Here’s how to tighten up checkpoints
To KPD,
For a more effective road check, post 1 or 2 squad cars on the return (opposite) side of the road, 1/2 – 1 mile back to catch those who are evading the road check and turning around to go back to where they came from. This would be much more effective in catching those breaking the quarantine. I expect there are many, out for a joy ride, potentially infecting the rest of us…
Mahalo,
Bill Hackett, Kalaheo
We need to prepare additional safety measures to reopen our economy
I want to thank Mayor Kawakami and our state leaders for urging everyone to wear masks this past week. Any reduction in the spread of the virus will have a huge effect. I urge our leaders to try to persuade other states to do the same. Their battle against Covid-19 directly affects us and our tourism industry.
Shutting down all non-essential businesses has been helpful to flatten the curve to keep hospital care available and buy us time. However, the virus may be threat for a year or two. It would be devastating to close our businesses for a year or two.
We need to use this time to figure out how we can reopen things. A huge factor is masks. Any mask will help, but the better the mask, the better the outcome. Maybe we should step it up and get everyone equipped with N95 masks. These will take time to produce, but it could be done.
I think we should also seriously consider copper. I’ve heard that copper kills 99.9% of these microbes in two to four hours. It is safe and inexpensive. I covered my steering wheel and door handles with adhesive copper foil. Anything that people touch in public places (door handles, shopping cart handles, check-out counters, etc.) could be covered with copper foil. In the long-term, these surfaces could be permanently replaced by copper (or brass or bronze, which also contain copper).
I would also suggest the consideration of anti-microbial gloves. These gloves could be mass produced to be used by everyone in public places. They could have an outer layer with a high percentage of fine copper fibers blended with cotton and an inner layer of cotton for comfort. Imagine if everything you touch is touched by copper which begins killing the virus. Imagine if your gloves automatically disinfect themselves every couple of hours. Anti-microbial fibers could also be added to face masks, to improve their performance.
Clear shields are being used in public places, which will also help. There are surely many other good ideas. Maybe something could be done with UV light, which kills viruses, but is not as safe for us as copper.
As I reported in my opinion printed March 31st, the Japanese slowed the growth of the virus by over 100-fold over two months by using cheap masks. Their 8.5% daily spread rate was close to the virus break-even point of 7%, that it needs to replace itself. With better masks and/or additional safety measures, it is likely that we could open more businesses and yet stay below the 7% break-even point. If it starts to spread faster than 7%, we could shut things down again and/or add additional safety measures.
Currently, the average daily active Covid-19 spread in the U.S. over the past two days (4/6 & 4/7) has been 10%. This is better than before, but still higher than the 7% break-even point. For Hawaii, this number is 6.3%. Considering that most cases in Hawaii are imported, our daily community spread is only around 2%, which means we are winning the war against the virus in Hawaii.
Thanks again Mayor, for your strong leadership. I encourage our County and our State leaders to aggressively develop a combination of strong tools that will allow us to safely reopen our businesses at some point.
Mark Beeksma, Koloa
Lessons for the next generation
In this time of great change and turmoil, I understand how we are all holed up in our homes going stir-crazy. We’re distant from our loved ones. We’ve lost a job, (or two or three), money, income, home. We’re told to keep away from kissing, monster hugs, intimacy. We’ve had to change our normal routines, our fellowship and worship. Parents are homeschooling for the first time. People are depressed, anxious and worried sick. I could go on and on. We’re desperate for simple things in life like a picnic, massage, manicure, pedicure, hair appt., gym workout, shopping for shoes, a beach day, a staycation. And yes, even medicine and surgical supplies, which has become a luxury!
Yet with all this going on in our communities, why can’t we try to have more unconditional love for one another and stop all the negativity, angriness, self-centeredness, greediness, impatience and lack of compassion. Plain and simple: LOVE!!! Unfortunately, it is happening all around us. Wake up everyone and be NICE! Who knows, it might be the last time you see or talk to that person!
Practice paying-it-forward, sharing, loving, forgiveness. RESPECT ONE ANOTHER! Stop looking into “what’s in it for me,” like hording, rudeness and pushy behavior at your local grocery store, pharmacy or wherever.
Good God, what’s happened to our 21st Century society already!? God is changing history as we live it. Nothing will be the same again. Get on board and change our world for a better society, a better place! Let’s teach the next generation about love, compassion, empathy, patience, respect.
Carol Simon, Lihue
