Figuring out the new normal at a time when Hawaii travel is at record levels, all the dreaded known and unknown respiratory diseases are circulating, and masks and social distancing are all but out the window.
Figuring out the new normal at a time when Hawaii travel is at record levels, all the dreaded known and unknown respiratory diseases are circulating, and masks and social distancing are all but out the window.
We just flew from Portland Or to Maui on Hawaiian Airlines. I didn’t notice anyone coughing. There were a few people wearing masks for the entire flight, in the 30yr and up range.
The flight attendants wore mask during the food service.
I am mid-flight on way to Honolulu from San Jose Calif. None of the flight attendants are wearing masks on this flight, although I have seen flight attendants that continue to wear them on other flights. About 5-10% of the passengers are wearing masks (weird since was higher at the airport). The masks being worn appear heavy duty (a few people are double masked), not the crappy paper/cloth ones. Ages of mask wearers all over the map.
I am surprised more people are not concerned that we have more people sicker than ever, as long as people keep boosting themselves, this charade will keep going. According to Dr. Paul Alexander, the shots made it worse not better; we mass-vaccinated during a pandemic which made things worse, and as long as people keep getting boosted, it will keep this thing spreading. sadly that is what is really happening!
Right on!
Oh please. What do you gain from spreading this incorrect information?
You might want to inform yourself better by looking at actual data and statistics – you’d be surprised. I’d provide a link to the COVID-19 page of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, but we are not allowed to post links here. Basically, the mortality and hospitalization rates for vaxed+boosted people are way, waaaay lower than these who chose not to be vaccinated. Just like so many other communicable and infectious diseases, like influenza, polio, tetanus, whooping cough, smallpox, etc, etc, etc. Fact.
Actually looking at studies printed in medical journals, these are what they are seeing:
1) excess mortality for 2021 was waaaaay higher than for pre-covid. Most of the people hospitalized now are the vaccinated.
2) Cleveland study just published: of 50,000+ employees, the more shots you got the more likely you get covid.
You can look them up since we are not allowed to put links.
Sorry, but no.
Here’s has you can find real information (one of many example: Go to the Texas Department of State Health Services and search their stats on COVID deaths. Here’s what they have published (remember, this is Texas, which is a “Red “state): For the most recent time period (through Dec 2022), unvaccinated persons 13 time more likely to test positive for COVID, and 23 times more likely to die of COVID, that those who are vaccinated. Lots of nice colorful bar graphs and charts on their web page. CDC data show the same.
Re. Cleveland Clinic report: “Effectiveness of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Bivalent Vaccine” Nabin K. et al. Published inBrit Med Jrnl Dec 2022. Conclusion: bivalent vaccine protects.
Pre pandemic I seemed to always get a sinus infection once on mainland. I flew twice during tail end of pandemic and wore a mask both times and no infections. I will always wear a mask from now on when flying. I don’t care what it looks like but I want to enjoy my stay.
Airports and airlines should reinstate use of masks in airports and on aircrafts. Noticed crew on Alaska Air and Hawaiian Air were not wearing masks on flights in November. Use common sense and set an industry example.
Thank you for a very informative column. Thank you also for being considerate of a fellow travelers masking when you can. It would be nice to hear others in the medical profession on their thoughts on travel precautions & prevention People may not understand that immunocompromised that must travel for work or an elderly person could have a fatal outcome if they pick up any virus, we have to look out for our fellow man.
In order to afford to go to Hawaii, we must work at jobs that: expect us to be there, expect us to plan trips well in advance, expect us to cancel/shift trips if the need arises at job.
Add in non-refundable rooms, car rental, and flights, and that’s why people travel when ill.
We won’t be, for years, if ever again. What I read from locals about us haole saddened us.
HI no longer affordable. I don’t know what you may have heard from locals about “haoles.” I was fortunate to be able to spend winters on Oahu for a number of years. Not in a high-rent area, but rural. My impression was that locals were friendly,inviting, wonderful people. What most of us don’t like are entitled, demanding people. When you treat Hawaiians with respect and respect for their culture, you get respect in return. Even at the local 7-Eleven, when you are pleasant, smile and say thank you, you get smiles and thank you in return. Hawaiians are well aware that most of their incomes depend on tourism. But what most resent are nasty, disrespectful people who don’t understand that this is their Home, and we are guests in their home.
Thank you for the timely article! We flew in yesterday, being what appeared to be the only two passengers wearing masks! There was not much coughing etc, on this particular flight (Alaska) but as you write,it’s out there, and another variant of Covid is too. I guess people want the choice, however, we still will likely always mask up on a plane! Aloha
The valsalva maneuver should not be done before takeoff. It should only be done during decent while the airplane is re-pressurizing. Even with a bad cold your ears will equalize naturally during takeoff and climb.
It is sad that masking has been politicized rather than viewed as a medically warranted measure of self-protection or a courtesy to others. How ironic that too often it’s the individual donning a mask that’s made to feel like a pariah rather than the person who’s chosen to fly when ill.
So much truth to what you are saying
I wear a green N95 mask proudly when I travel, at all times at the airport and on board the aircraft (and in any other enclosed space with other people, like a super market, elevator, etc). Lately I’m definitely in the minority when it comes to wearing a mask. But I have yet to detect any animosity directed my way, or even a snicker or roll of the eyes. People just go about their day and it seems to be ‘live and let live.’
I have for years flown with a wet paper towel in a Ziploc bag on long flights. I use it to breath in the moisture and keep nasal passages moist. Maintaining clean hands and surrounding area is crucial! Years ago I would fly Pittsburgh to Vegas 2, sometimes 3 times a month and never got sick. I did a trip with 2 little kids a few years ago to Hawaii… 10 planes in one month (we spent a week on each of the main islands) and not one illness. I watch people doing the dumbest things on planes. Water bottle in the seat pocket, then itching their nose or eating after touching the outside of the bottle. We were hand sanitizer freaks way before they became cool!!!