Ongoing and Comprehensive Information Key to Reopening Hawaii
This is part of a series of posts highlighting results from the Hawaii COVID Contact Tracking Survey conducted by the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC) and the Pacific Urban Resilience Lab (PURL) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The Hawaii Data Collaborative has partnered with this group to share regular analyses and updates from this survey in the coming weeks. If you have not done so already, we encourage you to participate in the survey here.
One of the first things we noted in our survey was that the response rates were highest in the more heavily populated urban areas on Oahu—something you would expect given populations that tend to have more ready access to technology than rural and more isolated communities.
The broader results while not surprising, nevertheless, provided some revealing comparisons and insight as we dug deeper into the numbers. For example, the neighbor islands generally had lower response rates than urban Honolulu. However, Hawaii Island had a higher response rate than Central Oahu and Maui’s response rate was the lowest of the survey following Waianae on Oahu.
More importantly, some communities reported higher rates of COVID-19 related symptoms compared to their response rate (e.g. Waianae and Maui)—an indication that these communities may require additional information and resources to mitigate the impacts of the virus. Conversely, communities with lower reported symptoms relative to their response rate may have greater access to information that is helping to protect its citizens (e.g. East Honolulu).
While the data sample is small and the survey questions brief, they still provide us with useful information that can direct more probing follow-up surveys and help our community leaders and healthcare professionals develop strategies and identify priorities to curb the spread of the virus.
For example, it’s been shown that social distancing is critical to slowing or stopping the spread of COVID-19. This is supported by our survey results that show respondents who had contact with known carriers of the virus are at least four times more likely to report symptoms related to COVID-19 or to test positive for the disease.
This information seems particularly relevant as protests to "reopen" states have popped up across the country by many who face crippling business losses, bankruptcies, layoffs and mounting bills. This includes Hawaii, where a small group has also protested the shutdown of the state. Much of these movements are based on lack of information or misinformation about the dangers of the virus.
That is why ongoing and sound data is so important, not just to direct healthcare responses and strategies, but to rally public support for constructive behaviors. As we work to implement a responsible strategy to “reopen” the state, we must continue to utilize real-time data to inform our decisions. This will enable us to identify areas and populations at greater risk for the virus and respond expeditiously to contain isolated incidents.
To this end, we need your continued participation in our surveys. Of particular importance are responses from individuals on the neighbor islands and in rural communities. In addition, the initial analysis of our survey shows that, in general, more male responses are required (Figure 1), as well as responses from one-person households (Figure 2). In terms of age groups (Figure 3) and the proportion of kupuna households (Figure 4), our survey distributions are similar to that observed statewide.
While the online survey format provides a means to access a large percentage of the population from diverse backgrounds and situations, we still lack the ability to reach and understand certain subgroups, including the homeless and those isolated because a lack of technology. That lack of data makes it difficult, if not impossible, to assess their situation or respond to their needs. Moreover, it requires alternative ways to fill in these important blanks in our overall understanding of the pandemic.
Without hard information, how do we determine the extent of the spread of COVID-19 within those communities and whether they are getting adequate medical treatment? How do we know whether they are practicing social distancing and, if they are not, why not? As in other neighborhoods, information leads to insight and, ultimately, solutions. In times like these, information is our greatest ally.
COVID-19 is extremely virulent and any containment needs to be all-encompassing if it is to have any staying power as researchers scramble to find a vaccine.
In the meantime, social distancing and healthy behaviors are the only proven ways to inoculate us against the disease. They have become our modern-day mantras: Wash your hands for 20 seconds; don’t touch your face; wear a mask; keep six feet apart; don’t congregate in large groups.
Sadly, it has become a part of our Brave New World. How long it remains so, to a large extent, is really up to us.
Related Posts in this Series:
Insights from the Hawaii COVID Contact Tracking Survey
The Good, The Bad and Social Distancing in Hawaii
Our Kupuna: Understanding Their Risks
Contact Tracing versus Contact Tracking
How Vulnerable is Hawaii in the Face of a Coronavirus Pandemic?
Small Business May Play a Not-So-Small Part in Restarting Hawaii’s Economy
Underlying Health Conditions and How They Impact Our Vulnerability in Hawaii
Family Ties: Are Hawaii’s Multigenerational Families More at Risk?
