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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0843.211 2018-2020 Thursday, March 19, 2020 COUNTY CLERK COUNTY OF HAWAI'I To: Hawai'i County Council Members RECEIVED i:200"Time By igif Re: Emergency County Council Meeting Date MAR 2 0 2020 March 20th, 2020 at 1:00 pm From: Malia Tallett, P.T., D.P.T. Ke Ola Kino Physical Therapy, LLC 2064 Kilauea Ave, Hilo, HI 96720 malia@keolakinopt.com (808) 339-7478 To Whom It May Concern: I, Malia Tallett, P.T., D.P.T. am a small business sole proprietor in Hawai'i County doing business as Ke Ola Kino Physical Therapy, LLC since 2017. I am also a single mother of 2 elementary school girls at E.B. De Silva Elementary School. I have been practicing as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in Hilo, HI since January 2010. I've been the Head Water Polo Coach for Hilo High School for the last 8 seasons. As a member of the Subarea Health Council for Hawai'i Island for the last 4 years, I have worked diligently to assure that the healthcare and primary safety for my Hawai'i Island community is a priority. It has been a pleasure to serve on this board to learn about the complexities, vulnerabilities, and opportunities that Hawai'i Island has to offer. Our Hawai'i Island communities are unique in such that we are populated with a larger number of high- risk community members (specifically the young, older, and immune compromised). We are also at a disadvantage in comparison to our fellow Hawaiian Islands as our topography makes emergency services and accessibility challenging and scarce. Our resources are such that we are able to maintain self-sustainability for food and other natural resources. However, our healthcare resources are heavily over strained under our normal circumstances. Introducing the complexities of the COVID-19 Corona Virus will only result in a catastrophic outcome with uncontrollable and uncontainable risks. It is in the best interest of our Hawai'i County to assure the safety of our community members by taking preventative action with everyone's cooperation from all aspects of our society: economical (small business particularly), educational (day care touniversity levels), recreational, and professional; and especially, our quality of life. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, treating all ages of our Hawai'i community, I am very concerned about the near and future outcomes given the lack of leadership of my local and state government elected officials. I understand the challenges of leadership, but value choices and decisions that prioritize the safety, wellness, and financial stability that is our Hawai'i Island as a contributor to the State of Hawai'i. I believe that the following precautions are more than realistic for our current state of pandemic emergency: • Immediate 14-day quarantine for the entire Hawai'i Island to halt any future spread and to clearly identify and accurately account for infected community members. • All State and County parks, beaches, and facility closures • All restaurants and eateries should be mandated for take-out only with the following guidelines: o Phone orders with payment over the phone o Pick up at the door o All restaurant staff interfacing with the public should be utilizing personal protective equipment (gloves/masks) VA) Comm. No. Ref. To: P(�rna, Ref. Date LIAR 2 0 202 o Establishments should beallowed to provide delivery services at their discretion • Bars, clubs, and other entertain lent establishments should be closed in observance of the 15-day quarantine. • Mandatory curfew 7:00 pm-5:00 am o With the exception to'essential workers and emergencies during the quarantine o Post quarantine lasting 10 days • Allow for residents to venture into their communities/local neighborhoods provided social distancing is practiced during non-curfew hours. For example: o Walking/running/exercise o Yard work(at your own home) o Assist family/ elderly o Essential medical appointments o Essential grocery store/food runs o To obtain mailing deliveries from local post office stations • All flights should be mandated to a 14-day quarantine • Any/All cruise ships should not be allowed to disembark for the same 14-day quarantine. • All travelers (local/international) should be mandated to quarantine in place (their home/hotel arrangements) o Every traveler under goes an assessment upon arrival, providing all necessary contact information ■ Address ' • Phone • Etc... o Require 14-day quarantine It is essential that post quarantine protocols are also in the development over this time period. Some potential considerations as follows: • Continue curfew for 10 days to continue to minimize social interaction • Encourage restaurants and eateries to continue Take-out Only at their discretion • Continue to minimize social gatherings and interactions for an additional 14 days (strongly recommending< 10 participants) • Continue 14-day quarantine for all incoming travelers along with arriving screening These considerations are to assure that as we return to life as usual, we are still being mindful of the imminent threat upon us. Thank you for your consideration and your time. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at your convenience. Sincerely, dAL*16:47-/E307— Malia Tallett, P.T., D.P.T.