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  • House & Senate COVID Committees, Symptoms, $ Assistance

    House & Senate COVID Committees, Symptoms, $ Assistance

    Aloha Neighbor,

    “Half the population is scared because they don’t know what’s going on…The other half is not scared enough because they don’t know what’s going on.”

         -Ray Vara, CEO, Hawaii Pacific Health, House Special Committee member

    The continuing coronavirus surge has led the House Select and the Senate Special Committees to continue pushing for answers from the slow-to-act Administration that you have been emailing me about.  We hope the Administration will to listen to your concerns. In the meantime, you may follow the committees’ progress.

    HOUSE COVID-19 COMMITTEE: Administration Must Do Better
    The committee assessed Hawaii’s current medical and economic status, its prognosis, and recommendations to reset the State’s course.  Some of the concerns needing action raised were:

    • All metrics point to code orange (moderate “safer at home” disruption) or red (major “stay at home” disruption) in terms of disease activity, hospital supply capacity, contact tracing capacity, testing capacity.
    • We need useful, reliable, consistent data, without violating HIPAA (patient privacy protection law), to enable leaders to make decisions on a shutdown.
    • We need further adjustment to current restrictions.
    • We need a strong communication program from the state and county that provides better information to the community.
    • We need an oversight body to help direct covid planning & execution.
    • We need collection of reliable, consistent data to allow leaders to act without violating HIPAA.
    • We were at 300, now 200’s. Breathing a sigh of relief is a false sense of security. Our story from then–Hawaii as “the safest place on earth”– until now, a surge—is not a pretty story. The behavior of individuals is driving business success or failure. If you party and fail to follow the social distancing rules, don’t expect to find a job.  You can view the full meeting online at Olelo.

    SENATE COVID-19 COMMITTEE: Asking for Pandemic Updates
    The committee will meet on Wednesday, August 19, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to follow-up on concerns about the PPE supply chain and distribution, coordination among the departments and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HiEMA), quarantine quarters for the homeless, state staffing and teleworking, and the DOE update on schools opening.  Presenting are:

    • Major General Ken Hara, Incident Commander, Pandemic Response Team
    • Edward Mersereau, Deputy Director, Department of Health- Behavioral Health Services Administration
    • Ryker Wada, Director, Department of Human Resources Development
    • Christina Kishimoto, Superintendent, Department of Education

    Streaming on ‘Olelo Channel 49 or online.

    COVID-19 TEST: Know the Symptoms & Know What to Do
    This resource might be of interest to you; and if ill, can help you decide the kind of medical care you might need.  Note the disclaimer that this simple assessment is for informational purposes only. It is NOT a medical diagnosis. No personal information is requested nor are answers collected or shared. This is for your own assessment only.  Click here.

    IRS: Federal Extension to Claim Kids for $500 Stimulus Payments
    The Internal Revenue Service will be reopening the registration period for those who didn’t receive Economic Impact Payments for their qualifying children, starting August 15 through September 30. The basic stimulus payment was $1,200 per qualifying taxpayer, plus $500 for each eligible child under age 17. You can find more information at the IRS website.

    RENTAL & MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE: Waikiki Community Center
    If you lost your job due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for one-time emergency financial assistance for rent or mortgage up to $1,500 per household. Applications will be accepted online or via email only.  Funds are limited. You may be eligible if you are:

    1. 18 years of age or older.
    2. Honolulu county resident.
    3. Income decreased due directly to COVID-19.
    4. Have not received the same benefit from another Aloha United Way partner.
    5. Total household must not have more than $6,000 in liquid assets (cash, checking & savings accounts).
    6. Household is not receiving housing subsidies.
    7. Total household income must be at or below 80% AMI (Area Median Income).

    Email your application request to:  jokimura@waikikicommunitycenter.org OR click on this link. Once your application has been reviewed, you will be contacted by phone or email within four business days. If your application is approved, the funds will be mailed directly to your landlord, bank or mortgage company.

    UPDATES OF INTEREST:

    • HART Traffic Updates: Week beginning August 16, 2020

    View street closures due to HART construction. Note August 16- 22 closure of Halekauwila, Queen, Kamakee, and Kona Streets.

    • Ala Wai Flood Mitigation Project Update: USACE Reports

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Honolulu District completed its Engineering Documentation Report (August 6) which provides the new recommended plan for the Ala Wai Flood Control Project. The report and a map showing the proposed project design changes and new feature recommendations based on community input are available on the Ala Wai project webpage.  Email questions about the project to: AlaWaiFloodProject@usace.army.mil

    Take care & stay safe!

