I got quite irritated as I watched a person who owns multiple nursing homes doing a TV news interview from behind a fancy desk with a backdrop decorated with what looked like high-end paintings and decorations. This person wants funding from the government to help with the covid-19 outbreak in nursing homes.

The average stay in a nursing home costs between $7,441 and $8,365 per month (often not covered by insurance). People who own these establishments are making a very lucrative living while providing an important but depressing service to society. I feel they have an obligation to protect their residents and employees. Granted, a pandemic situation is not the norm, but to be as ill-prepared as they claim to be is inexcusable. They take in big money and pay out the minimum, and in some cases offer the minimum care to meet state requirements at the expense of the dignity and respect of seniors. Now they see an opportunity to cry out for government funds.

They should be investing some of that lucrative income to be more prepared, including personal protective equipment for staff and protection for patients. We are losing one of our irreplaceable resources in life — our seniors. They should not now or ever be put at risk for profits.

Jack Juris

Buffalo Township

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