The COVID-19 Joint Information Center issued a informational update – COVID-19 Information Update March 25, 2020
Yesterday’s daily update was not posted because the JIC issued it after 9:00 p.m. last night. We will post today’s update if the JIC issues it earlier.
There is a large amount of speculation regarding COVID-19, please rely on OFFICIAL sources for accurate information. We added a long term post on the maroon bar above titled “COVID-19 Information.” The post includes links to the Hawaii Department of Health, the CDC and the FEMA websites.
The Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at John Hopkins University created a dashboard that shows COVID-19 statistics. Many media outlets are referencing this source in reporting and some use the graphics on their background screens.
The website reports are by countries and by states. At the website, be sure to hit the taps at the bottom to see more specific information.
Learn the story of the John Hopkins University team behind this dashboard
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to create changes in our lives. Emergency proclamations mandate “stay-at-home” orders, social distancing, and restrictions on public gatherings.
Normal life here has come to a screeching halt. The 10-person limitation on public gatherings had a sad impact over the weekend.
A retired co-worker’s funeral service was held. Many friends chose not to attend because of COVID-19. A co-worker who did not attend because of age and underlining medical conditions. In an email, she said, “The reasons we go to funerals is to console the family by shaking hands and hugging, two things we definitely are not supposed to do.” These are challenging times.
Among the onslaught of news related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following articles are of interest to Retiree News readers.
– VA invites retired medical personnel back to work. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) approved a request from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), March 19, to waive a section of federal law that governs retired VA workers. Continue reading
– What COVID-19 Means for People With Diabetes. People with diabetes are at a greater risk of being affected if they contract the coronavirus. That’s where social distancing, handwashing, and avoiding nonessential travel becomes critical. Continue reading
– Guard Leaders Battle Misinformation as Guardsmen Take on Coronavirus. Governors and adjutants general across several states have had to shoot down rumors of statewide and nationwide quarantines, martial law and other conspiracy theories since the novel coronavirus began spreading throughout the country. Continue reading
On this day in 1782, George Washington established the award that was later renamed the Purple Heart.
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, which took the form of a heart made of purple cloth, the Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given to U.S. military members
Today we honor all Purple Heart recipients.
America continues to confront the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. New reports from Italy and the rest of Europe is frightening. It seems that China’s situation seems to have leveled off, but things changes can change very quickly.
In Hawaii, the Governor issued a proclamation requiring people to stay at home. The proclamation is effective until April 30, 2020.
Under the order, the following activities are permitted outside the home:
– Travel for health and safety.
– Travel to engage in, receive or obtain goods or services from the essential businesses or operations identified in the order.
– Travel to engage in minimum basic operations of non-essential businesses, as well as the minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences.
– Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities or other high risk persons
– Travel from a person’s home or place of residence to the nearest airport or other facility for departure from the State.
– Travel required by law enforcement or court order, including to transport children pursuant to a custody agreement.
– Outdoor exercise activities so long as social distancing requirements are maintained.
– Walking pets on a leash.
There has been an onslaught of news related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following articles are of interest to Guard retirees.
– Air Mobility Command (AMC) temporarily suspended most Space-Available travel aboard its military and contracted aircraft. Continue reading
– The President has federalized Guard units in New York, California, and Washington to support the COVID-19 response. Continue reading
– The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) will require ID checks at store doors and block all non-authorized shoppers from entering. Continue reading
Last week, we had a post about Fort Shafter and its part of Hawaii’s history. The post included a modern photograph of Palm Circle. After the post a Retiree News reader sent the photograph above. The date is estimated in the early 1920s. The photographs show that most of the older facilities are still there.
The Hawaii Air National Guard is still recruiting! However, due to current COVID-19 safety guidance, we will no longer be holding in-person appointments until further notice.
Please call or email to set up a phone or virtual appointment with a recruiter.
Oahu: Aiea: (808) 235-8985
Oahu: Kapolei: (808) 888-6042
Kauai: (808) 888-6042 or (808) 235-8985
Big Island: (808) 342-9773
Maui: (808) 387-4817
Attached is today’s COVID-19 update issued by the Joint Information Center.
