This is so difficult for most of our population, and some people are selfishly making it worse for others.
I’m here on Maui, where we will begin lock down tomorrow morning. We’ve already been encouraged the last week to not go out except For essentials,, but tomorrow it will be the law. I’ve noticed that our small local grocery stores have very few people, the non-tourist areas have very little traffic, and people are keeping their distance while shopping. Our schools are closed, our libraries are closed, even our county parks are closed.... the only thing open to residents is our county beaches. All of the local areas are very very quiet, everyone I know is at home, which tells me that our local residents are taking this seriously. (Yeah!)
BUT, our local government has NOT shut down restaurants, tourist targeted activity Businesses and nonessential retail, it’s been on a voluntary basis so some of our establishments have remained open. Why you may ask? the Almighty Tourist dollar.
Yesterday many local people commented that they had seen one of our shopping areas along the beach fully packed with people, two different restaurants had lines out the door, the whale watch boats were full, and many tourists packed on to the beach. (these are reports from local residents who have no choice but to go to work in essential jobs and observed all of this). There were demonstrations yesterday and today at the airport of local people wanting visitors to stop coming. Our governor put out a plea 2 days ago for vacationers to not come for 30 days.
Yet they continue to come. Yesterday we had 16 cases, today 26. All but two of the cases to my knowledge are tourists and not residents of our state. Being on an island, we have less resources than most places on the mainland... no trucks to deliver goods, limited medical supplies and hospital beds, and we STILL have people bringing their infections & viruses from all over the globe.
There was one article in the local news where a couple was interviewed, where they stated they were so happy they got $197 last minute tickets ... And they went on to say that they originally had tickets for Tahiti but because Tahiti is doing a 14 day quarantine and Hawaii does not have any restrictions, they came here instead. Honolulu airport has very limited screening for incoming flights, but the outer islands including Maui do not have any. The tourists are being allowed to frolic and play on the beaches, go to restaurants etc while all the local residents stay home, essentially under ”lockdown”.
My neighbor, (who probably won’t be having many hours soon because he works for a car rental company), told me when he was at work two days ago there were tourists that were bragging that they got such cheap tickets that they decided if they have to be stuck somewhere and/or quarantined, they’d rather do it here than where they’re from.
The local people are begging our government to establish a quarantine. I sent emails to our Mayor, our head of the department of transportation, & to the White House.
Are we angry? Yes
We rely on visitors and therefore we usually welcome them with open arms, but not at this time. It is not the time for vacations . Not only will our local businesses suffer from this epidemic, but it will decimate our tourist industry, yet stopping the flow of visitors to our islands is essential, Even if it cost us jobs... better to lose jobs than lives. We need to, like everywhere else, contain the spread, get our people and our economy healthy, and then we will welcome you all back here with open arms & Aloha.
please, if you know anyone that is planning to come visit please tell them DO NOT COME. We love you but we don’t want you here right now.
BTW, woke up this morning with a headache, stuffy nose and generally feeling not very well. Hoping it’s just allergies. My son is not feeling well, and he is an essential worker, LE. In the past week he’s had to fly inter Island twice for business, and has been to the emergency room for police business twice. Because of his high exposure, I can’t have contact with him or my grandkids. My daughter has lupus, I haven’t seen her for over a week. We left some food for her on her porch the other day, and thankfully she has a supportive husband. I live alone and I’m having to stay away from all of my family, which is pretty hard. But I’m preaching to the choir because many of you are in the same boat.
thanks for letting me rant, everyone stay healthy and sane, and as always....
JMO
