Kauai has just returned to the CDCs highest threat level for Covid infections. Its being recommended that masks be worn indoors on the island, among other measures. Kauai is the only Hawaiian Island to be so warned. The rest of the state is in moderate Covid risk assessment by the CDC. All of the islands went from low to moderate levels just last month, and now this.
The director of the DOH said today they believe the actual case count is 5+ times higher than what is being reported. And based on what we are hearing here on the ground, that may be an understatement.
Today’s news came as case counts on Kauai have soared higher than the rest of the state, to 20%. This is something your editors take very personally since we both live here.
For further anecdotal testimony, we have heard of far more people on Kauai who are sick with COVID in the past couple of weeks, than since the outbreak first began more than two years ago. That’s been true among both children and adults who we know. Frankly, it’s become shocking, and while they aren’t dying to our knowledge, they are getting very sick. As one friend told us last week, “you don’t want to get this.”
There are three key metrics resulted in the increased Kauai warnings.
Those include new infections, hospital admissions over the past week, and the percentage of hospital beds used by Covid patients. At the same time, Kauai doesn’t plan to implement any restrictions at this time.
As for us, we have seen that more and more people are wearing masks indoors.
We aren’t heading into tight indoor spaces without N95 masks ourselves, as much as we would like to throw them away for good. The CDC suggests masks be worn both indoors and on any public transportation (think shuttle buses, for example), without regard to vaccination status. Also suggested for those at high risk are both social distancing and noting and avoiding poorly ventilated areas.
While the case count over the week ended this Wednesday was 391 here, most of the people we know who have or just had Covid reported to us that they used only at-home tests to confirm the infection, and thus aren’t being counted.
Do you plan to wear a mask in Hawaii?
Disclosure: We receive a small commission on purchases from some of the links on Beat of Hawaii. These links cost you nothing and provide income necessary to offer our website to you. Mahalo! Privacy Policy and Disclosures.
David, S says
For those of us coming in the summer, let’s hope Covid cases go down.
Amy says
We just visited last month after the mask restrictions had been lifted. It was nice to not have to wear a mask and I felt pretty safe unmasked. (Vaxxed and boosted) If we went into a store/restaurant where the employees were all masked, we did the same. No biggie. Go with the flow, be respectful. It’s not that hard. I love Kauai and the kind people that live there and can’t wait to return.
SD says
People have been covering their faces and sheltering inside avoiding everything for two years. Of course once people start living their lives it’s going to sore because they have not been exposed to many germs for over 2 years. I unfortunately don’t trust the CDC or DOH have the peoples best interests in mind now, due to the recent investigation findings that the CDC withheld hospitalization and vaccine data, the agency’s use of citizens’ cell phone data to track compliance, and its collusion with activist teachers unions to undermine school re-openings. Go out, expose yourself to daily germs, wash your hands, stay home if you are sick, eat healthy, exercise, get vaccinated if you are at risk, and rest when you are under the weather. Aloha!
Jeanne F says
No to mask wearing
Tony S says
Another science denier.
Ed D. says
What science is that Tony S.? Be specific please!
PegM says
I typically get my medical advice from a professional, not some random guy in the comments section, but you be your sweet little self.
Ed D. says
Hey PegM, no one is giving you advice. We are simply saying do as you choose to do and don’t worry about the rest of us that do not agree with your path. We make our own choices and don’t need anyone on line giving us any directives, or insulting us because we decided to Not get the shot! That includes you!
Jeanne F says
-Science is always changing-follow the science historically means live and learn;adapt and move forward
Jeanne F says
Vaccinated and boosted-avoided and still avoid large gatherings–the time for optional ,personal risk assessment mask wearing is now
ane T says
It is the same on Maui. the 400+ case number is so not accurate.I personally know of 60 people who have it and I know some of them only used home tests. It is really really everywhere now and yes, not dying but really sick. Some vaccinated/bosted people have all the symptoms and sickness and dont test positive so cant get the treatment. I have some very sick friends. It just sucks. I wear my mask indoors everywhere and dont eat in indoor restaurants.
Barney G says
1,000,000+ dead in the USA and people still think it’s a cold. We’ll continue to wear our N95 on our upcoming visit just as we did on our January/February visit and as we do at home.
When you wear a mask the government surveillance cameras don’t know who you are 😉
Susie says
The question is. How did those 1 million people really die? Was it truly from covid, or something else…have you heard of remdesivir? I know many many more who died post-vaccination than from covid the actual disease, sadly. How many people do you know who died from covid before the vaccines? How many people to you know who died during the last year and a half since the vaccines were rolled out?
PegM says
My answer is five and none. Your point?
Ed D. says
Wow! Isn’t that funny that all of a sudden, just when it is high Tourist season, covid is rising!
