Torrance prepares for rush at flu clinic

Torrance will treat swine flu as a "bioterrorism" incident. Not the illness itself, mind you - the response to it in the form of a free vaccination clinic planned for Dec.

[RB Mom]

I'd just like to point out that the clinic that was set up to run in Redondo Beach at Beach Cities Health Clinic, was set up as a drive thru because there is not ample parking there. At BCHC on any given day of the week there is a major lack of parking, let alone at a "free vaccination" event. There is no way this facility could have handled the unruly crowd that showed up. People keep stating the lazyness of others for going to the drive thru clinic, I live 4 blocks away and was disappointed that there was no walk up available, however, they were accepting walk ups early in the morning. This was a poorly planned and run event, a lesson should be taken from the clinic that was run in Wilmington, they did an awesome job.

[Tom]

Thanks for the warning; I'll be staying well away from the Wilson Park area on that infamous day

[Tim L]

I hope everyone acts responsibly. Pregnant women, children and the sickly first, if you are not one of the aforementioned, don't prevent someone who is, of getting their NEEDED vaccine! Relax, follow the outlined precautions put forth by the CDC and show some courage...

[Gull A Bull]

Yes, please comply to all government ordinances. They only have YOUR best interests in mind.

[ted]

$6,000? If the Police and Fire Departments have to keep watch, is it realistic to believe only $6000 will be spent? I don't mind the amount it will cost but am upset that, once again, public officials are mis-stating the true costs! Can't we ever get the truth, whether good or bad news, from public officials?

[Torrance Mom]

There is ample parking at Wilson Park and since this is scheduled for a Monday, the crowds might not be too heavy compared to having it on a weekend. The biggest problem is getting in and out of the park on the Crenshaw side. The traffic on Crenshaw is a nightmare on Farmer's Market days.

[Community Member]

Why don't they charge $30 or $50 per vaccine for this?? No matter who pays (LA County, the Fed or the city of Torrance) we all pay for this with our tax dollars! Aren't we in a deep recession? This is a double wammy. Some students may have to miss a day from school, which means the school loses money for that particular day and then we have to pay for the nurses, the police and paramedics too. Gosh, at some point, there needs to be someone who says, ENOUGH freebies!! OK, for those who are low income and really need a free vaccine, show some proof (e.g., unemployment stubs, food stamps, medi-cal, whatever.....) and you get your vaccine for free. But for everyone else, pay up! I think this will cut down on the number of people who really shouldn't be taking the vaccine until later too.

[RED]

BCHD was warned by people that was going to happen but they did not listen so they got what they deserved.

[Get Real]

sheeples

[Got H1N1 vaccine]

Yesterday (Sunday 11/8) the whole family got the H1N1 vaccine and it was only a 5 minute wait & that included completing the paperwork & it was free! This was at the Jessee Owens Park on Western Avenue. I couldn't believe it when a friend called so we went down & got it done! Lots of police & the most well organized system I've ever seen the county run. I hope the Torrance event is run well!

[Vic]

My wife is in the hospital right this minute with swine flu. This thing is NOTHING to screw around with. GET THAT SHOT!!!!

[illegalsrillegal]

Thats funny, written "In Plain English" yet the vast majority of people going to the "clinics" dont speak english. It would be nice if people had to PROVE their residency, but noooo all the burdens will just remain on citizens ie. tax payers.

[enough already]

OMG SHUT UP! Enough of racial comments. People are people and every person deserves the right to be well. It should't matter where you came from. I seem to find these types of comments in every story I read. Is that really necessary?

[Vic]

enough already wrote:

OMG SHUT UP! Enough of racial comments. People are people and every person deserves the right to be well. It should't matter where you came from. I seem to find these types of comments in every story I read. Is that really necessary?

You can always tell when the truth hurts. You told to "SHUT UP" when there is no reasonable rebuttal to an argument the "SHUT UP" starts. Ok, next the nasty name calling, anything to avoid the truth.

[Torrance Resident]

I have a solution for this problem. Inform the public that the swine flu is less dangerous than the regular flu. Inform them that even though pregnant women are urged to get it, the flu insert itself says pregnant women should not get it. Inform them it has not been adequately tested. Inform them that it is not the same as the regular flu vaccine (squalene which has been linked to Gulf War Syndrome and is not in the regular flu vaccine). Inform them if you are injured, Congress has granted immunity so you have no legal recourse for your injury. That should lighten the traffic.

[Garrett Lee]

illegalsrillegal wrote:

Thats funny, written "In Plain English" yet the vast majority of people going to the "clinics" dont speak english. It would be nice if people had to PROVE their residency, but noooo all the burdens will just remain on citizens ie. tax payers.

You and I will get sick just the same no matter if the cooties come from a citizen or not. Germs show no favoritism. When people get sicker and end up in the hospital you will bear more of the tax burden in the end anyway. It is for that very reason we don't let people run around with TB and Hepatitis. Unless you run around with a mask capable of filtering out TB and gloves, don't tell me what others do doesn't affect you. Who do you think has their hands all over your food??? We don't live in a bubble. I work at a hospital and will end up at a clinic because there is a shortage of shots and am required to get one or wear a mask when in contact with my patient. What you are saying is ill informed. Also please check your spelling in future posts (as in the use of apostrophe's as an example) and I won't classify you as the same as those who you choose to degrade.

[Torrgal]

Community Member wrote:

Why don't they charge $30 or $50 per vaccine for this?? No matter who pays (LA County, the Fed or the city of Torrance) we all pay for this with our tax dollars! Aren't we in a deep recession? This is a double wammy. Some students may have to miss a day from school, which means the school loses money for that particular day and then we have to pay for the nurses, the police and paramedics too. Gosh, at some point, there needs to be someone who says, ENOUGH freebies!! OK, for those who are low income and really need a free vaccine, show some proof (e.g., unemployment stubs, food stamps, medi-cal, whatever.....) and you get your vaccine for free. But for everyone else, pay up! I think this will cut down on the number of people who really shouldn't be taking the vaccine until later too.

"OK, for those who are low income and really need a free vaccine, show some proof (e.g., unemployment stubs, food stamps, medi-cal, whatever.....) and you get your vaccine for free. But for everyone else, pay up!" Wellllllllll...not everyone is able to show PROOF. Self employed people who no longer have income or a business are not entitled to unemployment, food stamps, Medi-Cal, etc. We're just outta luck. and you suggest we shouldn't be able to get a flu shot if we can't prove we have no income?? Just another way to screw the self employed.

[Garrett Lee]

You know, I tried to pay for one. The problem being those places were all out. So you go to where the supply is the greatest. In this case, yes-free clinics. People are willing to pay so it's not all about that. That's why the pharmacy's at Ralph's, Rite Aid and the likes are out of supply. Public health problems are not a class issue as some race baiters would like to think.

[melissa terkel]

You might be surprised to find out that our doctor isn't even going to order any vaccine. Since we are on medicare/HMO, where do you suggest we get our swine flu shot. Think before you speak.

The govenment can't even get those at risk vaccinated, just imagine the mess we will all be in when they start running our health care.