Return to normal, let chips fall
Is it just me, or does it seem like we are running out of people willing to get vaccinated here on Kaua‘i?
We blasted ahead to now just over half of the eligible population, but it seems like we have stalled. Will we be able to reach “herd immunity” of the projected 70% or not?
I, for one, am anxious to get rid of these masks and get back to normal. If that means opening up and doing away with all restrictions before “herd immunity” is reached, then so be it.
I’m not a fan of red-state governors, but maybe they are ahead of the curve on this one.
If someone chooses not to get vaccinated and wants to risk getting COVID, that’s their problem.
Why punish the rest of us because these folks aren’t willing to get vaccinated?
Yes, a few have medical issues, and they can continue to wear masks, but that’s a small minority of those choosing not to get vaccinated. I don’t have any problem with those who don’t want the vaccine. Just don’t make us wait on them to open up and do away with all restrictions. Now is the time to get back to normal and let the chips fall where they may.
Jim Henry, Kalaheo
Travel site leaves much to be desired
Regarding the Hawai‘i travel site, I agree with Mr. DeRocie’s letter of June 1. The first question asked is, “Where will you land in Hawai‘i?” If this site is only for inter-island travel, you are already IN Hawai‘i. The whole site is setup backwards. The first section is for the return trip instead of the leaving trip. What is wrong with “Leaving from” and “Going to?”
Also, the site doesn’t tell you that you need to re-enter the information and upload the vaccination card for every time you are on an airplane. That is, if you go from Kaua‘i to O‘ahu and return, you need to enter the info twice, before you go and before you come back. Not everybody has (or wants) a smartphone. Some people use laptop computers, and some people do not have access to a computer at all.
Obviously, this site was set up by someone who is a computer programmer but does not use the site in real life. This happens with many state computer programs. The average person has a hard time navigating a site that should be simple and easy to use.
As with Mr. DeRocie, I recently went to O‘ahu for a medical procedure. The Honolulu airport was not interested in the vaccine card or the QR code. That is probably why there are so many COVID cases on O‘ahu. When I returned to Kaua‘i, the National Guard people were so helpful in completing the travel requirements. Had I known I needed to complete the process for the return trip, I would have done so in advance.
The state government has been caught short and is trying to catch up, and they are not doing a good job of it. We, as residents, deserve more.
Dorothy Collins, Lihu‘e
