*SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ON CORONAVIRUS*
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
As all are almost certainly now well aware, there is a pandemic taking hold across the globe. The cause of this pandemic is a virus known as SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) and the resulting disease it causes in humans is known as COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019).
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. While the impact of the disease seems to vary from person to person, it’s lethality is particularly high among the older generations as well as those with pre-existing conditions which may render them more susceptible to its worst effects.
At the time I write this the World Health Organisation reports 167,511 confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease and 6,606 deaths worldwide, while the Australia Department of Health reports 375 confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease and 5 deaths so far here in Oz. Closer to home there have been several confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease in and around the north-eastern boundary of the Parramatta Local Government Area.
What sets this latest SARS-CoV-2 pandemic apart from the previous H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic and SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV epidemics is the increased likelihood of human to human transmission. This is not only due to the contagious nature of the virus, but also apparently due to the fact that carriers are believed to be able to pass the virus on to others even before showing symptoms of the resulting disease themselves. The number of confirmed cases outside China has effectively doubled in just the last 4 days, as authorities gain a grasp of the situation and cases are more readily classified and diagnosed.
Various countries have sadly been slow and largely ineffective in their efforts to limit spread of the virus from place to place, with most jurisdictions now focused on arresting the rate of infection as the virus spreads through communities, with the key priorities being to limit the loss of life while working to prevent relevant health resources, personnel and infrastructure from being overwhelmed.
As a result of all this it is imperative that members of our broader community do what they must to isolate themselves and limit further spreading of the virus, with various bans on events and gatherings coming into effect as well as increasingly disruptive social distancing policies being implemented.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR PRCAC?
* Anyone who is showing any of the symptoms listed above should refrain from visiting the McCoy Park Flying Field until suitably cleared of any possible infection.
* Everyone who does visit the field should, as a matter of caution, effectively treat yourself and others as if infectious.
* Do not touch the gate padlocks or flightbox if you do not have a decent hand sanitiser or equivalent on hand (I myself am carrying around a 70%/30% mix of IsoPropyl/Water in a small push-action atomiser spray bottle, good for hands and surfaces).
* Do not park or fly in close proximity to each other
* Do not shake hands with anyone
* Do not share transmitters as the scum and fat filled serrated tips of our control stick would seem a perfect vector for transmission.
* Do not visit the field without a suitable disinfectant to mitigate the risk of any unplanned exposure (100% available at bunnings, just add 30% water)
Those of us who are at high risk if they come into contact with the virus should take precautions to isolate themselves from needless exposure, particularly those who are getting on a bit and have relevant pre-existing conditions. Limiting close and/or physical contact with others, not touching your face in public, maintaining consistent and effective hand-washing habits and routinely disinfecting risky surfaces (door handles, steering wheels, etc) with diluted IsoPropyl Alcohol is worth doing in any case, no matter who you are.
With that said, the risk of exposure can be somewhat mitigated down at the field. We're not indoors, not cramped for space and we aren't a large group. Simply keeping a distance of 2-3 metres and not standing downwind from one another should be easy enough and can massively reduce any chance of transmission if we are all mindful of ourselves and others. Following the standard recommendations to prevent infection spread which includes regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing and not touching your face if you have been in contact with other people or surfaces that other people have come into contact with will go a very long way towards mitigating the risks involved.
This pandemic is going to continue to unfold for several months yet and we can't all simply lock ourselves in for this entire time (unless we are advised to do so by relevant authorities). A trip down to the flying field is perhaps an excellent opportunity for members to get out and enjoy themselves in an environment which presents very little risk when compared to alternative social activities.
Please feel free to post any questions, suggestions or feedback below.
Finally, community groups like our club can play a critical role in helping to provide important support mechanisms during this difficult time. If any one of our members find themselves struggling to secure a few rolls of TP, manage a trip to the local supermarket, courier themselves or something else from A to B, stock themselves with a few weeks worth of groceries and essentials, or for any other reason, please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or a committee member for assistance.
Further updates will be provided if and as necessary.