Jo M says
Come back with actual hospital numbers. Testing positive doesn’t mean much as this mutated strain is like a cold. Masks should only be worn if you are sick and contagious otherwise they are useless. Sunshine, Salt water and the Aloha spirit is what it’s all about!
Tony S says
Another self appointed expert. Science is truth. Science doesn’t care what you believe.
Jeanne F says
science evolves-when science believed that the Earth was the center of the universe,Copernicus propose that the planets revolves around the Sun -science
BeachBob says
Jeanne F – your comments are so random and general. How does that evolve the conversation?
Katie S says
I’m here,and wearing a mask every time I enter anywhere. I’m surprised at the lack of mask wearing by service workers in both the South and North Shores, yet there are a variety of shops and restaurants closed due to no available staff due to Covid. I rarely see tourists with masks.
Ed D. says
Maybe they realize that masks are just a waste of time!
Tony S says
Someone else the school system failed.
Jeanne F says
Why should” service workers” as you describe them;wear a mask?-Who do you define as being a “ service worker”?
PegM says
“Service workers means individuals in positions that include food service, cleaning service, personal service, and protective service activities. Skill may be acquired through formal training, job-related training or direct experience”
Source: lawinsider.com
Kalani F says
Nope. Im in Maui for 2 weeks and no plans to wear masks. If a business requires masks, i will go somewhere else. We had strict mask rules in California and that didn’t work.
J. G. says
Like you, with no hesitation, we wouldn’t head into tight indoor spaces without N95 masks ourselves. We also would gladly follow the CDC’s suggestions to wear masks indoors and on any public transportation (e..g., shuttle buses, crowded boats and planes) and continue social distancing and avoiding crowded poorly ventilated areas. We are happy and fortunate that we’ve delayed our trip again this month and will not return until the pandemic ends and risks become minimal and acceptable.
Kalani F says
Than you may never get to visit Hawaii. I don’t think people want this pandemic or the next one or the one after that to end. Especially since they got used to no tourists in the islands.
Ed D. says
Kalani F. I think you nailed it!
Cindy says
Our trip is in September. We will probably cancel if the numbers are high on Oahu and Maui. If we come, we will absolutely wear high quality masks indoors. We still do that in our local stores. I know many are sick of Covid and want to pretend it is over. I’m sick of Covid too. However, I know that it is not over.
Ed D. says
It will never be over as long as they have gullible individuals that continue to buy into the narrative.
Bill M says
Amazing the people that say “let it run its course”, as if this were a once and done proposition. It doesn’t work that way. Getting serially reinfected with something that has killed so many, disabled a bunch more and in non-serious cases is still something “you don’t want” – with the odds of bad outcomes being the same or worse with successive infections – makes no sense at all.
BeachBob says
Sorry Bill M. – I am still trying to figure out what you said. Thanks for voicing your opinion!
Bill M says
Simply – Immunity by infection is a myth, and avoiding infection is the only 100% effective way of avoiding serious illness that is life-limiting or -altering at the present. Some viruses do give lifelong immunity from infection, but Covid doesn’t like any other coronavirus.
Ed D. says
What you are espousing is a myth! There most definitely is Herd Immunity. Where did you come up with that? I am sure we would all like to know.
Joerg H. says
I’m so sorry to hear this BOH! We were all in a big hurry to “get back to normal”, and thus rushed lifting restrictions as soon as the numbers went down. Add to that the “COVID deniers and the vaccine deniers” and you have a recipe for exactly what you are seeing in Kauai. The good news is that the vaccine and the boosters are keeping people from getting as sick, or dying. But, as your friends discovered, for some people it’s still pretty miserable, and for some others, there are long term effects. Hopefully, some reasonable restrictions can get things back under control on your beautiful island!
Rod W says
I have both shots and the 1st booster. Will get my 2nd booster before coming to Oahu in September.
I don’t care about masks – as others have written, they are jokes. Only required so politicians can feel like they are doing something.
I typically wear a mask, but only when required and only when holding up banks and gas stations.
Stevep says
Lol, good one, Rod!
Tony S says
Here is just one of many studies proving the efficacy of masks to curtail the spread of covid. I challenge you to cite one study from a respected source proving that masks are a joke.
med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2021/09/surgical-masks-covid-19.html
Ed D. says
Right, a report from Stanford University. They are definitely experts there. Not!
Dee D. says
To all the mask denying freedom fighters I say the next time you need surgery, by all means tell the surgeon and entire OR staff to free themselves and go maskless. They are a joke, aren’t they? Then everybody take them off.
Ed D. says
To all the Mask believers, I say the next time you go anywhere, wear your mask. After all, this is still a free country. Those of us that realize that masks are a waste of time and do more bad then good, will continue to avoid places that require them. You have your option, we have ours!
PegM says
What is it about people and masks? Such a simple thing to do to help yourself and your fellow humans. The cry baby mentality is baffling.
