Return to Hawai’i during the pandemic

Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean that they aren’t out to get you.

The first step is always the hardest.  I am a procrastinator.  I am also a worrier.  Once I finally push myself to take that first step, things usually work out for the best.  Not always the way I had envisioned, but at least not as bad as I has imagined.

Going back to Hawai’i during the covid-19 pandemic was one of these difficult times.  The Governor had basically shut down all travel to the islands, including travel between the islands.  Then the requirements changed, and people were allowed to travel if they filled out a government form on their Health Department website.  

I hate government forms.  I am convinced that they exist only to gather information for ulterior motives.  I firmly believe that the worst lie in history is not, “The check is in the mail” or “I’ll respect you in the morning”, but “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you.”  Governments do not exist to help the citizens.  Governments exist to punish mistakes, and extract as much  money as possible.  The less contact you have with any government, the better.  And this is from someone who worked for a government for 20 years.

Then the requirements changed again.  The form switched to the Department of Transportation, and everyone entering Hawaii was required to “quarantine” for 14 days.  This “quarantine” was not very well defined.   It was stressed that the traveller was responsible for all costs incurred.  Did that mean that when you landed, they took you to the nearest hotel and booked you in for 14 days, whatever the cost, and you got the bill?  The same for any food you ate.  Also, you were not allowed to leave the room, except in a medical emergency.  You were deemed to be guilty before even arriving, and the only option was to purchase your innocence.  

What about returning residents?  They were allowed to self-quarantine in their homes, but basically they had to shut themselves up in their bedroom and not come out for 14 days.  Who is going to monitor this?

At a hotel, they have cameras in the hallways, the common areas, the elevators, and the desk clerk is there 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week.  The people had become the watchdogs.  After all, they wanted to not get this virus, and everyone from anywhere else, is suspect.  Everyone became a stool pigeon, a tattle-tale; not to be trusted, neighbor versus neighbor.

During this time, the media told stories about individuals who violated this quarantine and were sent back to the mainland on the first available flight – again at what cost, and whose expense?  A fine of $5,000.00 and 6 months in jail was bantered back and forth, but I never could understand if these individuals who violated quarantine were sent back on the first available flight, or if that was after they had served the 6 months?

Then there was talk of a negative test result.  The government waivered back and forth, or at least that is how it seemed from the media and the internet.  Consequently, there was much confusion – or at least, I was very concerned, and worried.