Complacency could kill

Emphysema patient, 81, says neighbours aren’t taking COVID seriously

AN ELDERLY Gold Coast resident who’s been in and out of hospital 11 times this year battling with emphysema claims social distancing is being ignored in the tower he lives in.

Retiree Vincent Comito, 81, told the Bulletin he was worried he would become seriously ill or die if he contracted COVID-19.

He’s also concerned about the safety of his 82-year-old wife after Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette

Young said there was potentially undetected cases in the community.

Mr Comito said 15 people had crammed into a lift with him at Mantra Towers of Chevron. That’s despite the Queensland Government warning people should maintain social distancing.

“I was very annoyed about all the people in the lift and I said to them there was far too many of us here and everyone has to obey the rules,” Mr Comito said. “A woman told me to basically get stuffed.

“Because of our age we’re very concerned. My concern is not only about ourselves but all the people who are staying here as well. I counted 18 people in the spa the other day.”

Mr Comito said he had contacted management of the Surfers Paradise towers to ask for better regulation of coronavirus preventive measures, but felt he has been ignored. The Bulletin attempted to speak to the building’s management or body corporate over the phone, but was unable to reach anyone to discuss the matter.

Subsequently, Towers of Chevron was contacted via email to respond to the concerns.

“I had some valves put in my lungs three years ago and they weren’t working, so for the last 12 months I’ve been waiting to have them taken out,” Mr Comito said.

“There’s been very big complications. I’ve been in and out of hospital 11 times, so that gives you a bit more of an idea why I’m so concerned.

“At our age, the coronavirus is the last thing we want to catch.

“We all have to obey the rules. I’ve been trying to find out who’s actually responsible here.”

Mr Comito said he “spoke to the desk downstairs, the building manager, the body corporate manager” but had been “fobbed off”.

He said he also tried to get government authorities involved, but had no luck.

The elderly are particularly susceptible to the contagious virus.

Mr Comito’s concerns coincide with a lack of social distancing reported around the Coast in the lead-up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Crowds without masks have been seen cramming into shopping centres, prompting Mayor Tom Tate to plead with residents and visitors to do the right thing.

AT OUR AGE, THE CORONAVIRUS IS THE LAST THING WE WANT TO CATCH. VINCENT COMITO