Ed D. says
What is it about people that want to criticize those of us that don’t want to wear masks? It is not a simple thing to do and can be extremely dangerous to the person wearing them. Breathing in the same germs for a long period of time will definitely be detrimental to your health. Yet there are cry babies on here that just want to criticize those of us that won’t wear them?
Nita C says
No
Rob says
I am very happy to hear that Kauai is ignoring CDC guidelines and not adding any additional restrictions. It is my personal opinion that the CDC has lost their credibility to tell the truth and anyone that listens and obeys the CDC is a few French Fries short of a Happy Meal.
Kauaidoug says
Guys, once again you break the COVID happenings down for us who live here and for visitors alike. A big mahalo for that. Yes, past time to start wearing a mask again here in Kauai, for a while and meanwhile keep up the good work!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Kauaidoug.
Thanks. We both heard it first from friends all over the island. Well before it made the news. What’s your experience been?
Aloha.
Greg R. says
I have no plan on wearing a mask when I visit next month. For all of those people wearing any mask besides a N95, please do your research. Wearing a cloth mask is like putting on lotion to protect yourself from a sun burn. You feel like you are doing something, but in reality you are still at risk. The longer we try to ignore this virus, the longer it will be a problem. It needs to run its coarse so that our bodies can adapt to living along side of it.
Carl E. says
Anyone could have predicted this, as I did a year ago. You lock down the islands and nobody gets it and when you open up guess what? It’s going to run through the population. The vaccines don’t work long term. Masks do nothing, why would you wear them? Even n95s don’t work. Only a respirator with a p100 filter will protect the wearer. But why would you? It’s a bad cold. Thankfully it will have run its course before I come back next Fall. Time to move on with life.
Tony S says
First, N95 masks do work. Science doesn’t care what you believe.
Secondly, the vast majority of covid cases on the islands have been traced to residents either returning from the mainland or who have had contact with residents returning to the mainland. Perhaps you need to familiarize yourself with the facts before you post again.
Rod W says
Tony S. Not to be disrespectful, but what is your science background and what science are you referring to.
COVID has been a real killer so, just saying something doesn’t make it true – either way. BTW I have 2 shots + 1 booster.
Per fiercehealthcare.com, “More than 1,700 healthcare workers have died of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, according to a new report (PDF) from one of the largest nurses’ unions in the country. ” Were they wearing masks, vaccinated??
Per icn.ch “Newly released data from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests 115,000 healthcare workers died from COVID-19 between January 2020 and May 2021.” Were they wearing masks, vaccinated??
Mary E says
Oh was that when our
“great white leaders” said it would be over by Easter 2020?
BeachBob says
People die from many different causes every day and that is sad, but is it much worse to stop living because of the fear of death. The Hawaiian Islands offer many of the most beautiful aspects of life. It would be a shame that people would cower in fear instead of creating positive happy memories with loved ones in paradise.
Kathryn says
Yes a happy memory, seeing a family member on a ventilator.
Ed D. says
Once again Tony S., please give us your proof as to where the residents got it from. Your saying so, doesn’t make it a fact either! Perhaps YOU need to present your facts instead of just making an assertion!
Ed D. says
No, Tony S, they don’t work!
Nita c says
Exactly !!!! look at the data only a respirator as you mentioned may work… If people Choose to wear them knock yourself out wear them
PS all the data is showing lock down and masks do nothing to stop the spread. And those who got the vaccine are the ones that are getting sick… Data out of Ireland, Taiwan, New Zealand, England, etc.
Mary E says
and the unvaccinated are just getting sick– they’re dying.
Susie says
Not true…I’m unvaccinated and wouldnt be able to type this if I were dead…still alive and kicking…and so is my mom and dad. What is true is I am hearing of tons of vaccinated coming down with covid…but very few unvaccinated getting covid. Why is that???
Ed D. says
MARY E., that is not accurate. We did not get the shot (it is not a vaccine by definition) and we got covid in January, our symptoms were mild, we took Ivermectin from day 1 and by the third morning were feeling as good as new! Sorry to shoot holes in your “you are going to die” narrative if you don’t get the shot!
Susie says
Yes, the data shows it…and so does real life. Most getting covid are the vaccinated.
John says
Most people are vaccinated, so of course you are going to hear about them. If you are vaccinated and get Covid it’s likely not dangerous, if you are unvaccinated and get Covid you still have a good chance of recovering if you aren’t in the higher risk group, but you’re not as safe as the vaccinated. Using your personal experience as if that defines the situation for everyone is quite narcissistic. Covid is like Russian Roulette, just because you had an empty chamber doesn’t mean everyone will. I get pretty tired of the “I was fine so who cares about anyone else” perspective.
Ed D. says
I don’t believe that Susie was saying anything like that. Also, no one cares what you are getting tired of.