KW AND THE DELTA VARIANT 

By Roger Kostmayer

TO:  The Mayor and City Commissioners

Most well informed KW citizens are concerned about what the city will do to protect the community from what one called a “looming tsunami”.  Is it possible to prevent massive spread of the deadly Delta virus?  Following are facts and suggestions we hope you and your medical advisors consider.

8/18/2021 – “Covid Surges” (County Board of Health).  “Hospital beds are filling up.”

FACTS   

We are now faced with what is described as an Unvaccinated Epidemic, because more than 90% of current infections are from patients who aren’t vaccinated.  Those who are not vaccinated will get sick, infect others and some of both will die unnecessarily- until some level of “herd immunity” is reached.  

The Delta variant (90%) is more infectious and has much greater transmission than Covid 19.  There is some evidence that Delta is even more virulent and deadly than predecessors.  There is not yet data, however, that quantifies the long term affects of Delta variant infection (e.g. lung scarring, pulmonary diseases, cancer, etc.)  The young, the elderly and the medically vulnerable are all at risk.

We believe the greatest KW danger is failing to do EVERYTHING necessary to mitigate and defeat the Delta epidemic (vaccine shots, masks, mandates, quarantines, testing, outdoors, distancing, hand sanitation, et al.)  That failure could allow a new and more dangerous variant  to evolve, from which current vaccines won’t protect us.

MISSION:

The first duty and responsibility of government is to save lives, protect hospitals and insure the public’s health and welfare.  Therefor, KW must do what is possible to try and get 90% or so of both residents AND visitors vaccinated – perhaps by using education, persuasion, motivation and MANDATES (which means there must be financial penalties for multiple violations).  US history, requiring vaccinations for more than 100 years (e.g. diphtheria, polio, chicken pox and others), has proven successful.  The only other preventive tools we have are MASKS, which are effective when used properly, and preventing large and small “spreader” events.

POLITICS, LEGAL ISSUES and PUBLIC RELATIONS:

(These are above our pay grade, but it is clear that addressing this difficult threat will require skill, integrity and courage from all elected officials.  It would be helpful and unifying if these decisions are unanimous).

As a small community, on a small island, with a small local hospital, that has a small, overworked staff – WE ARE VULNERABLE.   If KW becomes a “hot spot”, even briefly, it could damage us economically for a long time.

MANDATES:

It seems obvious to us that one of the first steps should be to commit to following science and CDC advice that is tailored to our local facts.  This means carefully monitoring data and establishing trigger points.  If the numbers and results are seriously threatening, could we prevent events and require masks & evidence of full vaccination for most pleasant activities? :  Like Festivals, movies, plays, concerts, restaurants, shopping, bars, athletic events, transportation – and also test & quarantine those who visit KW?  I think there are precedents for  most of these protective tactics (see Florida school systems, NYC, SF and Las Vegas).

Your friends, neighbors & Roger support and thank you for your efforts on our behalf. 

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