Target Trump, not Kawakami
There is a path out of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s extensive testing with contact tracing, and isolation of those infected. This path could get us out of the pandemic much sooner than if we open up prematurely and allow a second wave to crash on us. Unfortunately states’ revenues are also crashed, and the states cannot print their own money.
So the funding for these tests and tracings can only be come from the federal government. Those who want to end this crisis and get our lives and economy back to normal should be demonstrating against the recalcitrance of Donald Trump, not against our mayor.
John Patt, Kolo
The Pandemic Today on Kaua’i Compared to the 1940s WWII Era
The Pandemic today holds many similarities to the shortages and challenges during the 1940s WWII era here on Kaua’i. Maybe because we live on a small island of good people that contribute, share, and work together I am seeing a different result than what is being seen in large communities of the US. I see our future as they did during that time: “There was a real sense of ‘we’re all in this together,”. During that time, communities were small and had the ability to make a change and so do we. We also have a Mayor that is promoting this attitude and encouraging change moving forward.
I believe, we on Kauai are reacting similarly to this historical event. I see “Victory” gardens and fishing occurring more than ever before. Families are once again spending time with their children while they abide by the need to stay in place. Parents and Grandparents are taking more time to educate their children and themselves in cooking, gathering, and traditional practices. Everyone is being more selective with grocery purchases and non-essential shopping, in reaction to late or non-existent UI so they are “making do with less” while following the need to avoid traveling.
Decline of meat production? Just another step in the journey, as Kaua’i can take advantage of our hurricane stash of chickens. We just need to start fattening up our yard-art with grain in preparation :). During this era, they also found that when food is limited it promoted healthier diets and I see this occurring here. The result will hopefully also increase our ability to fight this illness.
We will not only get through this, we will thrive! Just as Iniki brought family and neighbors together again, just as WWII cherished creativity and “Fighting the Good Fight”, this too will bring solidarity to our community.
But, most important of all, just like our parents (or our grandparents) made changes “back in the day” we can also plan during this time. This period can enable us to envision and implement a plan to be active with our island government and tourism authority to work toward a better life for our island people moving forward. “The second world war caused unprecedented hardship, but it also accelerated change”. I see change occurring a very tiny bit so far here on Kaua’i; people are discussing it, so at least the door is open.
Thank goodness we are not rationing!
Dawn Gant Wooten, Lihue
Uhhh…excuse me Mr. Patt, blame Trump? The only people who actually believe he isn’t doing a great job fighting this pandemic while striving to save our economy are Democrats and their Socialist children! Isn’t that a coincidence? Is it also a coincidence that the States now begging for a bailout of Federal Tax Payer’s money are Democrat controlled States who are morally corrupt and horribly mismanaged? Stupidity over decades that will always come back to haunt the very citizens of these areas who’s money has been pissed away by Democrat Politicians, who have become incredibly wealthy reprobates! You see, spending other peoples money is the easiest thing in the world to do, especially by the corrupt! These self centered Democrats and Socialists take your hard earned tax payer donated money and give it to our lazy freeloaders for their votes. What a racket! “Free” everything to under achieving free loaders, illegal law breaking aliens, “sanctuary” cities and States, and anyone else who our selfish and power mongering “Democrat” friends believe are stupid enough to believe that “free” stuff actually exists? It doesn’t, and you are deplorably wrong on all counts! In fact, your smoke screened “blame game” should turn it’s focus on Democrats, Socialists, and youself! Get the mirror.
nothings free, you beat me to it! i find it kind of weird that if I posted this, it would be censored! Kudos to hitting the nail squarely on the head.
Well said. The Dems are off the track. Insane.
The people blaming Trump for this mass corona-hysteria are the same people who have CNN/MSNBC playing in the background all day while nodding approvingly every time an “anchor/reporter” says anything disparaging against Trump. The same type of person who would vote for an (alleged) rapist just to watch Trump lose. Anyone who thinks a “second wave” can be stopped if you just give the Stay-at-Home order more time is highly delusional. But…being as this is still a free country, feel free to quarantine permanently for fear of a disease. I mean, as we all know, COVID19 is LITERALLY the first disease ever, and if we all just stay indoors it’ll most definitely be the last, right?
If you want someone or something to blame, blame the true culprit, the communist Chinese government, who lied (and STILL lies) about this disease, causing millions to become infected with something that could have been contained early on. If you drink the Kool-aid and believe that it was a “bat at a wet market”, ask yourself why a country that supposedly has more net worth than the US doesn’t have ANY semblance of food safety protocols. If you have at least a little common sense, why wouldn’t you blame the government that hid, for MONTHS, a disease that miraculously cropped up just down the street from China’s only known virus testing(bioweapons?) lab. Get a grip, turn off the TV and look around.
