Lauren Loor is the Statewide Program Manager for Healthy Eating + Active Living (HEAL) Initiative.…
Changes in the COVID-19 Landscape
May is approaching and with that many events are returning that have been paused since the pandemic. As restrictions around gatherings ease and in-person events make a comeback, we are excited to see one of the vaccination program goals take shape.
In Hawai‘i, May 1st is known as Lei Day, but it’s also International Workers’ Day. And thanks to the actions taken by organized working-class people over many decades, today millions of us enjoy fundamental rights and protections; minimum wages and limits on working hours have been established.
Over the past two years, millions of workers have shown up and have risked their lives, to care for the sick and elderly, serve food, or maintain custodial services. Workers are the ones who have kept essential services running. So on May 1st, we ask you to join us in taking a moment to recognize, honor, and celebrate the workers of Hawai‘i!
On O‘ahu, there will be a march, rally and festival at Kalihi Valley District Park on May 1. For more information or to sign up to become a vendor (no vending fee): email hiworkerscenter@gmail.com.
FEDERAL UPDATES
CDC Recommends Masks on Indoor Public Transportation
On April 18, a court ruling voided the federal requirement that people wear masks on public transportation.
- This ruling has led some airlines, airports, and transit systems to lift their requirement that passengers or employees wear masks, while other airlines and systems are keeping those requirements in place.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend that people wear masks in all indoor public transportation settings.
- Wearing masks protects people from potential exposures to COVID-19 and is most beneficial in crowded or poorly ventilated locations, such as the transportation corridor.
COVID-19 Travel Recommendations
As the COVID-19 situation around the world changes, the CDC is monitoring COVID-19 risk in destinations around the world and making travel recommendations. You can track COVID-19 levels in other countries by clicking here.
Data on Hospitalizations of Children with COVID-19
Keiki aged five and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, which protects them from severe illness. According to CDC data from December 2021 – February 2022:
- Unvaccinated 5-11 year-olds in the U.S. were hospitalized with COVID-19 at twice the rate of their vaccinated peers during the Omicron surge.
- For every 100,000 unvaccinated 5-11 year-olds, 19.1 were hospitalized compared with 9.2 per 100,000 vaccinated kids.
Want to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines? Visit the American Academy of Pediatrics for helpful resources such as Why COVID-19 Vaccines are Important for Children.
STATE UPDATES
Masks No Longer Required on Airport Property and Public Transportation
On April 18, a court ruling voided the federal requirement that people wear masks on public transportation.
- In Hawai‘i, wearing masks on airport property is no longer required. Masks are also no longer required on the bus system throughout the state.
- The Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) disagree with the district court’s decision and will appeal, so there may be further changes to the requirement. In the meantime, the CDC recommends that people continue to wear masks in indoor public transportation settings.
Hawai‘i Department of Health’s new COVID-19 Transition Plan
Hawai‘i Department of Health’s new COVID-19 Transition Plan outlines COVID-19 priorities as the state moves from emergency response to disease management. The pandemic is not over, but builds on lessons learned to build on the goals to protect, prepare and enhance three organizational capacities: health equity, data modernization, and communications. The transition plan can be downloaded at Hawaiicovid19.com/guidance-documents.
STATEWIDE RESOURCES
Infographic: When to Use a COVID-19 Self-Test Kit
The Hawai‘i Department of Health provides the infographic, When to Use a COVID-19 Self-Test Kit that contains the latest helpful tips on when to use a self-test kit and what to do if you test positive or negative. To download the PDF, click here.
Vaccine and Booster Eligibility Graphic
The COVID-19 Public Education Campaign is an initiative to increase confidence in COVID-19 vaccines and reinforce basic prevention measures. The campaign has a plethora of free shareable resources. You may download and share resources like a graphic on vaccine and booster eligibility to make sure everyone is up-to-date on their protection. Visit wecandothis.hhs.gov to explore all of the COVID-19 resources and toolkits!
PBS NewsHour: New Normal – How Teens Are Redefining School Life
Watch Kaua‘i High’s Kate Nakamura co-host PBS NewsHour special: New Normal – How Teens Are Redefining School Life. Watch the one hour episode on PBS as students share their experiences from constant changes created by the pandemic and share messages of hope.
Waiʻanae Economic Development Council
Waiʻanae Economic Development Council is offering a free financial literacy program, Financial Lo’i. The pandemic has financially impacted many communities statewide and the Financial Lo’i was constructed with Native Hawaiian communities in mind, and aims to strengthen cultural identity and cultural connection while providing workshops on personal finance, including goal setting, income, expenses, budgeting, savings, investing, debt, and credit. Learn more at thewedc.com/services/financial-loi; interested individuals can register by clicking here.
Virtual Summit: Conversations on Encouraging COVID-19 Vaccinations
Conversations on Encouraging COVID-19 Vaccinations is a virtual summit featuring conversations among leading doctors, medical professionals, parents, and community leaders about COVID vaccines and how the broader medical community can encourage vaccination among pregnant people, children, teens, and young adults.
PUBLIC HEALTH IS HIRING!
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need to recruit and hire public health workers. Kicking off next Tuesday, May 3, we will be hosting a Public Health Career Fair in partnership with the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Office of Public Health Studies and the Thompson of Social Work and Public Health.
The career fair will take place at 2500 Campus Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822 in the Campus Center Courtyard from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, and be open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk about their future career goals with representatives from the following organizations: Waikiki Health, R.Y.S.E., Catholic Charities, Pear Suites, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Hale Kūʻike, Marimed Foundation, Lunalilo Home, Project Vision Hawai‘i, YMCA, Our Kūpuna, and more!
For more information, contact Rosi Handy at rosilyn@hiphi.org.
PUBLIC HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Masks may no longer be required at airports, on airplanes, and on other forms of transportation, but public health experts say that as cases rise again, those who want to protect themselves and their community from COVID-19 should continue to wear high quality masks.
- Want to learn more about the studies published that highlight the benefit of wearing a mask? The CDC has a study on the Effectiveness of Face Mask Use in Indoor Public Settings for COVID-19 Preventionthat shows those who wore a face mask significantly lowered their risk of a COVID-19 infection.
- More information and studies can be found within this article by the New York Times “Does My Mask Protect Me if Nobody Else Is Wearing One?”.
- HIPHI recommends wearing a well-fitting mask in indoor settings, especially in areas with poor ventilation, and when it is not possible to be six feet away from each other.
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