Archive for category: Updates

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Gov. David Ige faces the dilemma of eventually reopening to both tourists and new infections (Star Advertiser, May 19, 2020)

Hawaii’s unique geography allowed for the state to achieve some of the best infection control results. But any reopening of the state could invite COVID infections back into the state. It will be impossible to avoid COVID in near future.

It is a question of what actions the state will take to mitigate the worst impacts. That policy debate is happening now, as Ige approaches June reopening dates.

Rep. McDermott and Rep. Ward are pushing for strong screening during a visitor’s airport processing, with visitors taking tests at their origin point 72 hours prior to arrival in Hawaii. Under their plan, in-airport testing would be possible combined with quarantines for positives or forced immediate expulsion of uncooperative visitors. Critics say testing isn’t 100% foolproof, but catching a significant number is better than no testing at all.

LIVE: City unveils plan to offer over 100,000 coronavirus tests as state reopens (Hawaii News Now, May 19, 2020)

Honolulu is using $4 million in federal funds to provide 50,000 antigen tests and 50,000 antibody tests in partnership with local health centers and the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Wastewater treatment plants will also be testing for infection. The tests will be offered at no or low cost.

Under governor’s plan, much of the ‘kamaaina economy’ will be reopened by early June (Hawaii News Now, May 19, 2020)

Moratorium against eviction for failure to pay rent has been extended through June 30. As reported yesterday, Ige plans to open up “medium risk” businesses like gyms, restaurants, salons, in-room dining, theatres, churches, museums, etc. in the month of June.

What the future of buffet restaurants could look like (KHON, May 19, 2020)

Buffet restaurants will have to take additional infection control measures like sneeze guards, individual tongs, gloves for everyone, etc. Not mentioned in this article is that more workers can be used to do portion-service in a buffet context.

Don’t Let Child Care Become An Afterthought (Civil Beat, May 19, 2020)

Depending on what may happen with economic reopenings, second or third wave lock downs, and school openings/closures, childcare availability will affect working families ability to go back to work and function.

Hawaii Foodbank holding food drive on Wednesday (Star Advertiser, May 19, 2020)

The Hawaii Foodbank is holding another major food distribution at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 20 at Aloha Stadium. It is the sixth of nine “Food for Hawai‘i’s ‘Ohana” events planned in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Participants should enter at Gate 3 on Kahuapaani Street and must arrive in a vehicle, with space clear for the food. TheFoodbank requires a valid government-issued ID and a completed Household Information Form for each household represented (an adult from each household represented must be present; three households maximum per vehicle). The form and other information can be found at http://www.hawaiifoodbank.org/covid-oahu . Those who cannot access or print a form should bring a pen.

These events are in addition to 200 drives that the Foodbank regularly participates in via partner agencies.

Republicans Are Planning to Spend $20 Million So You Won’t Vote (Vice, May 19, 2020)

The Republican Party is building a program to recruit tens of thousands of volunteers in over a dozen states to conduct anti-”voter fraud” efforts, which means monitoring polls and challenging votes and voter registrations, according to the New York Times. The Republican party is spending $20 million on its efforts, which intends to recruit up to 50,000 volunteers in 15 states to “monitor polling places and challenge ballots and voters deemed suspicious,” the Times reports. The money is also intended to fight Democratic-backed lawsuits against alleged voter suppression efforts on the part of Republicans.

The Wisconsin conservative protests to “reopen” the economy had large number of people with assault rifles show up. The issue at hand was about the economy, jobs, health, and a microscopic germ. Bringing guns to that protest at a state capital building was nothing but domestic terrorism (lawmakers had to wear bullet proof vests). It was use of fear and intimidation for political purposes (and maybe appeal to party identity). Any Republican justification for their voter suppression is a lie and nothing more than a cover story to once again use fear and intimidation to suppress people.

COVID Cases Today

World: Cases: 4.9M (+100k).  Deaths: 322k (+4k).
USA: Cases: 1.52M (+20k).  Deaths: 91.8k (+1.5).  Total Tested: 12.2M (+400k).
Hawaii: Cases:  641 (+0).  Deaths: 17 (+0).  Hospitalized: 82 (+0). Recovered: 578 (+3).

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Not Simply a ‘Natural Disaster’ (Part 1 of a 3-part series on the economics of the coronavirus) – Labor Notes. 

