Isolation of the over 70s

[PhilTheFragger]

Sarcasm often does not translate well with the written word, if you read the post literally, it’s a nasty post, but having read it again with my sarcastic programming installed, I can see the point, although I would say that as it was open to interpretation, it was poorly written.

 

[ferenezejohn]

The advice is everyone should should avoid close contact where possible, with some of the posts on here you could be forgiven for thinking it was only those seventy and over who could transmit the virus.
It's an airborne virus if you touch something infected with your hand it doesn't fly down your throat by itself, hence hand washing is essential , also as for flag poles and rakes not to much to get a member of the green staff to go round in a buggy and disinfect them a couple of time a day.
Commonsense tell you to keep well clear of vulnerable people.

 

[Swinglowandslow]

The advice is everyone should should avoid close contact where possible, with some of the posts on here you could be forgiven for thinking it was only those seventy and over who could transmit the virus.
It's an airborne virus if you touch something infected with your hand it doesn't fly down your throat by itself, hence hand washing is essential , also as for flag poles and rakes not to much to get a member of the green staff to go round in a buggy and disinfect them a couple of time a day.
Commonsense tell you to keep well clear of vulnerable people.

Is this for real?. If you are infected( without knowing it) and you touch the flagstick, then it is highly likely someone in the following groups will touch the stick and get the bug. You clearly can't see that!
If play continues then for the time being, give two puts when you get to the green. I doubt there will be many( any) comps after today's press release.
There is a national emergency, so - "disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our Country"
Someone famous once said that. Relevant then, and relevant now

 

[ferenezejohn]

Is this for real?. If you are infected( without knowing it) and you touch the flagstick, then it is highly likely someone in the following groups will touch the stick and get the bug. You clearly can't see that!
If play continues then for the time being, give two puts when you get to the green. I doubt there will be many( any) comps after today's press release.
There is a national emergency, so - "disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our Country"
Someone famous once said that. Relevant then, and relevant now

There's as much chance of winning the euro millions as getting infected touching a flag stick on a golf course.
Perhaps currency, handles, any surface for that matter

 

[Ye Olde Boomer]

My club is shut down for everybody.
I can't even go for a pastrami sandwich and a pint.

 

[ferenezejohn]

My club is shut down for everybody.
I can't even go for a pastrami sandwich and a pint.

Not so good, but probably coming to all clubs.
With many clubs already struggling some might not survive.

 

[Ye Olde Boomer]

The way they're talking about it on television, it looks like the plague of the 1300s all over again.
Unlike you, we have no national mechanism to coordinate health care efforts.
Everything is running blind. Every community is struggling on its own without any national support.
People are dying, and all the experts on TV say this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Europe had its big plague centuries ago, but now it may be our turn.

 

[timd77]

A couple of thoughts I’ve had reading this thread.

Looking at my course’s online tee booking system, there are 34 ‘groups’ booked for Saturday already. Assuming an average group size of 3, that’s 102 players. Multiplied by 18 holes, that’s potentially 1800+ touches of the flag and being conservative (assuming 1 bunker shot per group per hole) another 600+ touches of rakes. Potentially 2400 opportunities for the virus to be spread.

Also, not everyone with underlying health conditions will know that they’ve got underlying health conditions.

 

[Sports_Fanatic]

A couple of thoughts I’ve had reading this thread.

Looking at my course’s online tee booking system, there are 34 ‘groups’ booked for Saturday already. Assuming an average group size of 3, that’s 102 players. Multiplied by 18 holes, that’s potentially 1800+ touches of the flag and being conservative (assuming 1 bunker shot per group per hole) another 600+ touches of rakes. Potentially 2400 opportunities for the virus to be spread.

Also, not everyone with underlying health conditions will know that they’ve got underlying health conditions.

Again, practice social distancing, its important.

But I am struggling with the analysis here, you’ve taken the sat booking and concluded 2400 opps for a virus to spread to highlight a significant risk.

In fact at this stage the probability of one player having it out of the 102 is minute given the suggestion that we’ve got 50k cases out of over 65m people.

It also still ignores the point that this virus is spreading through respiratory droplets, and whilst not ruled out no scientific article I’ve seen has said that it’s spread by touching surfaces (and then you would need to touch your face before washing hands). It is definitely not a main contributing factor to the spread.

Why do I think this is relevant as by discussing such low (infinitely small) risk situations it hides the key message of keep 6ft between you and isolating if you feel you have the symptoms. That care on social interaction (which can be mitigated substantially outside on a golf course) is key at this time until further advice is given by the specialists.

 

[Reemul]

Don't need flags at all, if it's a choice between playing with no flags or not playing with flags, take em away

 

[timd77]

Again, practice social distancing, its important.

But I am struggling with the analysis here, you’ve taken the sat booking and concluded 2400 opps for a virus to spread to highlight a significant risk.

In fact at this stage the probability of one player having it out of the 102 is minute given the suggestion that we’ve got 50k cases out of over 65m people.

It also still ignores the point that this virus is spreading through respiratory droplets, and whilst not ruled out no scientific article I’ve seen has said that it’s spread by touching surfaces (and then you would need to touch your face before washing hands). It is definitely not a main contributing factor to the spread.

