Fourteen

A few hours after the governor delivered his calming rhetoric yesterday, three more people were confirmed to have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Two are on O’ahu. One individual is a tour guide for the Kualoa Ranch on Windward O’ahu whose infection has been determined to be “community spread.” The other individual is a healthcare worker. The individual on Mau’i is a visitor.

An additional four new confirmed coronavirus cases were announced this afternoon. The total number of confirmed cases is now at fourteen. At this point in time, the new cases appear to be converging on an exponential trajectory, so no further details are needed. Notes has given witness to the incompetence that precedes disaster. Personal viewpoints and experiences during the debacle will most likely follow.

Governor of Hawai’i

At yet another “presser,” the governor has requested that tourists postpone their plans to visit Hawai’i for 30 days. Fat chance! In addition, he has meekly “mandated” the closure of entertainment and activity venues for 15 days. Too little, too late?

All locations of the gym (i.e., 24 Hour Fitness®) closed down for an undisclosed period last night as ordered by the main office on the mainland empire. Ala Moana Center and the International Marketplace have reduced operating hours, also as of last night. Many stores have closed down for an indefinite period of time, too. Restaurants are closing, and fast food joints are not allowing customers to dine in. Panic and hoarding has worked up to a fever pitch as observed recently at Target® and Walmart® stores.

The backdrop to this “theater of the absurd” is the fresh new surge of tourists traipsing about, all of them in a crazed shopping stupor. Many of them are obviously from areas stricken by the novel coronavirus. Likely, some of them have indiscreetly imported the contagion here. Oh, the irony!

On the personal front, there has been no panic or hoarding. No extraordinary sanitary measures are being implemented. The daily itinerary would have remained same if the gym had not temporarily shut down. With no daily exercise regimen, there will be a change in diet. Yeah, canned baked beans may make a triumphant return. Showers will now have to be taken at the mausoleum in the “old folks home.”

The itinerary this morning commenced with a circuitous bus ride to Kahala Mall. A donation was made at the Goodwill drop-off station. Then, coffee time at the fast food joint ensued. The dining area will remain open for one more day. The mall itself was fairly crowded, although some stores were closed and others were in renovation. A shower curtain was purchased at Ross® for $4 with the senior citizen discount. Then, another bus ride to Ala Moana Center. Plastic shower curtain hangers were procured for less than $2 at Target®. The rest of the day will retain some similarity to the usual routine. Sadly, with the gym closed, the daily routine has been untenable.