COVID-19 Daily Update March 23, 2020
There is a large amount of speculation regarding COVID-19, please rely on OFFICIAL sources for accurate information. We added a long term post on the maroon bar above titled “COVID-19 Information.” The post includes links to the Hawaii Department of Health, the CDC and the FEMA websites.
This photograph shows John “JC” Chun and Craig Harimoto at Naka Sushi in Las Vegas. They met in early March to catch up. John lives in Oregon and Craig moved to Las Vegas in 2009.
Both were long term members who served in the maintenance complex. Great gentlemen.
Special thanks to John “JC” Chun for his continuing contributions to Retiree News.
From the Frolic Hawaii website
It’s a crazy world out there but we all need to eat and some of us are getting tired of our own cooking. Here’s what Hawaii restaurants are offering for takeout; click on the menus to see more on each restaurant’s Instagram (Han Yang and Tango menus aren’t linked to IG).
All your favorite restaurants are suffering, either closed or offering only limited take out menus. Please support these and all restaurants that are offering take out – they need your business!
State Departments and agencies have changed office hours and operational procedures during this rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Finding out what offices are open or has online processes is a challenge.
On the State of Hawaii website is a page with links to all State Departments and agencies. You should log on and search for information before calling the department or agency.
Go to: https://portal.ehawaii.gov/government/departments-and-agencies/
23 March 1983. First flight of the Rockwell B-1B Lancer, four-engine, variable-sweep wing strategic bomber. pic.twitter.com/PHNZsDaxq8
— Ron Eisele (@ron_eisele) March 23, 2019
Of the 100 B-1Bs built, 93 remained in 2000 after losses in accidents. In June 2001, the Pentagon sought to place one-third of its then fleet into storage; this proposal resulted in several U.S. Air National Guard officers and members of Congress lobbying against the proposal, including the drafting of an amendment to prevent such cuts. The 2001 proposal was intended to allow money to be diverted to further upgrades to the remaining B-1Bs, such as computer modernization.
In 2003, accompanied by the removal of B-1Bs from the two bomb wings in the Air National Guard, the USAF decided to retire 33 aircraft to concentrate its budget on maintaining availability of remaining B-1Bs.
In 2004, a new appropriation bill called for some of the retired aircraft to return to service, and the USAF returned seven mothballed bombers to service to increase the fleet to 67 aircraft.
Currently (Sept 2017) the Air Force retains an active inventory of 62 aircraft assigned to squadrons at Dyess AFB, Texas and Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. (Wikipedia)
Attached is today’s COVID-19 update issued by the Joint Information Center.
COVID-19 Daily Update March 22, 2020
There is a large amount of speculation regarding COVID-19, please rely on OFFICIAL sources for accurate information. We added a long term post on the maroon bar above titled “COVID-19 Information.” The post includes links to the Hawaii Department of Health, the CDC and the FEMA websites.
Retiree News 
Webmaster Comments 20.03.26
The onslaught of news related to the COVID-19 pandemic continue, and the following articles are of interest to Retiree News readers.
Food-A-Go-Go is a campaign where you can find the latest information on restaurants statewide offering takeout, delivery and/or curbside pickup. It’s a free service offering lots of different options from fine dining to family restaurants to takeout operations.
Go to: www.foodagogo.org
All your favorite restaurants are suffering. Please support restaurants that are offering takeout – they need your business!
All large funeral services and military burial honors were suspended at veterans cemeteries nationwide on March 23 as part of federal efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Continue reading
Telemedicine — connecting with a healthcare provider for a virtual visit using a smartphone, tablet, or computer — is soaring in America, and it’s not just because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, although that crisis is focusing increased attention on this option for seeking medical care remotely. In fact, the number of telehealth visits has been on the rise for several years. Continue reading
The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) Highways Division announced the following changes to its vehicle licensing and safety check programs as part of the effort to reduce face-to-face interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about these changes