Couragous help in a time of need
I would like to thank all the people that helped put out the fire that burned my truck. It took a lot of courage and aloha. The staff at Kapaa Ace Hardware, the Fire Department and the Police were magnificent.
I would like to thank the person who provided the tow strap and attaching it to the truck and the driver who pulled the truck out of harms way. To the person who provided the strap, which was left behind, please call or text at 808-634-6118, I want to replace it.
Ming Fang, Kilauea
Kaua‘i must police the virus here
On Monday, an excellent letter to the editor appeared in TGI regarding the 72-hour test prior to coming to Hawai‘i.
The idea is nice, but obviously flawed, as the letter pointed out.
What could happen in the interim 72 hours? What could happen on a plane? What could happen in airports? Etc., etc. etc. Is this really the best we can do?
The Economic and Community Recovery Navigator and its Travelers Chart doesn’t require any additional COVID-19 test upon arrival. Once the traveler is allowed to vacation freely, the chart says, “minimize interactions/monitor.” What does that mean? That phrasing is open to very subjective interpretation by travelers, and we have already had enough quarantine violators.
If you are flying to Austria (no, not us Americans; we’re not welcome, as our country is too-highly infected), here’s how they handle it. An Austrian citizen who flies into Austria pays about $200. Said citizen gets off the plane and is given a COVID-19 test and sequestered for about 15 minutes, then given the results. Why is it that the country of Austria can get test results in minutes and tests in America take days to get results?
And the reason we can’t do that? Is it the money? Since we don’t have the national leadership to provide us with such tests, by default the responsibility has fallen onto the state of Hawai‘i and onto each county. The traveler to Austria had to pay for it. On this island we, the taxpayers, have paid to fly people off the island even when they’ve broken the quarantine. We on the island of Kaua‘i don’t need to welcome COVID-19 with an aloha spirit of desperation.
The state guidelines appear to be insufficient, therefore the County of Kaua‘i needs to continue to do whatever else is necessary to protect the residents of Kaua‘i, as Mayor Kawakami has done thus far.
Lawrence Hornbeck, Kilauea
Mr. Hornbeck: You ask, “Why is it that the country of Austria can get test results in minutes and tests in America take days to get results?” The answer is simple: Donald J. Trump.
The ultimate protection are a healthy optimal nervous and immune systems.
Which needs discussion and education.
Mahalo
Lawrence is 100% correct. Rapid testing is becoming widely available on the mainland at universities and some workplaces. Without a negative test taken once they arrive and paid for BY THEM, then they can circulate. Anything less is jeopardizing our Covid-free island bubble. Why lower standards now??
I completely agree. There should be testing at the airport and no one goes anywhere except a holding area at the airport NOT some hotel. If they don’t pass then it’s sorry and bye bye or sequester at the visitors expense.
The alternative is wait for the numbers game and we get a break out here that forces sequester on everyone! As long as the mainland has a high positivity we have to protect ourselves.
So which is most cost effective? Procure a rapid test at a cost per tourist or shutdown the economy at ours?
And remember who lied to people about the risk of Covid19 to the American people.
Absolutely protect beautiful Kauai…quick testing travelers and appropriate quarantine.
This is an aggressive and persistent virus. Mr. Mayor please do not lift the 14 day quarantine. Keep the national guard, keep the contact tracing. Protecting the people will in the end protect a robust economic recovery.