Hello, friends,
First off, happy holidays for whatever you might celebrate! Hell - celebrate more than one, if you're so inclined!
Now, then, on to business. As first reported on her Twitter account, as well as her official website, and talked about by Newsday (which is behind a paywall), New York State's Attorney General Letitia James is out and about with regards to enforcing laws about how the people caught in such a place's 'care' are supposed to be treated.
And, honestly, that's basically all there is to say about it, right? For example, CBS News reported on the Cold Spring Harbor case, citing the case of one victim whose wounds were deemed too horrible for TV. There's more reporting out there, as well.
The bottom line is, Long Island is slowly getting older, especially as young people are priced out of the housing/apartment markets. According to The Rauch Foundation's Long Island Index, between 2000 and 2013 the 55+ age range grew by about 2%/year. It's legitimately hard to find data outside of the Newsday paywall, but according to this image that trend has only continued:
What that means is that there are more people who need care in a care home than there are people who can provide it, and that number is constantly growing more disparate. When the need for care increases while the supply of it decreases, corners get cut. Does that mean the wanton cruelty James has cited is necessary, or excusable?
Absolutely not!
But it does suggest that we need to make certain shifts in our economic system, on all of the levels (Local, state, federal) in order to retain young people, train them in how to take care of those who need it, and provide them a good lifestyle so that they can survive & thrive on Long Island. I've talked about some things we can change on the federal level, like Medicare For All, and creating a "Care Economy," but those are Federal solutions that seem infinitely far away. Passing the New York Health Act would help on a State level.
And for those who might say, "Well, my taxes will go up and I don't wanna!" there are two things to mention:
1 - You'll probably save more money off of not needing to pay premiums/copays/out-of-pocket bullshit.
2 - You'll be happier when you're 70 years old, break your hip, and have a care team that's experienced and well-paid so that they'll be extra patient and helpful.
Jesse Pohlman is a sci-fi/fantasy author, political commentator, and occasional journalist born and raised in Freeport, New York. Got a bookworm in your life you want to buy a holiday gift for? Check out his website!
