Harry Kiesler

Legislative News … Daniel Nnorth and Claudia Schott

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Flex those dialing and writing fingers!  We need to let our Federal Representatives (Lofgren, Khanna and Eshoo) as well as Senators (Feinstein and Harris) know that they need to address nursing homes issues now!

HR1425 – the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act passed the House and now moves into the Senate. Let Senators know they need to vote ‘Yes’ and support this bill. This bill provides funding for the Improve Health Insurance Affordability Fund.  States must use allocated funds to assist insurers or individuals with exceedingly high claims.

Our State Senators (Hill and Beall) also have their work cut out for them – and it’s our job to make sure they do theirs!  They, too, need to address nursing home issues. There are several nursing home related bills that we want them to support:

SB1207 — Nursing Home Resident Safety Act of 2020.

AB2377 — Adult Residential Facilities: Closures and Resident Transfers.

SB1383 – California Paid Family Leave – Job Protections.

AB3216 – California Paid Sick Leave – Public Health Emergency.

SB 1383 would allow employees who work for a company with five or more workers to be eligible for 12 weeks of job-protected leave. Currently, only companies with 50 or more employees are required to provide 12 weeks of leave to care for a family member.

AB 3216 would provide vital job protections for CA employees impacted by COVID-19 — specifically, by allowing workers to take extended job-protected leave to care for themselves or a family member affected by COVID-19, including a family member whose school or care facility is closed due to COVID-19; worker retention and recall rights for certain service employees; and additional paid sick leave during a state of emergency. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that the pandemic is “one big wave”, rather than a seasonal thing. So, once we get the vaccines, we should be good. The researchers are confident we will have a safe and effective vaccine; however, it will take time.  Some experts are predicting it may be next summer before we have a working vaccine.  So, keep safe, wear masks, keep your social distance, wash your hands frequently and get tested if you can. We may be here a while, waiting….

Do You Like to Sing? … Nancy Tepperman

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A free sing-along group meets on Zoom on Thursdays, 7:30-9:00 p.m.  The group use to meet in person at the Chai House.  There are a couple of songbooks to help singers remember the words which can be ordered on Amazon if you like the group.  What the group does is:  The leader is un-muted, and the rest of the attendees sing along (muted) at home.  It’s less satisfying than being together, but it does give that boost that singing familiar music does for the soul.  If you are interested, please contact Nancy at Nancy_Tepperman@yahoo.com, to be put on the email list.

Laughing is Good for the Soul

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… Shelly Schwartz

My doctor was giving me a hard time about my health. To get back on his good side, I bought a puppy and named him ‘Five Miles’.

That way, when I went to see my doctor, I could tell him, “I walk five miles every morning!”

… Marilyn Clough … These are actual ads seen in The Las Palmas newspaper (a senior retirement community) — Dating for Seniors:

*WINNING SMILE*

         Active grandmother with original teeth, seeking a dedicated flosser to share rare steaks, corn on the cob and caramel candy.

*MINT CONDITION*

         Male, 1942 model Willie Americar, high mileage, good condition, some hair

         Many new parts, including hip, knee, cornea, valves.

         Isn’t in running condition, but walks well (usually)

Let’s Laugh at Covid-19

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… Lynda Martinez

The COVID-19 situation has been especially stressful for the Flat Earth Society. They fear that social distancing could push people over the edge.

P.S. I bet they’re really excited about flattening the curve, though.

… Veronika Phillips

A Dog’s Bewilderment — As a dog walks down the street with his best friend (owner) and sees all the people around them, he is amazed and wonders, “All these humans with muzzles!  Who did they bite?”

Do you like to sing?

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A free sing-along group meets on zoom Thursdays 7:30-9:00.  We used to meet in person at the Chai House.  We have a couple of songbooks to help us remember the words which you can order on Amazon if you like the group.  What we do is the leader is unmuted, and the rest of us sing along at home.  It’s less satisfying than being together but does give that boost that singing familiar music does for the soul.  If you are interested, please contact Nancy_Tepperman@yahoo.com, and she will put you on the email list.  You can find Nancy’s phone number in the Dispatch if you prefer to call.