HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0843.064 2018-2020 COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
Time SS:130UY1 By de
Fri 3/20/2020 5:13 AM
COVID-19 Testimony Date MAR 2 0 2020
To: Council Testimony
Aloha Council,
I am a thirty-two year old full time working mom of three with one on the way due May 29th,
2020. I am writing you my personal testimony regarding Covid-19 because of this as well as the
fact that I am immunocompromised due to diabetes. The Big Island is my home. The land, our
people and community both young and old alike are my family. There is nothing more important
than family in a time of crisis.
Our medical infrastructure cannot handle the current worldwide pandemic being wreaked with
havoc over Covid-19. Hawaii Island residents on a regular basis have to travel to Oahu for more
urgent concerns and procedures for the lack of resources, specialists and availability and this is
without the threat of Covid-19. Can you imagine what it would look like if you add Covid-19
cases to this mix? I really hope we won't have to find out.
Due to my high-risk pregnancy and diabetes I am monitored weekly at the Hilo Medical Center
with the monitoring to increase to twice a week at my 32 week mark. I am proud to say that
HMC has taken several precautions to protect those who have no other choice but to go and be
there but it also is a source of great concern as those who feel ill usually find their way there due
to the lack of alternatives (short on PCP providers, long wait times at Urgent Care, lack of
insurance etc.). Furthermore I am expected to deliver my newborn there during the height of f this
pandemic in our nation (according to several sources projections).
We as a community are strong and our aloha is real but we need to take a stand to protect
ourselves. So I am begging you to please do what only you have the power to and protect our
community, our kupuna, our keiki and vulnerablemothers like me. Stop all non-essential travel
to our island and call for the shut down of public gathering places such as restaurants,parks and
such. We have the opportunity to halt or stop this spread now. Please do so before it is too late,
before my newborn arrives. Keep us safe.
Me ke aloha a me mahalo,
Lei Hacoba
Comm. No. 110194
Ref.To: P ICIA0
MAR 2 0 2020
Ref. nate