours? I don’t believe that. Also Terry Hill has to be around.
6. Weather conditions.
It would be good to have a 2021 season but the board needs to consider these questions. Hiring local bands would be a good start. Please closely monitor the prices.
Linda Herman Mutual 12 Editor:
I want to share my experience at the Leisure World drivethrough Flu Clinic sponsored by Optum Care. The consent form listed three kinds of vaccines: pediatric dose (under 4 years), adult dose (4 years and older) and high dose (65 years and older). I expected to get the high dose because I am 92 years of age.
I presented the completed, signed consent form along with a copy of my Medicare Insurance card. After waiting in line with my car for half an hour, I was told that they were only administering the “regular” adult dose and did not have any of the high dose vaccine. I said “no thanks” and went home. This was a complete waste of my time!
Upon returning home, I called my doctor from Hoag Health Care. Dr. Fan said, “We are administering the high dose to everyone over 65 years. So I drove to his office today and received the correct vaccine.
How can a senior community such as Leisure World assume that everyone wanting the vaccine was under 65 years of age? As long as Medicare was paying for it, I should have had a choice! How many received the vaccine at Leisure World thinking they were getting the high dose? Lucille Martin Mutual 15 Editor’s Note: OptumCare apologizes for the inconvenience this resident faced and would like people to know that flu vaccines for this year are different. Historically, flu vaccines were produced using egg-based cultures. The way these vaccines were created could lead to variations in effectiveness. This year, vaccines have been developed using new cell-based technology that may offer more protection and are quadrivalent, which means that they cover one additional influenza virus. Past vaccines only covered three strands of the virus. The CDC has not clarified whether the regular or high-dose vaccine is better for people age 65 and older. People with significant health issues should check with primary care doctors to see if the regular or high-dose vaccine is better for them. The CDC recommends flu vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against flu. If you haven’t gotten a flu shot yet, check to find out which one is right for you. This year, it’s more important than ever to get vaccinated.
