Was thinking about this, maybe because we're all aviation people in one form or another - the whole big question of whether and how to reopen is a bit like weather flying.

Meaning - it can be done... with the right training, equipment, experience and judgment.

And people with all of those things will nevertheless sometimes conclude on a particular day that it isn't safe to fly.

On the other hand, there's also get-there-itis - which drives the decision to take off into the line of thunderstorms because you absolutely have to be at the meeting or get home for the holiday dinner.

We know how that last one ends.

In all, just something more to think about.

Submitted for your consideration, as Rod Serling used to say...

Edited April 26, 20206 yr by Alan_A

I like the analogy Alan. So like a pilot, the question on reopening is are you going to be a bold citizen or an old cititzen?

Ted

1 hour ago, Ted Striker said:

the question on reopening is are you going to be a bold citizen or an old cititzen?

That's it in a nutshell.

4 hours ago, sightseer said:

especially when people driven by those nebulous forces see themselves as 'more aware' and therefore must spread the gospel about how all the rest of us are wrong, silly or naive.

Frankly, I see self-righteousness and a sense of intellectual superiority to others, equally distributed among people, whatever their political and ideological leanings.

2 hours ago, Ted Striker said:

I like the analogy Alan. So like a pilot, the question on reopening is are you going to be a bold citizen or an old cititzen?

Ted

Were it so simple... Too little caution has consequences, too much caution would have other equally serious consequences too. I think governments around the world really face a complex conundrum.

Edited April 26, 20206 yr by Murmur

While theories, ideologies, and even some verifiable facts fly back and forth, yet another call arrives, and yet another frontline fighter and a family friend reaches end-of-watch.

 

Where does the old, bold citizen fit in Ted?

Noel

@High Bypass

Here is an article on the drones

https://www.suasnews.com/2020/04/drones-trial-to-fly-medical-supplies-to-isle-of-wight-to-support-covid19-response/

Its an existing future transport project using twin engined drones which can carry 100kg.  They are aircraft requiring runways not quadcopters. 

Thanks Steve. 100kg payload UAV makes more sense. 

And even more on the drones ( this is a flight simulation forum)

https://issuu.com/university_of_southampton/docs/reaction_magazine_winter_2019
 

see page 20.  It would appear to have a wingspan of about 20 feet? it’s a UAV being designed as a low cost humanitarian aid project.

So  on one hand I don’t think this is essential to getting PPE to the Isle of Wight.

On the other hand it’s a totally brilliant opportunity for the students to get experience using it for its intended purpose from its home airport, with no light aircraft flying and a short flight path.

Edited April 27, 20206 yr by SteveFx

The downside of unlimited freedom of speech without corresponding responsibility.  Whenever we pass on, or act on, information from conspiracy theory mongers we ourselves become conspiracy theory mongers.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/27/shes-been-falsely-accused-of-starting-the-coronavirus-her-life-has-been-turned-upside-down/

What fools these mortals be (Shakespeare).

Noel

12 hours ago, birdguy said:

Where does the old, bold citizen fit in Ted?

I'm not Ted but I'll give it a shot (and this speaks to @Murmur's point, too, about the analogy needing more nuance) - I think that, as with pilots, it's about how you become old by avoiding being bold.  That is, you know your skills and limitations, you get the best information, and you make conservative decisions in order to stay safe.  There's actually a lot of nuance involved in that - the old pilot isn't somebody who decided not to fly.  He or she is somebody who took in more data about flying, and kept risks in mind, and always thought about worst cases and exit routes.

So in this case the old citizen might be somebody who wore a mask and maintained social distancing, and maybe only went to businesses and activities where social distancing was possible. The bold citizen is somebody who lives in an area with a lot of cases, didn't bother with protective gear, and decided to go to the dance club on Saturday night.

Remember that "old vs. bold" isn't a plan of action. It's a way of getting a new pilot's attention and underscoring that there are good and bad ways to make decisions.

Thinking more about it - the analogy might be better applied to local leaders.  Again, I'd contrast my governor, Hogan, who announced a reopening plan that involves graduated levels of activity that will start only when certain medical criteria are met, with some others who're taking an approach of "open the chute and let 'em loose!" Hogan, in my mind anyway, is the pilot who wants to be old and is therefore avoiding being bold.

Hope that helps clarify things a bit.

Here's a report that just went up, about excess deaths in the U.S., compared to the national average.  This parallels what was reported in New York City and could point to many more covid-19 cases than have been officially counted.

As the story notes, more work has to be done to refine the findings but the research is worth keeping an eye on.

More for the scientists/doctors and others to ponder.....

 

Paywall stopped me from reading that report Alan.

Are they saying there are many more deaths from other causes than normal and they might be coronavirus?

Noel