Big Island Mayoral Candidate Ikaika Marzo has released a September update to his COVID-19 Framework first published on June 10, 2020.
The revised plan is focused on safely reopening the island’s economy while avoiding further restrictions and shutdowns by properly managing the pandemic response. Based on successful policies adopted by other governments, new additions to the framework include utilizing faster and cheaper testing, prioritizing outdoor commerce, and improving ventilation and filtration for indoor buildings.
The revision comes six months after the first stay-at-home orders were issued by the State of Hawaiʻi, as the island’s families and small businesses continue to struggle with the ensuing economic downturn that has resulted from government COVID-19 policies. The scientific community’s understanding of the virus and its transmission have greatly improved over the last six months, allowing for more refined policies. Likewise, scientific evidence continues to support the importance of physical distancing, face coverings, outside locations, indoors ventilation, shielding vulnerable populations, and making wise policy decisions.
In all likelihood the virus will be still with us in 2021, and the economic impacts of the pandemic will last considerably longer. As we look to reopen tourism we must do so responsibly to ensure that case numbers do not necessitate further restrictions and subsequent undesirable economic impacts on our community.
“The health of our economy is tied to the health of our people,” said Marzo. “We must adapt quickly with smart science-based policies to reopen our economy and schools while ensuring the safety of our communities and workers. These are challenging economic times and we should consider bold ideas to help our people. We’ve added cutting-edge measures to our COVID-19 plan, proven successful in other parts of the world, to do everything possible to get as many of our people back to work full-time.”
Improved Testing:
- Increase local testing capability and reduce turn-around times on tests
- More frequent testing with cheaper tests
- Less invasive, saliva based testing
- Sewage based pooled testing strategy as a leading indicator for the densest, at-risk urban centers
Outdoor Interactions:
- Move commerce outdoors as much as possible to reduce transmission
- Cut red tape to allow businesses to operate outdoors, including possible street closures
- Different policies for outdoor gatherings compared to indoor gatherings
Indoor Ventilation and Filtration:
- Portable indoor fans and filters to reduce indoor transmission
- Ensure businesses, schools, and government facilities have adequate HVAC filters
- Update permitting for indoor facilities to allow proper filtration
Key to success:
The success of our island community can only be achieved by integrating sustainability for individuals, the environment, and the economy in all policy decisions. A Culture of Sustainability is the key to managing Hawaiʻi County to achieve prosperity amid an uncertain future.
A fresh vision:
Our island is a special place with unique needs which requires the leadership understanding distinct communities around the island. I seek to gratify individual community needs while creating balance island-wide. I offer ‘a listening ear’ to learn from the people then act on what is important to each unique community.
Hawaii Governor Ige stated, “Ikaika Marzo does a terrific job in stepping forward, taking action, wanting to help the community in a real, tangible way, and he organizes everybody.”