Post by rcollum on Mar 28, 2020 19:09:20 GMT -5
A message from our President, Dr. Mark Franke:
We’re all obviously going through some very difficult times. I am sure everyone is going through personal and professional stressors that we would never think possible in our lifetimes. Unfortunately, there is a lot of conflicting information out there as well. However, there are some good sources of reliable facts and recommendations from NIH and Dr Anthony Fauci. Be reassured there is a lot of science going on and folks looking for solutions. Dr. Fauci did a wonderful interview on the Joe Rogan show on Friday and has as much information as anyone needs at this point. Well worth listening to, with no filter and just facts. It is on YouTube.
As a part-time ER doc, now doing tons of telemedicine, I can say the following: Stay home. Social distancing is the only thing that we know that works at this point. There are no wonder drugs coming in the short-term. Virus spreads fairly easily, so cars and coffee and large group gatherings are not in the immediate future. That being said, social isolation is not good either. Stay in touch with your friends and family. Texting does not convey sentiment or emotion, so call your family or your friends or face time or snapshot or whatever works. Human communication elevates the spirit. I would encourage you to share pictures of your car or your project or whatever is giving you sustenance. We would all like to see it; post it on our website, or email it to Bob Collum.
I have had lots of messages about ‘hey what can I do?’, and I have said the following. Do something for your neighbor or an elderly couple who needs groceries. Donate to 1 of the many go fund me groups that is donating food to the emergency department, ICUs , first responders and police who are working every day. Those folks need your support . They are going to work every day despite knowing the risks. I saw four them rush into a room last week, without hesitation and save someone’s life. 30 years in my career, and I was still at a loss for words. Here is a good example of a business stepping up to help the helpers:
eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwjla.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fvirginia-restaurant-delivers-meals-to-first-responders-including-er-doctors-and-nurses&data=02%7C01%7C%7C6e6f89d794e3423421ff08d7d36fef9b%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637210350015119512&sdata=FQYFz9X05w2hT7K%2F9ReSv7W2J%2Ft3OWcE18vW3vUY9%2Bc%3D&reserved=0
So be like Mr. Rogers, optimistic and helpful to the guy next door. And maybe, just maybe, after this we will see Duane McQueen driving his Lotus :-)
Mark Franke
I am available to email if anybody has any questions: mfranke@cox.net
Upcoming Spring 2020 Events:
Britain on the Green, originally scheduled for Sunday, April 26th, has been cancelled. If you had already paid to pre-register, you should be contacted via email, to see if you want your registration fee refunded, or donated to a charity. (Thanks to Jenn Glahn for the charity option suggestion!)
The Summit Point Jefferson 500 weekend – originally scheduled for May 15th thru 17th, has been postponed until August 5th thru 7th.
Our 19th semi-annual GYLO (Get Your Lotus Out) event is still scheduled for Sunday, May 31st. We will review the situation sometime in mid-May.
Our website continues to be a way we can all keep informed. I continue to post pictures each weekend; I am posting retrospective pictures, since all cars & coffee events are cancelled for the time being. We are listing motorsport-related videos that Bob Scates has found. Kevin McKracken, in addition to providing the website itself, continues to post various news items relating to Lotus. You are invited to post pictures of your car, or your project, or whatever you are doing, on our website. If you can’t figure out how to post, email them to me – Robert_collum@hotmail.com
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Bob Collum, Mark Franke
NoVA Lotus