Maui may have an advantage in minimizing the spread of the highly infectious COVID-19 virus.

Our island is rural and not densely populated.

Alan Katz?, an epidemiology professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, said that because a majority of Hawaii’s communities are rural, it could help lessen the chance of a major outbreak here.

Because the incubation period for COVID-19 is up to 14 days, Katz said Hawaii will inevitably see more cases during the statewide lockdown this month.

We are all hopeful it won’t be a steep increase.

In order to avoid a major outbreak, he urges everyone to take health guidelines seriously.

“The most important thing you can do is maintain social distancing. Stay six feet away from each other. That’s going to really dramatically mitigate person-to- person spread of this,” Katz said.

“If you’re not essential – if you’re supposed to be at home – try to stay at home. Don’t aggregate in groups.”

Keep in mind that researchers say ?COVID-19 is much more contagious than the seasonal flu.

Katz projects Hawaii’s Coronavirus curve could flatten within the next couple of weeks IF HEALTH GUIDELINES ARE FOLLOWED.

Some key recommendations are: wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, going to the bathroom, and before eating or preparing food; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; stay home when you are sick; and cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Let’s all follow the statewide stay-at-home order and practice social distancing to stem the spread of COVID-19 here.