With the recent denial of the additional three-day quarantine and testing protocol by Governor Ige, Kaua‘i is left with only bad choices. Either we open up like O‘ahu and risk having our hospitals overloaded if there is a spike in cases, or we continue with the 14-day quarantine, which will wreak further havoc on our economy.
We have an idea that would bypass Ige’s denial of a required second COVID test after arrival from off-island.
The idea is a program that creates an incentive for visitors to voluntarily get a second COVID test three days into their visit.
How would this work? It would operate around the concept of malama. Hawai‘i Tourism Authority CEO John DeFries has been talking about a similar program to educate visitors about how to care for our local community.
The program would encourage visitors to get tested after three days on island as a way to malama our community. We could educate and explain to visitors the importance of taking care of our island and our community.
In exchange, visitors who took the COVID test would be given some sort of VIP status, maybe a card, maybe something electronic, that would entitle them to perks all over the island — discounts at restaurants, hotels, shops, attractions, etc.
This would require buy-in from local businesses, and would also perpetuate the malama idea. Visitors malama Kaua‘i with a second test, and Kaua‘i would malama them back with benefits and discounts.
The county has already purchased 15,000 COVID tests, so use those for this program. Visitors could get tested for free.
Anyone who tests positive would be given free room and meals until they are no longer contagious.
This would overcome fears visitors might have of getting stuck with hotel bills for the two weeks they have to isolate before they can go home. The cost of this is much smaller than an outbreak that requires the island to shut down.
This is the framework of the program. We could market it starting on the flight over, in the airport, and in the hotels. We could push local businesses to encourage visitors to participate.
It would be a full-court press. We hope the mayor will give this idea serious consideration. We all want Kaua‘i to continue to be a safe place to live, and we recognize the limitations of our local medical infrastructure, but continuing the two-week quarantine will be the final nail in the coffin of our economy.
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Sonja McGinnis and Mike
McGinnis are Kapa‘a residents.
This makes sense. Finally someone has come up with a win-win.
No to voluntary tests. Either Ige sees the error of his ways or we continue with the 14 day quarantine. Anything else would just throw away six months of personal sacrifice and economic hardship.
According to medical authorities, 3 days is not long enough to show the virus infection, in most cases. Volunteering is just not going to be a full proof way to get people tested, even with theses thoughtful ways of rewarding them for doing it.
2 tests with the 2nd one 6 days after arrival with quarantine till then, is the only way other than opting out and staying with the 14 day quarantine.
Our health demands this and should take precedence over economic concerns. Income is important but lives are much more so.
This is a fine idea but as someone who has worked with tourists for 5 years prior I just don’t see it but it is a start. Just a few points.
One, people would need to be educated before they ever get on the plane. If anything this info should be given to all when buying a plane ticket. I can’t tell you how many people who come not knowing much of anything up to and including that Kaua’i is indeed an island. True!
Two. How and where would this test be given? What about people with no car if you see this done at the hospital. Unless this test is brought to people I just don’t see a tourist taking the time or trouble to comply. Now most will do what they can but you only need one bad apple!
Three. I think the only reward might be monetary. Yes, we might have to bribe them, somehow.
Four. Just this morning I saw that the “second wave” will peak on the mainland in mid January killing a couple thousand per day! What do you think that will do to us? The infection rate will be through the roof for people wanting to come here. We have seen numbers per day of dying we could not imagine back in March but here we are.
We cannot rely on people to comply with a second test just as we cannot rely on people to follow the super simple public health directive to wear a mask.
Sign me up. My wife, daughter and I excited to get back to our empty condo for a couple months. The more testing the better IMO. No brainer if it’s free.
Sounds like a great plan! Having been born in Hawaii we look forward to returning home every year to visit family and friends. As our visits are 4 to 6 weeks long we could endure the 2week quarantine if necessary but being tested two or even three times makes more sense.
I thought I posted here yesterday with a lengthy comment but I’ll sum it up.
This ain’t going to work as described