Caronavirus taking its tolls with cancellations...

[CollinMacD]

I can only state what I know here in Florida, but it appears for the next few months all the Scottish Games, and other events have fallen victim to the recent Corona-Virus. Some have been cancelled as far our as June. I hate to see this, but very necessary to do given the current circumstances and the dangers all of us are facing. I certainly hope this whole ordeal ends soon. This is the real thing, and we all must be vigilant and understand what all of us are facing. CHEERS and good health to all.

[PinellasPaul]

I am so sorry for you neighbor. I truly am. But there may be hope. Just today, a French scientist and his team announced that a 50-year-old drug, Chloroquine, used to treat Lupus and malaria has been found to cure COVID-19. So the end may be in sight.

So, I pray the sickness and the fear as well as the economic damage that the whole world has suffered will be drawing to a close soon.

- Paul

[Father Bill]

Cautious that we don't get into politics here. Statistically, the virus is spreading much faster than any flu, so yes, I hope we do get a treatment soon. do be careful in your postings though, my friend: this is not an American forum; it's a global one, and decidedly apolitical.

[OC Richard]

Here in California I'm a house-husband these days, catching up with the honey-do's.

My workplace is shut down. My daughter's university is shut down, she's finishing her semester online. Happily my wife's workplace is going full bore and she can work from home. (It's a cartographic software developer, and they're busiest during crises.)

We already had our first Highland Games of the year, the Queen Mary in February. We shall see about our biggest local Games which are held over Memorial Day weekend. Our pipe band has suspended practices, and all of our St Patrick's Day gigs were cancelled.

I've heard that in China, where they've had much more experience with this, they've thrown every sort of drug at it and a number of drugs intended for various other maladies seem to help. I don't think anyone knows why yet.

[PinellasPaul]

I apoligise if I seemed to be nearing the political arena. It wasn't my intent. I'll be sure to stay far from it in the future.

I have edited my post to make it more neutral. Thank you for cautioning me. I enjoy it here and don't want to make myself unwelcome.

- Paul

[Father Bill]

I apoligise if I seemed to be nearing the political arena. It wasn't my intent. I'll be sure to stay far from it in the future.

I have edited my post to make it more neutral. Thank you for cautioning me. I enjoy it here and don't want to make myself unwelcome.

- Paul

Hi Paul.

You weren't there, but I wondered if you might drift in that direction.
No foul, and the edit is noted appreciated.

Cheers!

Bill+

[Kiltedjohn]

I am so sorry for you neighbor. I truly am. But there may be hope. Just today, a French scientist and his team announced that a 50-year-old drug, Chloroquine, used to treat Lupus and malaria has been found to cure COVID-19. So the end may be in sight.

So, I pray the sickness and the fear as well as the economic damage that the whole world has suffered will be drawing to a close soon.

- Paul

I hope the French team are right. Sounds a bit "too good to be true"!

[Dreaghann]

Just today, a French scientist and his team announced that a 50-year-old drug, Chloroquine, used to treat Lupus and malaria has been found to cure COVID-19.

According to the published scientific article linked below, chloroquine is being tested as a treatment for COVID-19 associated pneumonia. It treats some of the symptoms of COVID-19, but it does not cure COVID-19. The "test group" was only "cured" of pneumonia, not of COVID-19. The virus remains in their bodies, and they are still at risk and contagious. (Chloroquine also has terrible side effects, so this is a last resort type of treatment.)

The distinction might seem minute, but without a crucial awareness of this difference, some may decide to ignore warnings to isolate under the false impression that there is a "cure," putting themselves and others at risk of contracting a potentially lethal disease which in fact does not yet have a cure.

We should never abandon hope, but we must also deal calmly with the reality we are confronted with.

Gao, J., Tian, Z., Yang, X. (2020). Breakthrough: Chloroquine phosphate has shown apparent efficacy in treatment of COVID-19 associated pneumonia in clinical studies. Bioscience Trends, 14(1), 72-73. https://doi.org/10.5582/bst.2020.01047

Goodman, J. (2020, March 21). Coronavirus and chloroquine: Has its use been approved in US? BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/51980731

[PinellasPaul]

With my own ears, I heard the French doctor/scientist say, this drug cured 100% of the patients in the test group. Take it for what it is worth.

[Father Bill]

With my own ears, I heard the French doctor/scientist say, this drug cured 100% of the patients in the test group. Take it for what it is worth.

Well... we can hope, and for what it's worth, 'hope' is worth a lot!