We are all safe in Kona

It took a while, but the COVID-19 virus finally made it to the Big Island. The first case showed up on Monday. It's been making its way across the islands for a couple of weeks.

Because the news media told people to stock up on toilet paper, people hoarded toilet paper and now there is none to be had anywhere in the Kona area. Such a bizarre problem to have! I always have spare everything, so I'm not too worried.

We are pretty much in the same lock-down mode as the Bay Area.

• Restaurants and bars are closed (except for takeout).
• All public events are canceled (no Merrie Monarch this year).
• Group gatherings of more than 10 people are forbidden.
• One of the charming new situations is that grocery stores (not Costco) are opening an hour earlier some days just for kapuna!!! (That's the over-60 crowd if you don't speak Hawaiian.)
• Kauai is implementing a nightly curfew from 9PM-5AM.
• The governor and the county mayors are actually asking visitors to STAY AWAY.
• Looting and rioting and the zombie apocalypse can't be far behind.

My plan is to be appropriately paranoid and avoid people and public places. Sophie and I are happy to go to the beach and never get close to other people. I've intentionally been practicing social distancing for some time now. :)

Stay safe, everyone!

Aloha!