Kindest regards,
Jason B
President - PRCAC
(I am just a direct message or phonecall away)
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
As all are almost certainly now well aware, there is a pandemic taking hold across the globe. The cause of this pandemic is a virus known as SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) and the resulting disease it causes in humans is known as COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019).
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. While the impact of the disease seems to vary from person to person, it’s lethality is particularly high among the older generations as well as those with pre-existing conditions which may render them more susceptible to its worst effects.
At the time I write this the World Health Organisation reports 167,511 confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease and 6,606 deaths worldwide, while the Australia Department of Health reports 375 confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease and 5 deaths so far here in Oz. Closer to home there have been several confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease in and around the north-eastern boundary of the Parramatta Local Government Area.
What sets this latest SARS-CoV-2 pandemic apart from the previous H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic and SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV epidemics is the increased likelihood of human to human transmission. This is not only due to the contagious nature of the virus, but also apparently due to the fact that carriers are believed to be able to pass the virus on to others even before showing symptoms of the resulting disease themselves. The number of confirmed cases outside China has effectively doubled in just the last 4 days, as authorities gain a grasp of the situation and cases are more readily classified and diagnosed.
Various countries have sadly been slow and largely ineffective in their efforts to limit spread of the virus from place to place, with most jurisdictions now focused on arresting the rate of infection as the virus spreads through communities, with the key priorities being to limit the loss of life while working to prevent relevant health resources, personnel and infrastructure from being overwhelmed.
As a result of all this it is imperative that members of our broader community do what they must to isolate themselves and limit further spreading of the virus, with various bans on events and gatherings coming into effect as well as increasingly disruptive social distancing policies being implemented.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR PRCAC?
* Anyone who is showing any of the symptoms listed above should refrain from visiting the McCoy Park Flying Field until suitably cleared of any possible infection.
* Everyone who does visit the field should, as a matter of caution, effectively treat yourself and others as if infectious.
* Do not touch the gate padlocks or flightbox if you do not have a decent hand sanitiser or equivalent on hand (I myself am carrying around a 70%/30% mix of IsoPropyl/Water in a small push-action atomiser spray bottle, good for hands and surfaces).
* Do not park or fly in close proximity to each other
* Do not shake hands with anyone
* Do not share transmitters as the scum and fat filled serrated tips of our control stick would seem a perfect vector for transmission.
* Do not visit the field without a suitable disinfectant to mitigate the risk of any unplanned exposure (100% available at bunnings, just add 30% water)
Those of us who are at high risk if they come into contact with the virus should take precautions to isolate themselves from needless exposure, particularly those who are getting on a bit and have relevant pre-existing conditions. Limiting close and/or physical contact with others, not touching your face in public, maintaining consistent and effective hand-washing habits and routinely disinfecting risky surfaces (door handles, steering wheels, etc) with diluted IsoPropyl Alcohol is worth doing in any case, no matter who you are.
With that said, the risk of exposure can be somewhat mitigated down at the field. We're not indoors, not cramped for space and we aren't a large group. Simply keeping a distance of 2-3 metres and not standing downwind from one another should be easy enough and can massively reduce any chance of transmission if we are all mindful of ourselves and others. Following the standard recommendations to prevent infection spread which includes regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing and not touching your face if you have been in contact with other people or surfaces that other people have come into contact with will go a very long way towards mitigating the risks involved.
This pandemic is going to continue to unfold for several months yet and we can't all simply lock ourselves in for this entire time (unless we are advised to do so by relevant authorities). A trip down to the flying field is perhaps an excellent opportunity for members to get out and enjoy themselves in an environment which presents very little risk when compared to alternative social activities.
Please feel free to post any questions, suggestions or feedback below.
Finally, community groups like our club can play a critical role in helping to provide important support mechanisms during this difficult time. If any one of our members find themselves struggling to secure a few rolls of TP, manage a trip to the local supermarket, courier themselves or something else from A to B, stock themselves with a few weeks worth of groceries and essentials, or for any other reason, please do not hesitate to reach out to myself or a committee member for assistance.
Further updates will be provided if and as necessary.
Kindest regards,
Jason B
President - PRCAC
(I am just a direct message or phonecall away)