Hawaii Democrats: We need your help NOW – TODAY.

[kander]

As I have mentioned before, Harry is trying to balance draconian measures (which nobody really wants) with protecting the citizens rights to go about their business. I am unsure why everyone wants the government to suspend peoples god given rights.

I understand that its a scary situation. but shutting down the county government when all hands need to be on deck is not the solution either. We all should know what needs to be done to protect those around us from this virus. We also know that in crisis times we need a full staff of brainpower to guide us through the storm.

The Mayor cannot stop flights coming into Hawaii nor can he stop other travel into the county. This is a federal matter. Closing the parks makes no difference to those who are waiting this out for the next few weeks.

We as a society take risks everyday. we drive in cars and at any moment can be in a fatal accident. More people die per year in car accidents than this virus has officially taken from us. Yet, we willingly for a matter of personal freedom choose to use them without a care nor call to action to abandon such reckless behavior. The same could be said for many risks we take in everyday in life.

What is concerning is the fear and panic being caused by this is allowing ourselves to be placed in a position, willingly that we as a society would not stand for for any other reason.

One could simply look at the patriot act Joe Biden helped write that was passed into law after a couple buildings and a few thousand people were killed. Very tragic. But statistically a high price of freedom lost for the huge government surveillance programs established and the occasional TSA agent who pulls you out of line to rub a rubber glove on your junk.

Listen clearly. People in power never let a crisis goto waste. You can guarantee there will be some new legislation that comes out of this for your safety at the cost of liberty. It will set a precedent.

If Harry has to change something as the situation changes I think he will but outright calling and demanding that their doors be welded shut is not the answer. Its a numbers game, the numbers on the island do not require draconian measures when we know the risks and can still take personal responsibility for our own health and actions. This is the freedom we still enjoy. lets keep it that way.

[knieft]

quote:

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Originally posted by kander

I understand that its a scary situation. but shutting down the county government when all hands need to be on deck is not the solution either.

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Slow down, kander. There are pitchforks about. There is no way to have discourse anymore about this without being targeted as a killer. Just saying...

Cheers,
Kirt

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

can still take personal responsibility for our own health and actions.

And there’s the problem. Some people won’t take responsibility for their actions. In most instances I’ve read when “draconian” measures were put into place, it was only after personal responsibility in the general public failed.

I had to pick up groceries today. Ahead of me in line some girls were chewing gum, popping it, putting it back into their mouths with their hands. One of them paid for the items with a credit card, smearing saliva all over the screen & buttons.

After they left the checkout clerk apologized, came around to the customer side of the checkout, carefully sprayed down the credit card terminal and everything else the girls had touched. Another clerk might not have been so diligent. That is how this virus spreads, through a careless, uniformed population. If we could restrict only their movements and actions it would be great. I don’t mind if government shuts down non-essential activities so I can have the freedom to avoid a deadly flu. I’ve heard freedom of movement and activities are even more constrained if you’re dead.

[Durian Fiend]

Tough call. One case on island and it's a quarantined tourist. I'm in favor of social distancing, emphasis on careful hygiene and just shutting down large gatherings first before shutting down the entire island.

[Guest]

I'm in favor of doing what will resolve this crisis in the shortest period of time, and with the least health and economical impact. Unfortunately, that means as severe and broad a quarantine as is possible. It's as simple as that.

[kander]

Its always a tough call. But the reality is that were going to loose some folks to this. Hopefully not many. That is the reality of the situation.

Were Americans, were stronger than this. We dont have to be scared about it and we can all make a difference by ourselves without being forced like children.

We have had 2 months to prepare, we know what we need to do to protect ourselves. We dont need to be put in timeout because some bad actors.

The situation can always change, but I dont see a reason for panic. Just a personal situation awareness.

[Punatic007]

My solar system was down and I was able to pick up a needed part at homedepot. I then swung by the bank to make a deposit close to Walmart. I sat and watched for a while who was in the parking lot at Walmart, quite a few people still out shopping. I'm sure there were lovely people getting things they really needed but it was definitely a Darwinian moment. Loud and boisterous, a coarse crowd went in and out of the super store.

Maybe Harry knows who he is dealing with on the BI asking them to quarantine.

[ElysianWort]

Tough call. One case on island and it's a quarantined tourist.

This simply isn't true. One confirmed case yes but that lack of testing is ridiculous. There are probably hundreds of cases or more out there because of the fact that people can pass it on without showing symptoms.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/article...-this-mean?

[Guest]

But the reality is that were going to loose some folks to this...

You might want to consider that to some, what you are saying is your freedoms are more important than their lives.

[Chunkster]

quote:

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Originally posted by kander


I understand that its a scary situation. but shutting down the county government when all hands need to be on deck is not the solution either. We all should know what needs to be done to protect those around us from this virus. We also know that in crisis times we need a full staff of brainpower to guide us through the storm.

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No one is saying we should shut down the entire county government, no matter how incompetent we may think certain elements of it are. Departments such as public safety, public health, and utility oriented services would need to be maintained.

As mentioned already in this thread and elsewhere, everyone does not know how to protect themselves and others from this virus. Some will need stern adult supervision. Like spring breakers in Miami, they never got the memo and will refuse to comply if given the option not to.

The "brainpower" you mention is a quality most astute observers find scarce in Hawaii County government. Harry Kim's current approach to the crisis is the latest and most blatant example. He should step aside, but I don't know who would replace him. Maybe there are some capable officers in the National Guard who could manage better.