It's time to Fly the Flag

[Lou Drozdowski]

Whatever Nation... it's time to show your colors

I am in touch with by brother in Italy every day, and the news is not good . Up north in Bergamo the dead are piled up and the Army was called to remove the corpses. To put it in context, last year they had a total of 120 funerals. This figure was surpassed in only 2 days this week! Seventy trucks were called from Modena and Milan to escort the remains to crematoriums. Full lock down, no one is permitted outside, churches closed or burial gatherings called off.

Think hard of what these people are going through right now. Be smart and help the human race defeat this silent menace. Follow the rules and Stay home!
Fly your countries flag ! Semper Fidelis

Where ever you live...here or abroad... all Nations please show your support.

https://www.wearethemighty.com/military-culture/time-to-fly-flag?utm_source=social&utm_medium=organic+facebook&utm_campaign=traffic&utm_content=culture&utm_term=joslin+joseph&fbclid=IwAR0b7FspUpMI1z9AGtTjyBq6-ZtbyCS_weDSoPiA4zccB8Su_fPGx5Lzbe4 

[BDA]

The situation in Italy is really bad. I know you are concerned and your reminding me of your brother, I'm concerned too. I hope he continues to stay safe. Hopefully the Italian government allows people to try Chloroquine since it has shown promise.

Your suggestion to fly our country's flag reminds me of how, after 9/11, our Brit neighbors across the street planted a US and a Brit flag by their mailbox in solidarity with us yanks. I fly our flag every day and if I had the flag of Italy, I would fly it also (and I'd want to fly the flags of so many other countries to show my support).

[Lou Drozdowski]

This is not to be intended as a political statement, but a human one...

Take twelve minutes and listen...

https://www.facebook.com/johne.cage.39/videos/10221759189913157/

[Rosco5000]

That was a very well executed speech. So clear on what their population has to do and why. I found this video on pandemics as well and it clearly demonstrates why all the social distancing is needed before it feels like a pandemic. https://www.facebook.com/747405411/posts/10157704301500412/?d=n

[4129R]

UK now in lock-down.

When I run out of work type work from home, my garage is splendid isolation.  Luckily I have enough parts to keep me occupied for many months.

Maybe I will have to cut a flap in the door so my wife can pass me food rations from time to time.

Very strange unprecedented times.

I think many other countries will follow suit very soon.

Stay safe, and stay apart.

Alex in Norfolk.

[SilverBeast]

I'm in my second week of working from home and I'm scheduled to be at home next week now, and probably for the forseeable future.

I almost wish I couldn't work from home, as I could then get on with doing stuff on the Europa!

24/03/2020 Edit: Lots of typos. Must have been really tired!

[BDA]

I read good news this evening - that Italy is starting to turn the corner on this virus. I hope that's true and things continue to improve over there. Lou, I hope and trust that your brother is doing well in the midst of this and that things will get much better soon so he can enjoy his Europa again!

[Lou Drozdowski]

Jim, Thank you so much for your kind thoughts...

Vic and family are fine, hunkered down like gophers and yes, there is a glimmer of hope that the peak of contagion is slowing. The issue of course is the incubation period. He tells me that they figure there was 4 weeks of spreading before anyone really took notice. They are now in week 3 of lock down, and if the numbers of reported cases stabilize further add another 14 days... to get a better picture.

Here in the states we are 3 weeks behind flattening the "bell"curve. I doubt very much we will see a return to normalcy at least until mid May or June...be safe!   

[Chuck Nukem]

Lou,

I am glad to hear you and yours are well. I listened to William Tell in its entirety tonight working on the cars and my thoughts were with Italy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKARcVN63q8

The finale is really something else. It sends shivers down my spine. Viva Italia!

[EuropaTC]

back on the thread it looks as if the UK is going into Police State mode at the moment, which makes us very much like other countries. My only regret is that it didn't happen 2 weeks ago, at times we spend too much time pussy-footing around when we really ought to get on with it.

The UK guys will know the reasons but for across the pond the cause of the overnight change has been the last weekend.  The government had been "advising" to stay home, stop unnecessary travel, keep a distance from others, etc but of course the Darwin Principle mob can't (won't ?) understand. 

We live about 10 miles from Skegness, a seaside resort, and at this time of year it's not that busy.  This weekend there was a steady stream of cars going in and the place was heaving. Going on Facebook reports the pubs were packed, bars & clubs open with crowds everywhere.  Given how quiet it was when we were picking up groceries earlier in the week I'd imagine that's 99% tourists and apparently this was the same in other locations.

So if your child insists on sticking his hand in the fire, you have to take the fire away.  Now we can get fined if the police don't like your reason for being outside......

Not to worry, I'm sure there's a "honey-do" list being created as I write...... 

Brian

[TurboFource]

It is quickly getting stricter here. We are down to only essential businesses being open here in Maryland. Be safe everyone! Social distancing, wash your hands!

[Certified Lotus]

As we all do the right thing by social distancing, I’m actually enjoying the simpler aspects of life. This just might become the new normal (at least until a vaccine is created) as I’m part of the higher risk group being 65.

In the meantime, my son and his girlfriend (who are living with us at the moment to escape NYC) are making a huge attempt to piecing together a 1000 piece Lotus puzzle I’ve had for years (bought it at the Lotus store in London several years ago).

Let’s all hope this virus goes away like SARS over some period of time. In the mean time, be generous and kind to your fellow man and woman and pray for the seriously ill.

[4129R]

Quite sensibly, shops are making people queue outside at 2 metre spacing, and let you in as one comes out, to avoid close contact in the shops especially supermarkets and banks.

Some items are being rationed 2 to a customer e.g. toilet rolls, eggs.

At the moments it is a strange atmosphere, but I am very pleased to be working now a long way from London.

I avoided public transport there, and I think picture of people crammed in a tube train, plus the weekend holiday antics, brought forward the inevitable.

The sooner we locked down, the sooner we get back to normality.

It is not all about money, it is about health, and no matter how much money you have, you cannot buy health. Just ask Steve Jobs.

[1970EuropaGuy]

I sure wish Canada would take this a little more seriously. A few of the Provinces have acted with severe restrictions but here in British Columbia you can still buy a hot tub or other non essential items. At least in the small town that I live close to many businesses have closed voluntarily. Only businesses like spas and tattoo parlous have been ordered closed, even restaurants can still serve inside if they can maintain distances. I don't go to malls but apparently many of them are still open. We need our spring clothing!  Places like Walmart are a disaster. As of a few days ago there is only one food market I will go to where they are taking it seriously and even then the shelves are beginning to empty, many folks aren't keeping their distances and prices are beginning to rise quickly. I just paid $14.00 for a pound of butter, it was organic! At least gas is down to $1.12 litre.

A number of people I know have returned recently from the USA and other countries and are supposed to self quarantine for two weeks but only perhaps 50% have. It's not enforced and at this point can't be enforced because the federal government hasn't taken any action.

Wake up Canada!

[4129R]

The problem national governments have is that they are always guessing what will happen. Until the figures of positive tests and deaths rise to an unacceptable level, they are frightened to take draconian measures to stop the spread.

As the infection lags about 5 days behind, they are always guessing how widespread it has become until it is too late, and out of control.

Take a look at Italy, Spain, France and Germany and where they were 5 or 10 days ago.

Governments need to be proactive, not reactive.

I feel quite relieved the UK is in lock-down. Other countries must follow, or international re-infection will happen. We must all work together in unison to get rid of this silent killer.