County ‘Action on AIDS’

The Times has once again demonstrated its leadership with its editorial “Action on AIDS”(Dec. 10). The Times recognizes as we do that Dec. 8 was a new beginning for the county and let us hope that it is the opening shot in a truly all out war against AIDS.

If, as I believe it does, the board of Supervisors’ action represents a willingness and a desire to own the issue of AIDS and begin to exert its leadership then we have something truly to be thankful for this holiday season.

I make note of the fact that when the board voted to commit itself fully to hospice care it was unanimous. One has come to expect the wholehearted support of Supervisor Ed Edelman, but it should be noted that Supervisor Deane Dana made a very powerful statement of support as well. Dana said that we can wait no longer for state and federal help, we must move forward immediately. Then in the crowning moment of an exhilarating day, Supervisor Mike Antonovich seconded Edelman’s motion.

We had a summit of our own in Los Angeles on Dec. 8. On that day Los Angeles as a whole came together, put aside politics and prejudice, rolled up its sleeves and started the arduous task of taking care of its own during this nightmare we call AIDS.

We will suffer tremendous losses as a result of this disease but, one loss we will not endure is the loss of our pride as a community of responsibility and compassion. Let 1988 be the year in which Los Angeles becomes a world leader in the care of persons with AIDS.

MICHAEL WEINSTEIN

L.A. AIDS Hospice Committee