Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus, his sleigh will be sprayed down with antiseptic and he might be wearing a mask, but chances are he’ll be flying as usual this year.
Christmas will go on as planned, I’ll just bet.
This is because in Hawaii, the virus situation has been improving since March, and if this lowering trend continues, less than eight months from now this scourge could easily be ending here. Things are looking up.
This morning, May 13, West Hawaii Today on page 5A announced that there was not one active COVID-19 case on our island. That’s great.
The two TV news stations in Oahu recently reported that statewide in April there were 635 cases, but most have recovered. Now there is a total of 48 active cases in the whole state. Dropping from 635 to 48 in two months shows that in Hawaii coronavirus is coming to a halt. The higher 635 refers to those who once had it, 48 is the amount who still have it.
There are two more things that point to the reduction. The first is that Lt. Gov. Dr. Josh Green told that “we will reach normalcy really fast, we’re getting more normal each week.” That’s a quote. The second is that for the last few days (I watch faithfully every morning) the two Hawaii news shows have stopped showing the numbers of active cases in Hawaii. It has been omitted. There is no more island by island count.
Why? The numbers are too low, it is not a top story anymore. COVID-19 is becoming old news. It seems in Hawaii is moving on.
Along with this reduction comes the easing of nervousness. In early March, people in Kona were frantically grabbing up toilet paper, and grocery lines were 20 deep in the stores. Costco looked like an apocalyptic movie with hundreds of shoppers surging toward the doors.
A short eight weeks later, people are calmer and grocery lines are normal as ever. There’s heavier traffic in town showing that not many are staying home nowadays.
It looks like Santa Claus might fly in December.
As the numbers of the virus go lower so does the concern for distancing. The laws and people can relax, as they are doing more and more each day.
With such progress I believe this is how things in Hawaii will go.
By mid-June, all businesses will be up and running, except the ones with personal touching, (massage, nail salons) those will open later. By September, the laws will ease on beaches and parks, all will be able to sit, swim and surf freely.
Next comes restaurants opening, a tricky proposition because regular seating brings up the issue of wearing a mask.
Three or four months of 90 degree heat could stop coronavirus in Hawaii almost completely. So it is very possible that by November in Hawaii, masks will be optional, allowing restaurants to open with regular seating. And won’t that be nice?
Soon after this distancing will ease up and the waiting lines will be over. You’ll walk into a store and everywhere, freely and naturally again.
By December Christmas tree lots will most likely sell trees as usual. Shopping will be like it’s always been, buying toys for the kids and presents for everyone.
Christmas lights will twinkle in the yards, trees will be seen on top of cars, shakas everywhere and Aloha will fill the air.
And as for Santa, he will fly this year, and when he does he will shout, “Merry Christmas to all, and all will be well”.
Count on it.
Dennis Gregory writes a bi-monthly column for West Hawaii Today and welcomes comments at makewavess@yahoo.com