HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0843.063 2018-2020 P/Met'• COMM
COUNTY CLERKH
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COUNTY OF HAWAI'I I ' J PO
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RECEIVED
Time [NOW BY rfPg
Thu 3/19/2020 11:10 AM Date MAR 1 9 2020
Please stop tourism to the island for now
To: Council Testimony
Aloha
am an MD in Kona.
What we are facing is similar to the 1917 influenza pandemic that killed a good portion of the
world's population.
I would like to stress the importance of mandating extreme social distancing in order to
attempt to flatten the curve of the COVID pandemic. As you know,our resources here are very
limited and with the stress of the upcoming rise in cases our system will likely be overloaded.
It is essential to stop casual visits to the island now-we need to put the health and safety of our
residents above tourism in order to sustain the community for the long run.
Stopping cruise ships is a good first step.
We also need to enforce a mandatory 14 day self quarantine for people arriving on the island
as they are doing in New Zealand.
Because spread can occur from asymptomatic people temperature screening is not enough.
We are an island with a stressed medical system as it is—this can be disastrous. Or we can use
our isolation to our advantage if we act now and prevent new cases from entering!
Please enforce dine in restaurant closure-surely take outs can keep people fed!!
If the Mayor does not heed common sense and support proven epidemiologic strategies to
mitigate disease spread we are at high risk of loosing our providers-who themselves will
become ill or leave the island. It is already very challenging to recruit health care workers to
come here. Please think about the long term well being of our residents and don't put tourism
first!!!
Thank you
Susan K. Guy
Comm. No. ).0
Ref. To: Plums
Ref. Date MAR 2 0 2020