Coronavirus in Kailua-kona, Hawaii, US

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Jun 18, 2020 Update

We Asked: What is currently happening with regard to the Coronavirus outbreak in your area? Please provide as much detail as possible. The member replied...

But only a few hotels are taking inter island visitors right now unless they stay with family. The 14 day quarantine for inter island travelers has been canceled for now. Subject to virus cases.

How People are Coping

We Asked: How are people handling the situation in your area? The member replied...

From march to may people are following state mandatory rules. Since june 1 residents are wanting more stores to open. Rental units want to be opened i.e. homes act. But only a few hotels are taking inter island visitors right now unless they stay with family. The 14 day quarantine for inter island travelers has been canceled for now. Subject to virus cases.

Changing Conditions as coronavirus Spreads

We Asked: How has the situation changed as the Coronavirus has spread? The member replied...

Since may residents have wanted more businesses to reopen. The governor was waiting to see if residents could follow rules and if virus levels stayed low. They have so he has canceled inter island quarantine for now.

Government Response

We Asked: Describe how the government of the country about which you are reporting is handling this situation. The member replied...

The U.S. government has said each state government will handle and make the decisions and laws regarding the covid19 quarantine and when they think it is appropriate to reopen businesses and schools and churches.

Government Response with Regard to Expats

We Asked: Describe how your home country's government has handled the outbreak situation with regards to its expatriate citizens. The member replied...

The state of hawaii has handled it well. Lockdown was imposed the middle of march. Very few cases of covid19. The U.S. government waited too long to impose quarantines for each state and ended up having governors from each state impose their own quarantines. States do not agree with the U.S. government in how they handled the first weeks of covid19 lockdown and feel it took too long to organize commities and CDC to interact with the U.S. government.

Supplies and Shortages

We Asked: Is there a shortage of supplies in your location? The member replied...

At the beginning ventilators were a problem for hawaii and PPE equipment but by may it was felt we had improved.

Preparing for the Future

We Asked: What are you doing in terms of preparations in case the situation deteriorates in your location? The member replied...

We have adequate supplies of PPE now and more ventilators but our hospitals on the outer islands only have limited capacities i.e. beds and rooms to handle virus cases.

Lockdown & Passing the Time

We Asked: Are you staying home? If so, how are you passing the time? The member replied...

Yes but most businesses have reopened and churches but I only leave my home to shop for groceries.

Public Healthcare & Public Hospitals

We Asked: Are you enrolled in the public healthcare system where you live? Do you feel that the public hospitals are handling or preparing for the Coronavirus outbreak effectively? The member replied...

Yes I have Medicare and Medicare supplement. The hospitals in hawaii are as ready as they can be due to smaller hospitals on the outer islands. They are trying to keep virus cases down by educating the public how to stay safe and by teaching health measures to stay healthy.

Private Health Insurance & Private Hospitals

We Asked: Do you have private health insurance? If you have private insurance, does this give you access to private hospitals? Are private hospitals or clinics better prepared, less prepared, or the same? Please explain. The member replied...

I have medicare and medicare private supplement. Yes I could go to a private hospital but most hospitals in hawaii are state run. The hospitals on the island of oahu are bigger and therefore could handle more patients. Hospitals on the outer islands are smaller and have less beds and rooms.

Hospital of Choice for Coronavirus Treatment

We Asked: Would you choose a public or private hospital if you needed treatment for Coronavirus? Why? If there is a specific hospital that you would go to in the event of severe illness? Which hospital and why? The member replied...

I would go to queens hospital in oahu for care. They are more specialized and have more specialists for treatment.

Returning Home

We Asked: Are you considering returning to your home country due to the Coronavirus? Would this be a temporary move or a permanent repatriation? Please explain. The member replied...

I am at home.

Advice for People Outside of Kailua-kona, US

We Asked: If you live in an area already heavily affected by coronavirus, what advice would you share with others elswhere in the world who may be facing the same challenges in the future. The member replied...

I live in a state that has low covid19 cases.

How Government is Treating Expats

We Asked: How is the government of the country where you are currently living treating expats during this time? Have there been any changes or extensions made in terms of residency and and other visa renewals, applications and requirements? Has access to public healthcare been eased? Please describe any types of changes (positive and negative) that are taking place. The member replied...

The state of hawaii is allowing residents to return even if they were out of the country but they must participate in a 14 day quarantine at a hotel or their home or relatives home. They cannot rent any home or short term rental at this time. As long as people coming here can show they have an approved place to stay. Entering the united states has been limited depending on the country and whether they have low cases of the virus.