Pandemic behaviour in question

I have lived for the past six years in the Mt Warren Park Palm Lakes over 55 lifestyle village.

Then, it seemed that there was sufficient regard and support for the many residents who were increasingly fragile.

Distressingly, that has often not been the case since the pandemic.

While there are  notices about mandated behaviour around the village, physical monitoring of these behaviours is infrequent and short in duration.

Consequently, many residents including the un-vaxinated  now ignore the mandated behaviours or remain largely in their villas to stay safe. 

I have  raised this issue with the current caretakers several times, only to be told that it was not part of their contract. They have recently told residents attending small activities, to follow the mandated behaviours and left the venue. 

I am very unwell and am at risk of catching Covid and dying. I do not want to die now after years of serious illness and trauma. I am double vaccinated. 

A Palm Lakes meeting was recently held by some of the upper  management echelon, in response to my communication with our residents’ committee and a lack of adherence to mandated behaviours.

I was not invited or told of the outcome of this meeting but I chased it up. The outcome was that nothing would be done to reinforce the  mandated behaviours. 

I was told on Monday November 8 that the above decision was for the greater good of all the residents.

This seemed to infer that  the rights of numerous residents like myself,  can not expect consideration and remain safe as active participants in village life. 

There are a significant  number of aged, ill and at-risk residents who are over 92 years old. They have had to consequently give up social activities to survive and feel safe.

Later, on November 18  I was told by the Residents’ Committee that there would be some changes to current village behaviours from December 17. I can not see any gain in deciding to make a change about 18 months after key safe behaviours were initially mandated and subsequently ignored. 

I despair about my future as I know from experience over the last 21 months that many residents and management will likely find ways to interpret the new mandates currently being developed by the government and carry on much as before. 

I earnestly hope you can bring this to the attention of a wider audience these matters so that all elderly residents find themselves comfortably able to fully engage in the social life of the resort. 

Dr Kathie Young,

Mt Warren Park.