No reason to continue lockdown
I was at the protest today (Friday, May 1) by the old county building, with people who are demanding an end to the lock-down of the island, and I saw a couple photographers and heard that at least one of the was from The Garden Island. I hope this demonstration gets some coverage in the paper. By my count and by friends at the rally we noted between 125 and 150 participants, plus an enthusiastic response from motorists on Rice Street.
Today’s protest brought together a very diverse group of people with all sorts of political views. There were Native Hawaiians, haoles, long-time residents, malahinis, people from all walks of life, but the one thing we all had in common was that we want the island and its businesses to open up.
I’m retired and draw a military pension. I don’t have to work, but I was there in support of those people who are really HURT from this shutdown. They want to get back to work. They need to get back to work. One guy said he had just $68 left to live on. There are no corona cases left on the island. There are no longer any good reasons to continue to shut things down. Other states with far more corona cases are starting to reopen. Kaua‘i should, too, and the rest of the state.
A week ago you published a letter from some woman who said that those who wanted the restrictions lifted and to be able to return to work were “selfish.” I see things quite differently. I see this woman as extremely selfish, who cares only about herself and her safety and is living in fear in her house.
And, yes, the media has stirred up some frightening fears over this virus. Never mind that the death rate outside of New York City is less than seasonal flu. But if this woman wants to hunker down and hide in her home, fine. We aren’t asking her to come out. She can stay holed up until they come up with a vaccine, if that ever happens. Meanwhile, she shouldn’t be so selfish to demand that everybody else hides away, too.
Cmdr. Ken Fasig, USN (ret.), Kalaheo
2 Timothy 1-7,God has not given us a Spirit of Fear,but of Power,Love and A SOUND MIND!
mAhalo Commander, for your letter! Anyone interested in reading truth and integrity can not be displayed by TGI, only FB, cuz they scayed! B&R USAF Intelligence Officers’ brat daughter! Sir! ive a true story top secret 1959 out of Hickham AFB! i was age 11 at the time, but i heard a USN officer ask my USAF officer about “noose” placement in Hawaii nei!
We completely flattened the curve. Looks like politics are getting in the way of restarting.
It appears you have been misinformed about the death rates of the seasonal flu compared to the COVID 19 virus. You may want to do a little better research before stating falsehoods as fact.
The response to this virus was an attack on free enterprise! Government workers should share proportionately in the pain!
Thanks for your service Commander- but your experience with warfare isn’t going to help us now. This isn’t a war. There is no enemy. Covid isn’t even alive – it just wants to replicate in human cells. I think everyone wants this to end and it IS ending. Surely you participated in missions where timing and patience were key – this is like that. It’s likely that Kauai will continue to have low or zero cases, but tourists are still slipping in and past the quarantine squad down at the airport. At this point only people from off-island are likely to carry covid so we have to make plans to test test test visitors, first responders etc until a vaccine comes. We’re not ready to do this yet and we cannot do typical “Ready, Fire, Aim” that is often the case. Opening will happen people! Let’s not drop the ball 5 yards from the end zone!
I was across the street at the Texaco gas station. Believe me. Those honking their horns were not doing so in support you idiots!
As it turns out the letter from “some woman” reiterates what the medical community is telling us. Until we have a vaccine or at least a valid treatment for COVID, lives are on the line. So is it your life or your job? Possibly. No one likes this situation, everyone wants to work but the virus is not over. It has been controlled by our willingness to stay apart, stay home and wear masks.
Wanting something does not remove facts. Please be safe.
Cmdr. Ken…I have sent over a plane load of New Yorkers seeking warmer weather!
Enjoyl
Recently nurses requested: “WE GO TO WORK FOR YOU. STAY HOME FOR US.”
I don’t know how much simpler or clearer it can be stated. These protesters (not protectors) are selfish and out of touch. To place themselves at risk is one thing but to endanger an entire community is unconscionable. The spread of Covid-19 was not done intentionally, but through carelessness and in many cases inadvertently.
There are 1.2 million cases of Covid-19 with over 65,650 deaths nationwide. If rational people can’t see the dangers involved in opening things up prematurely and arbitrarily, than the Governor and Mayor must step in and show some leadership to protect the general public and misguided protesters from themselves.
I understand what you’re trying to say, but I just don’t buy it nor do I support this mindset. No matter how things are rationalized, there is still the fact that parents, wives, husbands, grandparents, and even children are dying from this pandemic.
I also want to truly thank our health care workers for their sacrifices—Words fail to express how much you are appreciated. Thank you so very much.
Another voice of reason coming from a love of liberty…every human’s birthright.
I firmly believe as you do Ken. For those who are worried, frightened or immune-compromised…stay locked up and by all means take any measures you want. Individual’s need to be responsible for their own actions and leave the rest of us to our own lives.
Thank you,
RG DeSoto
The death rate for the CoronaVirus outside of New York is less than the seasonal flu? Where did you get your numbers? For the US 65,000 have died vs 1.1 million infected, which is approximately 6 percent. Worldwide 239,000 have died vs 3.3 million infected, which is 7 percent. Seasonal flu death rate is 0.1 percent. Not only that, CoronaVirus is much more contagious! Good grief, Charlie Brown, what a screwed up argument!
That the NAVY could have people in command who are this wrong is, I guess, something that shouldn’t be surprising. But it is downright frightening.
Mr. Fasig, are you the one in that picture holding up the sign about “5G + virus = tyranny” by any chance?
Were there any Flat Earthers and Antivaxxers at the protest as well?
I predicted that if strong preventitive measures worked it would look like we never needed them. Here it is.
Amen Sir and thank you for your service.
Right on Ken! This EXTREME lock down should have been lifted weeks ago. What will Mayor K do if another COVID case should turn up in, lets say 3 weeks? Will he impose a lock down again for 28 day, or longer? It should not take much common sense to see that this is not a viable solution, but then it seems common sense isn’t so common anymore. The solution being demonstrated all around the world is…… (drum beat please). 1) Protect the elderly and those with underlying conditions until a vaccine is available. 2) Quarantine anyone with the virus, and 3) implement robust contact tracing. You can toss in test travelers to the island (tourist and residents) if you wish. Do these things and let life return to normal as it is in the rest of the country.
Since you can be infected, and many are, without showing any symptoms, how do you know the person next to you isn’t infected, and infecting you?