A reader responds to “Life and Death” —

I don’t wish ill on anyone, but I’m sure Trisha and Scott would be grateful for their disproportionate compensation and benefits package and understand the importance of being treated like a human being if they faced the same situation [cancer]. We are not cogs in a machine, even if our acquiescence to the status quo and our commitment to working for the benefit of our community keeps the machine running smoothly. Tricia and Scott [executive team], et al, you are the “leaders” of a unique organism. Our health is important.

Why does Esalen not pay [nurse] Helen? She and [doctor] Geno and the other medically skilled people on property are vitally important to the community as well as to the paying customers. The nearest hospital is 45 miles away, the nearest medical clinic is 15 miles away, all on one unpredictable, curvy mountain road. Someone cuts or burns themselves in the kitchen nearly on a daily basis. I personally have been injured in my job and relied on the help of the medically trained members of our community.

It is irresponsible for the administration to be so blatantly uncaring about the health needs of the people who serve it.

—Anonymous