Pastor’s Corner: Three Graphs

July 21, 2021

I’m looking at three graphs.

One graph looks unnervingly familiar. It’s the graph of new COVID-19 diagnoses in the state of Hawai’i. At the beginning of July last year, there were less than 25 new cases a day being reported, and for some time there were none at all on this island. In mid-month, however, the counts rose sharply. As we know, they’ve gone down and they’ve gone up since.

They’re going up again, much as they did at this time last year.

Fortunately, the count of COVID-19 deaths is not rising as it did last July.

Which brings me to the third graph: the number of Hawai’i residents who have been vaccinated for COVID-19. That curve rises pleasantly high – except that it’s been flattening out as the rate of new vaccinations decreases. That’s not the curve we want to flatten.

Public health officials are concerned. I know this because they’ve called me. They need all community organizations, including faith communities, to help people get vaccinated.

If you’re not vaccinated, why not? Is it concern over side effects? They’re less severe than a case of COVID-19 and briefer than a ten day quarantine. Is it concern over safety? Over a million people in Hawai’i have received at least one dose. There’s been a complete lack of mass hospitalization because of the vaccine. Is it concern about cost? It’s free.

How can we help you get vaccinated? If people are interested, we can get vaccines administered here. If you’re having troubles making an appointment, we can set up registration assistance. If it’s concern about a medical condition you have, ask your physician.

We’re not done with this pandemic yet, friends. Vaccinations are the road out.

With aloha,

Pastor Eric

Photo by Eric Anderson