Tests are cheap, illnesses are not
So far, we in Hawaii have done an excellent job of protecting ourselves. As flights start to increase, we need a way to avoid starting a second wave of infection. Certainly TSA should be taking rapid temperatures, with any fever nullifying the flight for anyone over 100 degrees. But that is not enough.
Rapid testing before boarding is absolutely essential. However, rapid antigen tests are not perfect. The best rapid tests still miss about 10% (1 in 10) of people who actually carry the virus. Missing 10% of people who carry a deadly pandemic virus is not acceptable. If we run a second rapid test for all people who tested negative, we then miss only about 1% (1 in 100). Is this acceptable? Probably not.
But tests are cheap, and illnesses are not. With a third rapid test we would miss only 1 in 1,000 people who carry the virus. Of course, this sounds completely OCD, but think of the consequences of being wrong.
One hundred years ago, Australia avoided the first two waves of deadly influenza by quarantining all ships for 40 days. However, they “opened up” too early and were devastated by the third wave. Unlike 100 years ago, we have the ability to test. Why not use pre-flight rapid test three-packs? Tests are cheap. Epidemics are not.
Charlie Webb
Kailua-Kona
A common fear of the virus
The letter from Kathy Awai on Wednesday shows a common fear of “the virus” and a cry for a vaccine. Virtually all television networks are funded by advertising by companies that manufacture vaccines, and it is likely that this newspaper is ultimately owned by investors in such companies.
Because of that, there is little said of the importance and ability of the human body to develop immunity to pathogens. There is little said of the poor food that many Americans eat, little said of the high rates of prescription drug needs, and nothing said of the connection between the two.
Finally, there is nothing said of the inability of scientists to devise a safe vaccine for RNA viruses, and any mention of that inability is quickly scrubbed from social media and internet video sites.
The fear that is promulgated continually on the television is debilitating to human thought and emotions. Fear lowers the immune system.
Donna Worden
Kailua-Kona
Remember Duck and Cover?
Does anyone remember “Duck and Cover”? Does it remind you of anything going on today? One more thing to remember “Depression.” We are on that road right now with the same kind of leaders that said “Duck and Cover.”
Mike Brandt
Kailua-Kona
Letters policy
Letters to the editor should be 300 words or less and will be edited for style and grammar. Longer viewpoint guest columns may not exceed 800 words. Submit online at www.westhawaiitoday.com/?p=118321, via email to letters@westhawaiitoday.com or address them to:
Editor
West Hawaii Today
PO Box 789
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745