well folks I've had a bit of a rough day on the news front today. got a call from my dad telling me that my sister and her boyfriend have the virus and are self isolating.

a little while later my wife's father phoned to tell us that her sister, boyfriend and daughter also have the virus.

since none of them have been hospitalised then they will not appear in any official figures.

what makes this even more significant is that they are not living in large cities like London or Glasgow but in small villages which seldom register on most maps. in the space of a few hours I now know 5 people that have Covid-19

if you have any doubt about the severity of this situation then the fact that it is becoming prevalent in small one horse towns and villages is a clear warning that the time has come re-double our efforts in washing our hands and sterilizing every surface we come into contact with.

as my gran used to say: "Prevention is better than cure"

That is rough news, be careful. I just took a trip into the Columbia River Gorge between Washington and Oregon here in the US. Turns out the place was swamped with folks from the big cities trying to social distance out in the wilderness. Lots of 1 and 2 horse towns. Everything is closed, folks are hanging on by their fingernails. We we had to get take out dinners, from the few restaurants that were open, mostly managed by the owner and family since the real staff was gone.

I am afraid this is quite serious and many ones out there fail to realize... We have first to stop spreading the virus, like China did, and the only way for the moment is staying at home.

We modellers are in better position for that, truth to be told

Take care all.

The trouble is China is not telling the truth - surprise, surprise. Their stats rates do not match those of the rest of the world, so clearly they are not reporting as they should.

All I can say is follow the advice and hope that the lunatics out there don't cause you to get it. https://tuckbot.tv/#/watch/fnobpu

China isn't telling the truth, the US isn't telling the truth, nobody is telling the truth. The one man who is will most likely lose his job.

Five teacher-people we know here caught the virus starting with contact with an asymptomatic spouse at a pick up hockey game.

Family are safe and all in all, introverted rural Vermont living is not all that different from textbook social isolating.

Stay healthy and build models
Mike

just watched that video mate #@$% Me, really???? what the hell is wrong with people today, i wouldn't have believe it, if you hadn't of posted it!!!!

David, that is rough news, hopefully they will recover with mild symptoms, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Regarding the clip above, people who are ignorant, selfish, and arrogant are out there in total denial about what’s going on. And then there are some who are just disturbed. During the great pandemic of 1918, when millions died, those folks who disregarded what was then the best medical advice available (some of which was wrong) got thrown in jail. But for every instance of idiocy like the one above I see, I’m encouraged by those courageous millions of first responders, medical personnel, and now grocery workers and others across the globe who are on the “front lines” and daily put their lives on the line to support the rest of us while we “isolate” at home. This period and crisis we are living through is unprecedented in modern time. How we respond, conduct ourselves, and serve others will define our character now, and for all of history.
Very Respectfully,
Russ

Russ,

I fully agree with you and I think these dimwits that breach the rules should be locked up for six months, that way their idiotic behaviour can't cause any harm to the rest of us

So I’ve just been reading on MSN news— there’s a new term being used to describe these people who are defying legal orders, denying the crisis, and basically being stupid. They are now being called “Covidiots”. Guess they could also be “Coronoidiots” too.
VR, Russ

I'm liking the covidiots name tag, I can think of a few other choice words for these cretins but this a family friendly website so I won't elaborate.