Last Thursday, the CDC announced updated masking guidelines. The new guidelines now say that vaccinated individuals no longer have to wear masks or practice social distancing in most situations. However, masks are still required in Hawaii, as they continue to be on airplanes, at airports, and on public transit.
As of Friday, the US has fully vaccinated just under 37% of its total population. That’s nowhere near the 70% to 90% experts say we need to achieve herd immunity. But, given evidence seen from medical settings, the CDC says the risk of transmission to and from vaccinated persons is minimal. That’s why they updated their guidelines to allow vaccinated people to go maskless and eschew social distancing both indoors and out.
I won’t get into things, but medical experts are divided on the new guidelines. Some think it’s time to start getting back to normal, while others think it’s too risky. While we know how vaccines can protect workers in hospital environments, we don’t know how high-risk people will do. What’s more, how do you identify who is or isn’t vaccinated?
Masks Are Still Required in Hawaii
Very quickly after the CDC’s surprise announcement, Governor David Ige released a statement maintaining the status quo here in Hawaii. That means you must continue to wear masks indoors and outdoors when social distancing isn’t possible. Ige’s rationale echos that of medical experts opposing the CDC’s new guidance – you can’t tell who is and isn’t vaccinated. Another concern of the governors is that only 45% of Hawaii’s population is fully vaccinated.
Sure, Hawaii’s level of vaccination is among the best in the US. However, it’s important to remember that Hawaii is not like other states. We can’t easily get help if we need it. So, when hospitals reach capacity, that’s it. And, yes, that’s not a concern right now, but that’s the point – we want to keep it that way. At the moment, Oahu continues to average around 50 cases per day +/- 10, and about a 2% positivity rate. But, we’ve also experienced a few surges over the past few weeks. Localized clusters on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai are fast and furious, causing Hawaii officials further concern.
If Not Now, Then When?
Hawaii doesn’t have a specific target for doing away with mask mandates. However, at the moment, Ige is hinting that we’ll likely keep the mask mandate until we reach 70% to 80% vaccination rates in Hawaii. Of course, as always, Lt. Gov. Josh Green disagrees with Gov. Ige. He’d like to see Hawaii fall in lock-step with the CDC. But it’s hard to tell what Green actually thinks. In my opinion, all he seems to do is contradict, which is a political move. He knows many are unhappy with Ige, so he wants to distance himself from him since he’s planning on running in 2024.
Final Thoughts
Hawaii isn’t the only state to keep its mask mandate. California, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia, and West Virginia are not changing their current mask strategy for now. That means that these states are either keeping their mask mandates, for now, are reviewing the CDC’s guidance before making a decision, or will lift their mandates in a few weeks. Do bear in mind, though, that even if federal and local governments lift their restrictions, businesses have the freedom to create their own mandates. So be sure to, not only check with individual states when traveling but check with individual businesses you plan on visiting too.
Correction – Maryland has SIGNIFICANTLY changed it’s mask rules. Some local jurisdictions still have them, but the state has mostly dropped mask requirements for vaccinated people.
‘Follow The Science’ huh?? lol
More governments just making up rules and policies and restrictions – based on politics.
Not science.
Yup. As long as the science agrees with their preferred political narrative they’re all for it and condemn anyone who dares to agree with said science. But when science says something that doesn’t agree with their preferred narrative, “science is overrated. We’ll do our own thing on this one.” But sure, politics has nothing to do with this blatant hypocrisy. lol
*DISagree
I think Hawaii should keep the mask mandate and keep it forever because you just never know when the next virus is coming. Better safe than sorry, as they say. And, this mandate should definitely extend into people’s homes. The next virus – could happen any day now! – may be more dangerous to children. Parents who aren’t masked – and masked properly – around their children should face fines, loss of jobs, and jail time and, if they refuse to stay masked forever around their children, maybe it’s time to remove those children from those dangerous households.
So, masks forever. It’s the best policy. It’s for the children!
As an example, the first thing I do when I get out of bed is to strap on my mask, only lifting it, momentarily, between sips of coffee or bites of food. Other than those instances, I am double-masked all the time, even inside. The next virus isn’t going to announce itself. Moreover, I don’t want people to see me maskless and confuse me with a Republican and/or conservative. Every time I see someone, anywhere, without a mask, I JUST KNOW that they voted for Trump! It boils my blood. I am willing to put up with the slight inconvenience of double-masking to ensure that people don’t think I’m a Trumper! You should too. Mask up!
And while we’re on the topic of vaccine passports, I think that they are an absolute necessity. Everyone should be REQUIRED to produce proof that they have been vaccinated in order for us to move into the new reality. We have to weigh freedom against safety and safety ALWAYS must win. No more outdated thinking!! My idea on vaccine passports is infallible: proof must be linked to something that cannot be duplicated, and that is the human iris.
Iris scanners should be installed at the entryways of buildings and there should be random iris stops by authorities to ensure that we have the right to be in public. Vaccine status can be linked to one’s iris pattern, managed by the Government, and we should embolden law enforcement to check people randomly as often as possible. Iris scanners can be linked to public transportation, all forms of work (even work-at-home), and especially places such as grocery stores. Such efforts will force vaccine-deniers to get vaccinated already! Either that or they starve. There’s no other way!
Going forward, iris scanners can be mandated and installed, by the government, in everyone’s homes. In our new reality, with viruses that could happen anytime, it’s important for everyone to be accounted for and to be where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there. The concept of a vaccine passport isn’t just for travel, it’s for a completely safe society now, and in the future. Anyone who thinks otherwise and especially Republicans/conservatives who squawk about “Our Fourth Amendment” or other such garbage should be banned from all public spaces — ‘cancelled’ as much as possible!!
Are you for real???? Just adjust your tinfoil hat and move on with life!
While we’re on the topic of vaccine passports, I think that they are an absolute necessity. Everyone should be REQUIRED to produce proof that they have been vaccinated in order for us to move into the new reality. We have to weigh freedom against safety and safety ALWAYS must win. No more outdated thinking!! My idea on vaccine passports is infallible: proof must be linked to something that cannot be duplicated, and that is the human iris.
Iris scanners should be installed at the entryways of buildings and there should be random iris stops by authorities to ensure that we have the right to be in public. Vaccine status can be linked to one’s iris pattern, managed by the Government, and we should embolden law enforcement to check people randomly as often as possible. Iris scanners can be linked to public transportation, all forms of work (even work-at-home), and especially places such as grocery stores. Such efforts will force vaccine-deniers to get vaccinated already! Either that or they starve. There’s no other way!
Going forward, iris scanners can be mandated and installed, by the government, in everyone’s homes. In our new reality, with viruses that could happen anytime, it’s important for everyone to be accounted for and to be where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there. The concept of a vaccine passport isn’t just for travel, it’s for a completely safe society now, and in the future.
Finally, anyone stuck in the past who starts squawking about “Our Fourth Ammendment” or other such garbage clearly doesn’t understand our new reality and therefore should not be a part of it. Those Trumpers should be banned and cancelled, permanently, as much as possible. If allowed to remain free, they become a threat to our safety and security.
What a ridiculous column. You’re not following science, period. The “we’re an island” defense is facetious. We were told for a year to “follow the science” and many lost their livelihoods because of it. Again, what a stupid and ridiculous column.