Hawaii official suggests visitors to Hawaii be tested 3 days before arriving. Many questions remain.
97 thoughts on “Testing Visitors to Hawaii: Will It Work, When Will it Happen?”
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I’m sorry I must say that the tests are not saved for the most vulnerable in our society but for the most valuable in our society such as the White House and their group.
Not just the White House. I would imagine that anyone with enough money and power can buy a test. Regular people cannot – especially the unemployed- cannot.
Personally I don’t have a problem being tested prior to travel. I am concerned of the cost of such testing and that it could outweigh the ability for many people to travel. And would we have to be tested every time we fly? So many questions out there and so few answers.
On another note, most of us frequent fliers have periodically been uncomfortable being on a plane where people around us have been coughing and sneezing and sometimes vomiting. I love the idea of everyone having their temperature taken before entering an airport or at least prior to boarding. It should have been instituted years ago. It’s no fun catching a cold or the flu and this could really lower that possibility.
I work for a local government agency and follow the protocol for distance, face mask, washing hands, etc as per our mayor’s recommendation.
This is just an extension of what we did as a family prior to this; my wife always had hand wipes and we used it wherever we went.
Plus, when I was growing up, my parents always told us to wash hands before we eat, after playing outside, after using the rest room.
It surprises me that basic hygiene has been lost to some of the masses.
here’s hoping for a visit in MARCH to Kauai. gonna try. missing my islands but…want all to stay safe and healthy and keep the numbers flat in the islands that I love. keep up the good work, your website is terrific
Hi Mary.
Thanks for the nice words, and thank you for your many comments.
Aloha, R/J
There are so many issues with how Hawaii is dealing with this, and the rest of the country for that matter.
First and foremost, the constitution provides an American citizen with the same rights of any state citizen when traveling to that state. That means that travelers, by law, can not be treated any differently than a citizen of the state they are traveling in.
Secondly, a required test is likely a violation of HIPPA rights. An airline agency has no legal right to access my private health information.
And if we are honest, the vast majority of people DON’T have this. Currently, if you follow the numbers, less than 10% of those tested end up having it. If you consider the fact that the only ones tested are those with symptoms that would lead one to believe they have it, the reality is hardly anyone actually does. Yes you can say not everyone that has it gets tested, and all that, but the number remains pretty small, and lately has been declining across the country and several parts of the world.
Cant we trust that this will remain on everyones radar for a long time and that now that we know better, collectively we will do better. Dont you think that if someone has symptoms, they will be proactive about keeping their distance, getting medical treatment, etc. without being forced into arbitrary mandates that are not implemented fairly and mostly a violation of our rights? Like letting big box stores be open while telling local businesses they have to close. Are we any safer in a crowded walmart than we are in the corner store? Or safer golfing because the city gets revenue from it, than we are sitting on the beach which is currently illeagal?
We need to really start questioning these choices and looking at them through the lens of our constitutional rights.
Couldn’t agree with you more, Amy. Unfortunately the fear mongering every day on the newscasts and other sources has people in a state of hysteria where they are more than happy to give up their rights that earlier Americans fought and died for.
Perhaps some souls capable of critical thinking might realize that this is the same old game, taken from a playbook that goes back centuries. Scare, then manipulate and control.
I am embarrassed for Hawaii. We try to keep out our fellow citizens but have no problem taking their federal dollars.
“Constitutional rights” … truer words were seldom spoken. W/out our Constitution, we are no longer a freedom loving Country …
He never heard of “The Vi rus” or “testing”, but none other than Benjamin Franklin said: “Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.
Thanks for your words, Amy J
TSA? Any different than post 9-11?
Iceland is planning to implement testing on all arrivals (possibly only Schengen area but maybe all – the article wasn’t clear) from mid June. Results available in 3 hours. You can either wait at the airport or travel to your hotel to isolate and wait for results. You will also be required to download their contact tracing app. The alternative is 2 weeks in quar antine.
As a way of starting travel again, I would be most delighted.
Rational and a way forward with safety, read the same article. Thank you
Unfortunately, right now, there are really only two options: 1) wait for a proven vaccine and a therapeutic (and watch the Hawaii economy implode), or 2) permit visitors with some testing and enforce restrictions (but not a 14-day quar antine). Without a vaccine, you simply cannot reopen travel and expect no consequences (new cases). You can’t have zero new cases and a reopening of the economy without a vaccine. They’re mutually exclusive. It’s the classic line of “pick your poison”. Sorry.
P.S. My wife & I should be on Day 3 of our 3-week vacation in Kauai.
So first treat tourists brutally then try to force tests on them as a condition to return and spend their hard earned money in Hawaii?
In the Aloha state there isn’t much aloha for tourists these days. But when locals run out of cash and start riots because tourists don’t come back? Hawaii looses!
Money matters alot more than Aloha. And whats the saying burn me once, shame on you….. I think the situation has been handled extremely poorly. Hawaii will have to learn respect with its lifeblood or the tourists that did not come to hawaii with any ill intent and are innocent
Hawaii now has the lowest per capita infection rate and the lowest per capita death rate of any state. Please understand that public health measures work in an environment of no treatment, no vac cine. This is not about “freedom” or the heavy hand of government. Hawaii is a small, vulnerable state that must protect its people, and eventually this to shall pass. Patience and freedom are equal virtues.
I think testing is fine . I just got tested today and it does take 7 days. so they would need to help us fond a place that does the fast one. I also think temperature and masks on planes.
Thanks
I was tested Saturday and it took 10 minutes for the results to come back negative
But even if you get tested, which violates my HIPPA rights, you can test negative and still be a carrier. My family and I are coming in to Hawaii in late July, I sure hope we can come. I am sorry, I don’t believe I should be tested to come to your state and spend money. If you want to keep your doors closed, fine. I prefer swimming in fresh water than salt water. I don’t believe that Hawaii should have the right to test me and then decide if I can come. Too bad, I was really, really looking forward to coming.
It will be like checking off all the boxes for pet arrivals – rabies test, vet visit, clean bill of health. The “war” on this disease is lost if we let fear take over and not let nature run its course.
I am a senior citizen – one that is most at risk, and so it should be up to me if I want to shelter at home and become a Rapunzel. My chances of getting the disease would go up if we return everyone’s life to normal, and my chances of dying are higher than young people, but even so, it is a small chance – anywhere from .02% to 1%.
Meanwhile, our tourism based economy is taking a beating that it will take months, if not years, to recover. The irony of this is that the ones who come out the most unscathed are us retired folks.
I am really sorry that everyone has to cater to my senior status. This old lady says, let’s just accept the risks of life and try to make the best of it rather than become ostriches and avoid them. I miss the tourists, and they miss Hawaii.
I agree 100%
Well said, Auntie … thanks for your words.
Awww. You are the first local to say you miss us!! I grew up on the islands and after a very long time, have returned multiple times in the last two years! My heart has come alive again, until all the negativity over people coming. I changed plans from a week on Kauai to a week on Oahu and a week on the Big Island for October but have been apprehensive in bringing my family so they can be given stink eye and no Aloha. You, Aunty have warmed my heart with true Aloha once again. Thank you! ❤️