Sorry to raise this when it seems to be coming at us from all directions.
Having read as much as I can, discussed with knowledgeable people, read advice from similar organisations to ourselves, and of course the NHS advice, I have the following advice to give to members.
Galloway Woodturners will continue to meet at the same times as normal.
Anyone feeling unwell, with anything remotely like a cold, flu, or Covid-19 should not come to the workshop for 14 days. Even if you feel well but cough or sneeze you may be spreading Covid-19 which you have picked up and show no symptoms of, so be ready to ‘catch it, bin it’, or leave the building.
Immediately upon entering the building WASH YOUR HANDS. Use the bar of soap, work up a foam which completely covers your hands and between your fingers, then rinse it for the same time that it took to work up the lather – at least 20 seconds.
Use the PAPER TOWEL and bin the paper immediately.
If you are using club tools, or sharing any tools, use your HAND sanitising GEL, and rub your hands and the tools. Given the short supply of the gel I am assuming that is because everyone by now must have several bottles.
Use disposable cups, or WASH the cup BEFORE and AFTER use.
Immediately BEFORE LEAVING the building WASH YOUR HANDS again, in the same thorough way. This way you will not bring the virus into the building, nor take it home with you.
We can not avoid the virus, and most of us will get it, either this year, or next year, but we can delay getting it, and we can smooth the peak of infection so that the NHS is not overwhelmed and can deal with us better.
Should the situation get worse you will find it fairly obvious and difficult to avoid hearing about, so act according to NHS and government advice, and your own common sense.
If you are in doubt about coming then err on the side of caution, keep turning, and self isolate to your workshop where you can make things for club competitions, the Borders Inter-club competition and Christmas (never too early to make things for Christmas).
As the world has changed due to people’s reaction to Covid-19 I will miss the ability to interact, live, with my fellow woodturners in the same way as I used to. Even if we did not attend club meetings, Turning Tuesdays and Wednesdays, courses, demos and masterclasses, the fact that we could have if we wanted to, and that that has been taken away from us is a great loss.
I would love it if we could use the technology available to us here at Facebook to have a virtual club. and post as many pictures and short videos as possible of our workshops, wood piles, tool racks and what is on our lathes at the moment. Please do not tidy up just for the photos and videos – I am not going to (and some of you may recoil in horror, or ask who I have not received help from professionals before now) and friends do not judge each other.
Everyone is blessed with an individual personality and this will be reflected in our workshops, should anyone be deemed to be too impudent they will get one warning and then be sent to the naughty step of isolation from the Facebook pages, I for one do not need any negativity and look forward to only positivity or silence.
I will keep the club going as long as possible for those who want it, and I am able to do so myself. For those who choose not to come to Castle Douglas will have Galloway Woodturners Facebooks to keep us together until we come out the other side.
So let’s see what you have folks !