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The carrot has not been working, so here comes the pandemic stick.
The Hawaii State Department of Education's announcement Wednesday that it will require COVID-19 vaccinations for all public school student-athletes, athletic staff and volunteers signaled an escalation in the war of wills between officials and skeptics. A day later, Hawaii Gov. David Ige doubled down by declaring all state and county workers will be required to be vaccinated or possibly face termination. Ige did so with the support of the county mayors, including Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino.
As more-transmissible variants of the coronavirus fuel alarming surges of the disease across the state, we expect private sector employers and insurance companies to follow suit. Folks who refuse to be vaccinated may soon find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to accessing basics like employment, travel, affordable insurance and entertainment. As staff writer Robert Collias found while reporting on the DOE plan this week, reactions are sure to range from "outrage to understanding."
We have listened to the concerns of those who are resistant. Some are afraid of the vaccine and some are leery of their government. Others have dug in their heels so long that they are worried about losing face if they change their minds.
The holdouts have heard our mayor, governor and president say the vaccines are safe and effective. Public health officials insist the jabs are the best way to put the pandemic behind us. More than 600,000 people in America have died due to COVID-19. Its long-haul effects could be a drag on the economy and public health for years to come.
Even so, the pleas keep falling on deaf ears. Our leaders can take away privileges, make life harder by requiring frequent testing, but what can be done to change minds?
Shame is not working. Appealing to do right by others is not working. Fear mongering is not working. And now the pandemic stick has been brandished. Let's not completely abandon the carrot.
Paying people to get a jab has helped some Mainland communities. The chance to win a prize has won folks over. How about making partnerships with island churches and community groups? Not just asking ministers and priests to advocate for vaccines, but also getting them to invite the State Department of Health to set up clinics to inoculate parishioners before and after services.
Our biggest pockets of resistance should be identified and targeted. What ethnic, political or cultural barriers can be breached through education and outreach? A lot of bad information has been spread. Trusted spokespeople who connect to these demographics could be recruited to counter that.
The carrots of positive reinforcement, creative incentives and compelling messaging must continue to be part of a Hawaii COVID-19 playbook that now suddenly includes the threat of the pandemic stick.
* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.