How the Coronavirus Crisis Became an Economic Crisis (Part 2 of a 3-part series on the economics of the coronavirus) – Labor Notes. 

The two articles above explain how and why the coronavirus could be worse under our current economic system than it would with alternative systems. Part 3 isn’t out, yet.

Trump Salutes Long Island Protest Where “Hang Fauci” Sign Was Displayed – The Intercept. 

Trump tweeted in support of a protest where there were people openly calling for the murders of Dr. Anthony Fauci and Bill Gates, many of whom were militia members or anti-vaxxers spouting conspiracy theories. Some protestors menaced a reporter who was there covering their story (who himself had actually gotten sick with COVID-19 and recovered).

Federal Government Buys Riot Gear, Increases Security Funding, Citing Coronavirus Pandemic – The Intercept. 

The U.S. government is stocking up on weapons intended solely for use against its own citizens.

Being an “Essential Worker” Won’t Save You From Deportation – In These Times. 

Excerpt: “Although he’s been deemed “essential,” José is not entitled to protective gear, compensation, federal financial aid or safeguards from immigration agents. For several weeks, José actually worked without protective equipment.”

COVID Cases Today

World: Cases: 4.7M (+100k).  Deaths: 315k (+4k).
USA: Cases: 1.48M (+20k).  Deaths: 89.5k (+800).  Total Tested: 11.5M (+500k).
Hawaii: Cases:  640 (+1).  Deaths: 17 (+0).  Hospitalized: 82 (+0). Recovered: 573 (+1).

Click here for important resource about healthcare options

 

COVID Cases Today

World: Cases: 4.5M (+100k).  Deaths: 307k(+5k).

USA: Cases: 1.44M (+30k).  Deaths: 87.5k (+1.7k).  Total Tested: 10.7M (+400k).
Hawaii: Cases:  638 (+1).  Deaths: 17 (+0).  Hospitalized: 81 (+0). Recovered: 5645(+1).

 

Governor says he’ll extend ’safer-at-home’ order through June (Hawaii News Now, May 15. 2020)

Ige and Caldwell both will extend the stay at home order through June 30th.  But some lifting of restrictions will take place too.  “medium risk” activities like dine-in restaurant service and barbershops may open before June 30th.  Some malls will open on Friday as well as outdoor sports fields and courts to reopen for one-on-on activities, like tennis or yoga, as long as 6 feet of physical distance is maintained, also, drive-in religious, spiritual or entertainment activities are now permitted as long as attendees stay in their cars.

Hawaii to tap ‘Pandemic EBT’ program for an extra $25M in food aid (Star Advertiser, May 15 ,2020)

State officials plan to start a new program next month that will allow all families with children who receive free lunches at public schools to also get help from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as food stamps. Another roughly 20,000 households whose children receive subsidized school meals but do not now receive SNAP benefits also will be eligible for up to $10.7 million in benefits, Bhanot said. The SNAP application is here .

Honolulu officials look at allowing restaurants to reopen June 5 (Star Advertiser, May 14 2020)

Honolulu is looking for state approval to begin opening up restaurants for dine in service by June 5th.  The city is looking to open up beaches as well.

Oahu Malls and Retailers to reopen Friday (KHON, May 15 2020)

Major malls and retailers who decide to open can do so starting Friday May 15th.

Nearly 40% of low-income workers lost their jobs in March (KITV, May 15, 2020)

Nationwide, 40% of households with less than $40,000 of income reported a job loss in March.  In contrast 19% of households making $40k-$100k, and 13% making 100k or more saw job loss.

Antibody Testing For COVID-19 Now Available On Oahu (Civil Beat, May 15, 2020)

Dr. Miscovitch’s Premier Medical Group Hawaii is offering blood tests for anti-bodies to determine if you had COVID in the past.  The test is $40 unless a patient’s insurance covers it.  The bloods tests will be offered alongside the infection nose swab tests.  Testing at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex will be offered on Saturday, May 16. Testing at Kakaako Waterfront Park will be offered on Sunday, May 17. Testing at both locations will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The HEROES Act: Policy Overview and Political Prospects for the Latest COVID-19 Relief Bill (National Law Review, May 14, 2020)

There are a lot of components to the HEROES Act that was passed by the US House today, the US Senate will not pass it in its current form. However, one thing to note of the House version is that it will allow ALL non-profit types, of all sizes, to be eligible for PPP loans.