Dengue state of emergency

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

I would wager it's an "optics issue"

Don't worry, our terrestrial government (and observatories) will soon be replaced by a fleet of space based Hawaiian telescopes and state government officials. They will have a vision unmatched by Mauna Kea, Haleakala, and Honolulu, boldly leading us into an age of laser sharp clarity on issues requiring quick resolution.

If only we can get that launch price tag below $5 million a pound. Or vote in lightweight, low cost Menehune legislators.

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -Annie Dillard

[ironyak]

Originally posted by TomK
... so why now and not earlier?

Optomist - the state is actually learning to be proactive and put resources in place for dealing with all mosquito born illnesses.

Realist - having senators and other representatives need to repeatedly call for some / any assistance may have some political consequences.

Cynic - Some one connected has a good scheme for spending some of the State Emergency Fund and potential Federal Zika funds.

(In retrospect, I may have got the labels mixed up

[Guest]

I have to agree with Vancouver's statement, better late than never. I have a couple of additional concerns regarding our many dengue infected mosquitoes or new implemented emergency.

Would Our many local nurseries who sell flowers, ornamentals, and other plants, Be able to continue to ship off island during dengue outbreaks or emergency like this one?
I ask because I have heard of infected mosquitoes surviving long plane rides or even long ship voyages during prior mosquito spreading disease outbreaks. I thought This kind of mosquito that can carry the dengue or Zika we have, could live or breed in that type of nursery foilage?

Opinion here.
Local people could or should be hired to walk, talk, and exterminate the mosquito on private property, jmo. Our local folks need jobs too. They know the ways of our porous or puka filled lands. They know how to talk the talk, to gain some trust from property owners,jmo. Having a bunch of mainland(off island) crews or teams walking and driving up on everyones private property may not feel right to some.

[PaulW]

"Zika we have"
News to me.

"Our local folks need jobs too"
No, they don't. They turned down $1.4B in investment and jobs, so they must have plenty already.

[Guest]

Paul's, top of the morning to ya.

What I meant was that we have the mosquito here on the island that can carry and spread the Zika, its the same mosquito spreading dengue here now.

30 local folks could be put to work fighting this type of mosquito on this island. That could spell more work for local folks than that 1.4 billion dollar TMT project was going to do for us.

http://www.npr.org/2016/02/02/465246337/...ika-dengue

[PaulW]

Tribune Herald says:

"In addition to seeing more than 13 billion light years away, the telescope — which has faced strong opposition from some Native Hawaiians who consider the mountain sacred — is expected to create 300 construction jobs and 140 long-term jobs, earning it support of business groups and organized labor."

Sounds a bit better for the economy than 30 people spraying for mosquitoes.

[kalakoa]

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/en...48066.html

Apparently the GMO mosquitos have been in Federal "review" for six years.

[Chunkster]

Six years? That's almost as bad as it would be if the state of Hawaii were doing it.

[Guest]

Interesting quick governors response to the possible threat of Zika virus here, nice change.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/13/us/hawaii-...emergency/

Still very safe to visit the big island says our chief, tourists shouldn't change their plans due to dengue on the big island.

http://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Trave...oclamation

Yes I agree with the chief here, they really could be underestimating the number of dengue cases due to people not going to the doctor. Most folks I personally know who have been very sick in the past six months did not go in to get tested.
What can the doctors do or help with when there is no treatment or cure for dengue? Who wants the state or DOH spraying who knows what on or around their property? Who can afford to miss work and quarantine themselves for a week or two?
I try to share with folks who have been recently sick in this area. That The down side to not getting dengue tested when your sick is, Many could be susceptible to a second infection of dengue that could become deadly during the next outbreak or two. I think It might be better to know if your kid got the dengue or not, then be able to make a decision on whether its better to live here(puna) or elsewhere. Unfortunately many from here can't afford to move anywhere else so again it doesn't matter to some to get tested,jmo.

[Guest]

Some Good news here, no more new cases of dengue.

http://www.hawaii247.com/2016/02/16/no-n...ay-feb-16/

This article Gives a great picture of both mosquito's that can carry both the Dengue and Zika.

Question here again, does anyone know how the big island dengue testing system works?.