Blow off social responsibility: COVID-19 style ?
Recently, I flew to Oahu for a medical appointment. I appreciate what Hawaiian Airlines is doing to keep my elderly body safe from this horrifically pathogenic virus.
Boarding the flight back to Kona, the people respected distancing. Then a young “cool” fellow boarded the plane, his mask ever so efficiently protecting his chin, flirted with the flight attendant. Then he walked down the airplane aisle, with his chin masked. This microbiologist was annoyed into action.
“You know,” I said, “masks work a whole lot better worn correctly.”
“Take care of yourself,” he snapped.
I replied, “I am, I am indeed.”
The notion that a mask will prevent all risk of infection is not based on science. However, when an infected person, even breathes or speaks, virus will seed the air. A mask can knock down some of that virus.
I started wearing my mask before it became a requirement. I told the staff at Kaiser Kona, I wear this mask to protect you from me. They smiled. It is the pono thing to do.
Richard Bennett PHD
Kona
People will not continue to stand idle
I do not think I am the only one on this Island that has an abundance of common sense, but I fear that our political system is devoid of this most essential asset. Somewhere economics 101 should have been in our elected officials schooling?
If 80% of our money is derived from tourism, why are we not focusing on getting testing at all departure gates to the islands? It makes no sense to open anything that is not directly related to this. Drop the 14-day quarantine now and just test at the airports. Those that pass can fly and those that do not stay home until they do. Very simple.
I read all about the soft opening of shops around the Big Island, but who will want to open with no one to spend money. Last time I checked, the Big Island was not a very wealthy populace and in no way able to support the shops that have been cleared to open. Who in their right mind is going to open up their shop and just stand around looking stupid? If you’re on commission you will starve and if you are getting a wage the shopkeeper will go broke, even with the government sending money.
The little money in the hands of the local population will be going to feed their families, not buying trinkets in our local shops. Please wake up before there are serious protests in the streets. Believe me when I say that there will be protests as many are being planned as I type this letter.
The people will not continue to stand idle while there lives are being destroyed. I hope Mr. Kim at his advanced age can untether himself from Mr. Ige’s lack of intestinal fortitude and in the process show why he is still relevant as a prospective Mayor in the upcoming election?
Bob Johnson
Kailua-Kona
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