Why do I think this is relevant as by discussing such low (infinitely small) risk situations it hides the key message of keep 6ft between you and isolating if you feel you have the symptoms. That care on social interaction (which can be mitigated substantially outside on a golf course) is key at this time until further advice is given by the specialists.

I don’t disagree with you, but none of us really know, the experts don’t really know exactly how it’s being spread, how long it’ll stay on surfaces etc. Same for the 50k cases, nobody knows, the government aren’t testing.

I agree that the chances out of those 102 are minute, but it’s not a big stretch of the imagination to picture a player sneezing into his/her hand or spitting on his/her ball to clean it with their fingers, and then depositing that onto a flag or rake.

For the record, I still plan to go out and play, but I’m not sure I would if I was over 70.

 

[williamalex1]

Just received another email from my club, all bunkers declared GUR rakes have been removed, don't pick up PPs tees or balls, leave the flag in

The course will remain open weather permitting but all comps are cancelled until further notice.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

A couple of thoughts I’ve had reading this thread.

Looking at my course’s online tee booking system, there are 34 ‘groups’ booked for Saturday already. Assuming an average group size of 3, that’s 102 players. Multiplied by 18 holes, that’s potentially 1800+ touches of the flag and being conservative (assuming 1 bunker shot per group per hole) another 600+ touches of rakes. Potentially 2400 opportunities for the virus to be spread.

Also, not everyone with underlying health conditions will know that they’ve got underlying health conditions.

My club has taken all rakes in. Greens team will try and rake all bunkers first thing, players asked to use foot or club to tidy bunker best as.

But how long that will actually matter one jot who knows.

 

[Diamond]

Just received another email from my club, all bunkers declared GUR rakes have been removed, don't pick up PPs tees or balls, leave the flag in

The course will remain open weather permitting but all comps are cancelled until further notice.

That is sensible but I think everyone over 70 or with known health issues should stay away from the course. I have had an argument with my Mum today about her going shopping and a friend who is going the pub, both over 70 and both stubborn.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Mrs Hogie going to her 90yr old mum on Wednesday - coming back Saturday. She's wondering whether Farnham to Chesterfield for this is essential travel. However she's going. Her brother is back form Malta today having lost his job so she'll sort out with him how he'll be in the house with mum self-isolating. She'll do a bit of shopping for her mum on Wednesday and on Thursday will go visit our lad in Sheffield to check how he is - out of work and we know he is worried sick...

 

[rudebhoy]

Mrs Hogie going to her 90yr old mum on Wednesday - coming back Saturday. She's wondering whether Farnham to Chesterfield for this is essential travel. However she's going. Her brother is back form Malta today having lost his job so she'll sort out with him how he'll be in the house with mum self-isolating. She'll do a bit of shopping for her mum on Wednesday and on Thursday will go visit our lad in Sheffield to check how he is - out of work and we know he is worried sick...

My missus is trying to decide whether to go see her mum this weekend. She is in her 80s and lives alone with no family nearby (we are 100 miles away), so she feels that she needs to go to make sure she is ok. My "rational" advice is for her not to go as there is an admittedly small chance she could infect her (the missus works in a school where viruses fly about like nobody's business). It's a tough call, if she doesn't go, she will be racked with guilt.

 

[badgergm]

Surely to a degree any self-isolation for over 70's is unworkable. Those not able to rely on family and friends will need food and medicines and so surely some dispensation has to be be made to allow them to get these. Otherwise what happens? They don't eat, get frail(er) and die or don't get their medications and their conditions aren't kept under control until the point of hospitalisation or worse? Definitely typical LBC scaremongering at the moment

We'll have to see what arrangements can be made for such people. I suspect all sorts of schemes will be set up.

But I think you;ve got your head in the sand. Look at what is happening elsewhere. It will happen here. Isolation big style is coming

 

[badgergm]

Due to proximity to local housing, our flags get nicked a lot. For rakes, every group takes a rake round with them - so no rakes left at bunkers. Would help a bit. Quite a few members have their own rakes (usually small and not that great.

 

[drdel]

Been buying groceries weekly online from a major supermarket for 10+years- always booked 2 weeks ahead.

We're in the +70 group; not been able to book any 'slots' for the last week! I guess we'll run the gauntlet

Our 'Club' has cancelled its AGM - the website still advertises for bookings the 'Mother's Day Lunch' and are selling tickets for a 'tribute' band next week!! Joined up thinking - probably not.

 

[williamalex1]

My missus is trying to decide whether to go see her mum this weekend. She is in her 80s and lives alone with no family nearby (we are 100 miles away), so she feels that she needs to go to make sure she is ok. My "rational" advice is for her not to go as there is an admittedly small chance she could infect her (the missus works in a school where viruses fly about like nobody's business). It's a tough call, if she doesn't go, she will be racked with guilt.

My daughter arrive back from Tenerife on Friday, I sent a taxi to pick her up at the airport.
I haven't actually met up with her yet [ except for facetime ] as we are self isolating and don't want to take the chance. Hopefully see her when this blows over, she stranded here till the flights resume.