08-05-2020, 09:43 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-05-2020, 10:45 PM by ChunksterK.)
Economist Paul Brewbaker did a live on-line interview this morning in which he discusses the pandemic and Hawaii's economy. If you have the time, it's worth the half hour it runs:
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/08/0...ht-hawaii/
He blames both the state and the general population for not adhering to the well known pandemic control measures strictly enough or long enough. He called the tourist quarantine "an effective blunt instrument" to keep infection out, but added that a more nuanced approach involving a rapid testing, tracing, and strict quarantine program was needed until and unless a vaccine is developed. He was quite blunt in saying that the state had not shown any indications of coming up with such a program that would work.
Dr. Brewbaker also says (no surprise here) that the Hawaii economy will have very high unemployment for a long time even after the tourist flow resumes. He says that housing prices have held their own except for condos in high vacation rental areas. And he also put the lie to most people's fantasies about economic diversification. Other than perhaps being a bit more self sufficient in agriculture, he says, "Knock yourself out. Nothing's keeping you from building factories . . . oh, except that China has factories that you can't beat?" Basically, he says we have to take what we have and make it work better.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/08/0...ht-hawaii/
He blames both the state and the general population for not adhering to the well known pandemic control measures strictly enough or long enough. He called the tourist quarantine "an effective blunt instrument" to keep infection out, but added that a more nuanced approach involving a rapid testing, tracing, and strict quarantine program was needed until and unless a vaccine is developed. He was quite blunt in saying that the state had not shown any indications of coming up with such a program that would work.
Dr. Brewbaker also says (no surprise here) that the Hawaii economy will have very high unemployment for a long time even after the tourist flow resumes. He says that housing prices have held their own except for condos in high vacation rental areas. And he also put the lie to most people's fantasies about economic diversification. Other than perhaps being a bit more self sufficient in agriculture, he says, "Knock yourself out. Nothing's keeping you from building factories . . . oh, except that China has factories that you can't beat?" Basically, he says we have to take what we have and make it work better.