Pandemonium

The effects of the worldwide SARS-CoV-2 (aka COVID-19) outbreak appears to have arrived upon the shores of Hawai’i. While there have been no verified cases of infection, the tourism sector has clearly been adversely affected. Strangely, there has been no coverage in the local news. Coverage by Notes follows.

When the first novel coronavirus case finally surfaces, the tourist industry will grind to a halt. The ramifications will be fairly obvious. An exponential increase in people who “became homeless” by rental housing eviction from unemployment will be the most significant social cost in addition to the casualties of the frail and elderly who succumb to the disease.

Portions of the Makai Market food court in Ala Moana Center were conspicuously empty. Only a few of the restaurants had a queue of customers. The time is 7:30pm.

The Lanai food court in Ala Moana Center was also fairly quiet. Very few people were dining. A week ago, both food courts were packed with people to the point of being extremely uncomfortable. There was an actual air of civility for once.

The Apple® Store in Ala Moana Center is also normally packed with people. Not so tonight. Many of the other stores were completely empty (except for employees).

The Route 8 bus heading back to Waikiki at 8:33pm was nearly empty. Normally, this bus is fairly full. Needless to say, the trip was relaxing.

Upon arrival back in Waikiki, the walk along the promenade by the International Marketplace on Kuhio Avenue was found to be pleasant. A week ago, the area was teeming with satanic gargoyles.

Inside the International Marketplace was no different. The main pedestrian arteries on the second floor were devoid of foot traffic. The stores were mostly empty, too.

The Kuhio Avenue entrance of the International Marketplace was barren. Note the empty escalators, which are usually congested with satanic gargoyles.

The area that suffices as the surrogate “living room” was also devoid of people. Later, as was the case last night, the homeless filled the void to relax and enjoy the “creature comforts.”

Notable Quote: “There’s a pandemic happening, people are dying, and all these affluent shitheads can think about is their stock portfolio.” — Ol’ Lavahead (upon learning of the interest rate cut by the central bank of empire to “goose” stock market)

Note: This post was deleted accidentally due to shitty iPhone XR. Comments were lost during recovery. Mea culpa!