Residents should count for something
So let me get this straight. In an interview with Gov. Ige which appeared a couple days ago in The Garden Island in which he discussed the new protocols for testing people coming into Hawai‘i to avoid the 14-day quarantine, the governor said that shortly before leaving for Hawai‘i visitors needed to go to a CVS on the mainland to be tested for the coronavirus.
He specified that they must go to a CVS in their home state. Then he was asked, well, what about returning residents. He blustered a bit, then basically said it was just tough toenails for residents wanting to return without having to sit two weeks in their homes. Apparently he’d not thought that out yet.
Those of us who call Hawai‘i home and have been isolated for months now would love to visit friends and family on the mainland. It’s ridiculous that the governor hadn’t thought of those of us who live here and what we are to do if we visit the mainland. I hope he enlarges upon the testing protocol to provide for residents who return from travels. Don’t those of us who live here count for something?
Cmdr. Ken Fasig, U.S. Navy (ret.), Kalaheo
Identify those with positive virus tests
Those (visiting, returning) from their travel from the mainland or foreign countries who test positive for COVID-19 virus should have some kind of identification on them. Maybe a color band on the wrist, or some kind of necklace to identify the person has the virus.
It would be for our good, and the good of the EMT personnel and/or anyone who is qualified to administer CPR.
Let’s color-code these people. Especially now that people are starting to visit and not abide by the COVID-19 rules our state and county leaders has set.
Howard Tolbe, ‘Ele‘ele
All must do their part to stop spread of virus
I am disappointed that The Garden Island has chosen to reprint the misleading editorial entitled, “Don’t give in to fear, panic” in today’s paper.
Although I agree that a healthy lifestyle is a good recommendation and may offer some benefit in fighting disease in general, COVID-19 is unique. Because it is a novel coronavirus, there is no pre-existing immunity to the Sars-Cov-2 virus, and therefore prudent steps must be taken to avoid exposure to it, such as frequent hand-washing, social distancing and wearing masks. In addition, the extremely-contagious nature of this virus combined with the myriad symptoms and possible devastating complications from the disease emphasize the necessity to protect against transmission.
The author’s assertion that statistics on asymptomatic COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and mortality rates is unavailable is inaccurate. I would refer your readers to the following websites: CDC.gov, coronavirus.jhu.edu, and WHO.int for the latest information.
The constant reminder that the virus is out there and spreading is not meant to instill fear as much as it is meant to remind the public to be vigilant about protecting ourselves and others from a chance exposure. “Safe reopening” is a fiction without these precautions. Be smart, listen to the science, and do your part.
Joan Sable, Kapa‘a
• Editor’s note: Sable is a retired medical researcher.
Howard
Are you aware of the fact that you live in the United States?
Thank you Joan for your common sense comment.
If residents choose to leave this relatively safe island to visit any area more heavily impacted by COVID-19, and then expect to avoid the 14-day quarantine on their return, they are showing complete disregard for the safety of all other Kauai residents.
Complete disregard for others is not aloha. I suspect the person who wrote that letter is one who recently moved to this beautiful island and has not yet absorbed the meaning of aloha.
Howard Tolbe has an interesting idea to put an easily-identifiable wristband or piece of clothing on everyone who has the virus, to alert the rest of us to stay away. I’m reminded of a novel “The scarlet letter” where an adulteress had to wear a big red letter A on her dresses; and I know we often put a bell around the neck of a cat so it cannot sneak up on birds. Kayden. Use an indelible marker-pen to draw a “V” on the spreader’s forehead; it will fade away after 14 days. Sort of like an accused criminal forced to wear an ankle-bracelet so cops can keep track of whereabouts, only make the bracelet a brightly-colored electronic belt or sash. Or give them the choice to go to Kalaupapa.
Dear Cmdr. Ken Fasig, U.S. Navy (ret.) from Kalaheo,
Let ME get this straight.
Please spare us your ignorance.You now have me concerned that the Navy is promoting those who are not the sharpest tools in the shed.
The Governor extended the quarantine till the end of August and may extend it further. When it ends, those wishing to fly into Hawaii trans-Pacific will be required to have a negative Covid 19 test within 72 hours of their flight.
That test can be obtained in any state on the mainland, despite the slip the governor might have made. The real problem is the difficulty for everyone on the mainland to get a timely test result. You can blame Trump and his minions for that. He wants less, not more, tests.
Why should someone who has a home in Hawaii be exempted? They could be coming from a hot spot on the mainland and have contracted the disease. Do you really believe that we should allow them into without the proper safety protocol?
Please think about what you are saying before writing a LTE. Better to contact the Mayor and governor and state legislators to express your opinion about home state testing and state your concerns. You have plenty of time to make your case before the quarantine is lifted. And if it is not, just get used to the idea that you may have to quarantine for 2 weeks.
And Howard…what? A wristband? Those (visiting, returning) from their travel from the mainland or foreign countries who test positive for COVID-19 virus should NOT be allowed to arrive on Hawaii at all. Period. End of story. And those few who arrive after a mandated negative Covid 19 test and then display Covid 19 symptoms should be treated the same as anyone who is living here who displays symptoms…get tested. If you are positive, get to the hospital and listen to the medical pros. Either get admitted or go home and self-isolate.
Oh Howard….color coded wrist bands? Why not sew yellow stars on their clothing as they are processed into the Mayor’s resort concentration camps?
“Editor’s note: Sable is a retired medical researcher.”
And???
Excellent letter Joan Sable!
CMDR…why on earth would you want to visit the ‘mainland’ at this time of escalating pandemic there? Be blessed to live on Kauai and STAY PUT for now.
Howard, sooooo a big, scarlet C, pinned to the front of their chests…?
Howard, what you are proposing is, as some have pointed out, no different than making people wear that yellow Star of David on their arms back in Hitler’s day. Do you realize what you sound like? Like one of those “Sig heil!” fascist types. Very unAmerican, devoid of Aloha Spirit. For shame. I hope you don’t get covid and have to identify yourself in public. There is no human being on the planet that would like the treatment from the general mob public that follows that kind of marking.
I agree with Howard. That couple on the Big Island that suing Gov. Ige are a great example. She moved there on July 7 and was suppose to quarantine. Instead, she was swimming and lounging at the community pool of their town home complex. July 11th the police paid them a visit = 4 days of disrespecting her quarantine. Had she been wearing a bracelet others in the complex would have seen it, and could have alerted the authorities earlier. Let’s hope she’s not sick!