Slapstick

Notes continues to provide coverage of the novel coronavirus crisis in Hawai’i because the level of stupidity, lack of coordination, absence of clear objectives, nonsensical mandates, and disinformation are mind-boggling. The sad result is that the coronavirus will continue to spread, and only the rank-and-file peons will suffer and “pay the price.”

Mayor of Honolulu

The latest news in the debacle is that the mayor of Honolulu hastily decreed a “stay at home” (or “shelter in place”) mandate yesterday, which pretty much “goes over the head” of the governor. He called it, “The Hammer.” The mandate will remain in effect until at the least April 30th. The first question is: what about Waikiki and the tourists who are here now? How is “The Hammer” going work with visitors?

The “Hammer”

Increasingly, the incompetence displayed by the empire and its regional sub-governments is becoming highly suspect. Even with fairly transparent information about the novel coronavirus from China and the continued urging by the World Heath Organization (WHO) to dramatically increase “test and trace,” there was significant procrastination. Instead, mitigation by “social distancing” became the top priority. So, COVID-19 continued to spread unabated. When testing finally increased, the number of people testing positive increased. By then, the spread was out of control.

At this point in time, there is less credibility in the sole charge of incompetence. Rather, the aforementioned actions suggest a more deliberate motive. In the weeks to come, there will be firsthand experiences with the “stay at home” regime. Predictably, the latter will be upgraded to a full lockdown. Observing the events in Washington, New York, and Cali will pretty much suffice as a “crystal ball” predictor. If those states subsequently declare martial law, then the same will happen here. Obviously, there is a playbook being followed. What are the true underlying goals, the hidden agenda, of that playbook?

The on-going slapstick comedy would be funny if it were not so tragic. For rank-and-file peons, the loss of freedom has been gradual but pervasive. Their reaction has been equally predictable. Lots of panic. Hoarding. Crippling fear, but of the type that begs for more Draconian measures to insure “safety.” False bravado. Is the denial of death lurking below the surface?

The “stay at home” mandate for Honolulu commenced at 4:30pm. Several hours prior, “security” guards at various locations, including the International Marketplace, were already enforcing the mandate. Sitting anywhere in proximity of a “security” guard results in a “free” escorting off of the premises. Otherwise, few tourists (and locals) seemed to be taking the mandate seriously, even though the number of people testing positive for the novel coronavirus is now seventy-seven. Not to worry. More slapstick is yet to come!