Anybody reading these columns in our paper might think there are equal numbers of Trump supporters and Trump detractors here—whereas nothing would be further from reality. Suffice it to say that (solidly blue) Hawaii and (with little exception) Kauai, aren’t exactly Trump country. But of course the minority has a way of echoing their boss’ loud & bombastic manner by making as much (fact-free) noise as possible.
What was it Shakespeare said about raving charlatans like Trump?
“…A poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” —Unfortunately the damage Trump does to our country WILL signify….but if held to one term, recovery and healing may be possible. Please vote in November. Even in a state where he hasn’t a prayer we can all send a message to the world that his message of division, isolation, corrupt governance and hate has no place in America.
And another “orange man bad” reply which has zero to due with the subject at hand. You’re right, hatred has no place in America, starting with people like you… Let your hate give way to facts and reality. Vote with your brain, not with emotion.
Right LJ. I’ll be sure and attend a Trump rally so I can learn to check my emotions, shed all my hatred and vote with my brain. Meantime, you’re right about “orange man bad.”
The United States makes up about 5% of the world’s population.
The United States has the largest number of infections and deaths from the pandemic.
The United States, since taking that “top spot,” has been consistently running at about 33% of the world’s infections and 26% of the world’s deaths, COMPLETELY OUT OF LINE WITH OUR RELATIVE SIZE.
How does the richest, most powerful nation the world has ever seen have such THIRD WORLD RESULTS in regards to this pandemic?
The answer is that an INCOMPETENT, TWO BIT WANNABE DICTATOR gave us a THIRD WORLD RESPONSE to the pandemic.
If this is what “MAGA” means to you people, then something is seriously wrong.
No amount of real-time revisionism is going to alter how history records this episode. And we aren’t even done with this! The number of infections and deaths are only going to increase further until a vaccine is available. Meanwhile, nutcases are marching into statehouses with firearms and no PPE to protest measures intended to check the viruses spread and people yell at front line medical workers that they should “Got to China” if they want Communism. These people, who clearly don’t seem to care if they or others get sick, are the same people who talked about “death panels” in regards to ACA. They seem to be perfectly fine sacrificing the lives of the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, and other medical conditions that would put them at risk.
I am amazed at how you people keep besting your previous levels of hypocrisy and insanity.
Just out of curiosity, have you people returned your Socialist government handout check? The handout is probably great as long as you are the one getting it, right?
Well put Dawn. Putting in a V garden has helped me cope with the sometimes overwhelming news of the day. I highly recommend gardening, whether a pot of sage or a piece of your backyard. Lucky live Kaua’i never rang truer!
Blue States fund Red States to the tune of hundreds of billions. Facts guy.
Extensive testing is not the solution…During the peak of Covid-19 in New York when only symptomatic patients were tested, less than 50% of those test came back positive. On the other end of the spectrum…In Hawaii, as of May 1st, less than 2% (617) of those tested (31.157) tested positive for the virus.
More importantly, the test is only valid for one point in time so just because you tested negative today does not mean you won’t test positive tomorrow.
Testing needs to be strategic: For Kauai Residents testing should be limited to: 1) symptomatic patients; 2) people who had contact with those Covid-19 positive; 3) Periodic Testing (Daily,Weekly,Bi-Weekly) for hospital employees, first responders , careers that require close contact (dentists, Hair Salons), and employees in jobs that involve high volume interaction (retail and restaurant employees). ‘
We know how Covid-19 is coming to Kauai…20 out of 21 cases on Kauai were traveled related. We need to come to terms that Covid-19 will be coming to Kauai, there is no avoiding it, Kauai is dependent on tourism.
Testing every arriving passenger is time consuming, not practical, and truly not effective. Testing also needs to be strategic. Screening passengers with thermal testing could be a first line of defense with a test for those passengers arriving (or leaving) with fevers.
We have learned a lot about Covid-19 in the past eight weeks: 1) It is not as deadly as once thought especially for those under 60 without the comorbidities and 2) social distancing works.
We need go get back to living, we need to get back to work, and we need to accept that wearing mask and social distancing are going to be part of our daily lives (especially in the near future). Until an effective treatment is found, those at risk with comorbidities and our Kapuna need to live with restrictions.
Trump for Prison 2020
Lawaibob….a voice of reason! Thank you.