Will the End of Mask Mandate Stick in Hawaii? Vegas Sets Odds at 2-1

Las Vegas odds-makers make it a safe 2-1 bet that the lifting of the emergency face mask mandate ~ set for Saturday ~ will last a decent amount of time.

However, the same prognosticators set a 1-2 standard for bets on the mandate being extended for at least another month.

"We've been watching the state of Hawaii very carefully, since its had a history of sudden, unforeseen changes to the rules for everyone for this pandemic emergency," said Harry G. Picarelli of CG Technology, a Vegas-based consulting firm that provides odds for several sportsbooks in Nevada.

"While there is some evidence that the lifting of the mask mandate will stick this time, at least for a spell, there is more evidence that the mandate will be extended another month. Because that song and dance has been going on for a while now."

So the bookmakers set the odds of a 1-month extension being ordered before the end of Friday at 1-2, which means a person would win $1 for every $2 stake. Such odds are typically assigned for outcomes that are all but certain, limiting the return for bettors.

Nevertheless, Vegas prognosticators also feel relatively confident that the lifting of the statewide mask requirement at midnight Friday will stick for at least another month. The 2-1 odds are solid, Picarelli said.

Beyond that the odds get tricky, because there are so many options for bettors:

3-1 odds = That the mask mandate will be lifted, but re-installed before 60 days pass

 4-1 = That Gov. David Ige on Friday will postpone the decision another week

5-1 = That someone will blame Russia for the extension of the mask mandate

10-1 = That the state will order 2 more weeks to flatten the curve

11-1 = That someone will blame short-term vacation rentals for extending the mask mandate

15-1 = That the mask mandate will be extended, but people would be allowed to slide it down so their nose shows and its easier to  breathe

50-1 = That the mask-manufacturers' unions will file a lawsuit make the mask mandate permanent in Hawaii

75-1 = That people will still find carelessly discarded masks on the ground beside Maui roadways for at least a year

100-1 = That inflation will dip to 5% before the mask mandate is lifted

500-1 = That the governor and legislature will pass a law to outlaw the ordering of an open-ended State of Emergency, without any rules for how and when it will be lifted, when the governor assumes total and complete control for the decision

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Meanwhile, local residents and visitors alike began work Thursday setting up for celebrations for when the current indoor mask mandate ~ promised by the governor to end after March 25 ~ expires.

"We're treating it as if it's like New Year's Eve," said Allison Mose, assistant manager at Fleetwood's in Lahaina. "We're going to have a countdown and everything, and then Aerosmith is scheduled to perform its hit, 'Dream On.' "

"We're like Charlie Brown wondering whether he should go ahead and kick that football, or whether Lucy will pull it back again," said Joanne Proctor, owner of a yoga studio and sandwich shop in Haiku who was working with clients to arrange a parade in that little town. "We're going with the 2-1 odds that the mandate will expire. We just don't know for how long they will let that last."

"I went with the 10-1 odds that we'll get another 2 weeks to flatten the curve," said Mandy Johannsen of Paia, a client and customer of Proctor's shop.

Not Satire:

Wearing face masks in Hawaii and Maui is still recommended by government health officials. The following is relayed word-for-word from the state announcement of the ending of the indoor mask requirement.

Settings where masks are still recommended indoors include:

• Schools
• Hospitals and health care facilities
• Long term care facilities
• Shelters
• Correctional facilities
• Other congregate living settings

Masks should be considered by anyone who is indoors with people whose vaccination status is unknown, health officials said.

• Consider masks where vaccination status unknown
• Stay up to date on vaccinations and booster shots
• Get tested if you feel sick, are a close contact, before and after travel or getting together with others
• Stay home if sick
• Wash hands frequently

Find information on COVID-19 vaccines and tests at www.hawaiicovid19.com.