  • DOH, Safe socializing, Census, Kakaako testing

    DOH, Safe socializing, Census, Kakaako testing

    Aloha Neighbor,

    PEACE: LET US NOT FORGET AUGUST 15 1945
    There are those who remember the happiest moment in American history – a spontaneous eruption of ecstasy, outpouring of sheer joy that swept the continent on V-J Day—Victory over Japan — and the end of World War II. The public celebration dwarfed anything ever seen before or since.  Coast to coast Americans took to the streets simply to celebrate peace.  Wow!  Even in Honolulu, jubilation in the streets drowned out the Board of Supervisors deliberating so they decided to defer Bill No. 10, relating to the construction, reconstruction and repair of sidewalks, and quit its work that day.

    WAGING THE WAR AGAINST COVID: What Now?
    We can wage war, but instead of weapons we must come together and care for each other – physically distance, practice good hygiene and sanitize, mask up and stay home if you’re sick. For the sake of our elders, our neighbors, our friends, don’t spread the disease.

    But too many of us have not.  We are now facing the consequences – from single digit cases in late June to the highest yet on Thursday (8/13) at 355! Those breaking quarantine, those not wearing masks in an elevator, those congregating and partying need to become more mindful.  Now we need to hire 160 more police officers, train 450 contact tracers, and push a Department of Health that was not ready.

    The Senate Covid Committee has pushed to ramp up contact tracing because we must contact those in close contact with coronavirus carriers so we isolate, contain, test and ultimately control the spread.  Our committee was appalled to find that not only were 450 trained contact tracers not on board but that health professionals and others sought to volunteer but were never called.  Only ten overworked investigators were contacting and tracing. Small wonder that the most vulnerable weren’t identified and helped.  But, now, we have a new investigation branch chief, more contact tracers hired, and national guard help on the way. Also, the State Auditor is assessing the contract tracing policies and standards here and in other jurisdictions to find how best to address the increasing infection rates. He is also assessing the Department of Education’s readiness to reopen the schools. It does take all of us to win this war!

    COVID TESTING: What’s Happening?

    • Rapid Antibody Testing Opens in Kakaako
      Wellness for Humanity is bringing science and technology together to provide more resources for our community.  The company’s rapid antibody testing facility is open to the public.  To learn more visits its website.  You can see more on the KHON2 report.
    • Get Covid Tested This Sunday: Kakaako Waterfront Park
      With the surge, more COVID-19 testing is available using PCR (nose swab) tests.  You can drive-thru and be tested at Kakaako Waterfront Park on Sunday, August 16 from 9am-1pm. Walk-ups will be accommodated. Follow the posted signs to the test area. You will be screened for symptoms and asked to provide personal information and contact numbers.  The attending doctor will determine if you should be tested.  If you are tested, you will need to follow the doctor’s directions on quarantine. If you have medical insurance, bring proof of insurance; if you don’t there is no charge.  For more information; contact Premier Medical Group Hawaii, at (808) 304-8816 or (808) 367-6020.

    PANDEMIC SOCIALIZING: Some Tips
    Labor Day. Halloween. Thanksgiving. Christmas. How in the world are we going to social distance with these major party-holidays fast approaching? We have to address the gray areas of socializing as covid transfers at the most unassuming moments. The 4th of July was our turning point in the fight against covid.  Having any type of rules at a party seems unconventional, but in today’s world, it’s a matter of life and death.  There‘s no demographic that’s truly safe from covid. To date, 4,312 people in Hawaii are infected. Six percent of them have been hospitalized. Forty have already died.  Not socializing at all is not an option for most, so here are 7 life-saving tips.

    REMINDER: US CENSUS WANTS YOU!
    You’ve heard a lot in the media and here. It’s important to our state and to help those who receive federal support.  If you haven’t yet completed the brief 2020 Census survey you can do it here.  If you don’t the Bureau census takers will be at your front door. And if you need more information, you can read it – click here.

    OTHER MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:

    • HOUSE COVID COMMITTEE RECONVENES ON MONDAY AUGUST 17
      Observe the committee in action via videoconference as they hear the status and prognosis of the state’s medical and economic condition.

    DATE: Monday, August 17, 2020, 10:00 a.m.
    PLACE: Olelo Cable Television Channel 49 on Oahu; also livestreamed via www.olelo.org.
    TOPIC:  Recommendations to re-set Hawaii’s course to adjust to recent covid activity based on the State’s current medical and economic status.
    AGENDA: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2020/hearingnotices/HEARING_COV_08-17-20_INFO_.PDF

    • SENATE COVID COMMITTEE MEETS ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19

    The committee will meet with Superintendent Christina Kishimoto, Deputy Director of Health-Behavioral Health Services Administration Edward Mersereau and HIEMA Incident Commander MG Kenneth Hara.

    PLACE: Olelo Cable Television Channel 49 and olelo.org

    • MAKIKI NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD RECESSES IN AUGUST

    The Makiki/Lower Punchbowl/Tantalus Neighborhood Board No.10 will recess its regular August meeting.  Tentatively, the next regular meeting is scheduled for THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2020.  To see all upcoming agendas, visit the Neighborhood Board Commission Office Website.

    Take care & stay safe!