I appreciate everyone's comments.
Here's a story about scopes and infection prevention:
A year or so ago my granddaughter somehow got me to agree to give a birding
talk to a group of 3-year-olds. To my surprise, it went really well.
I had this idea of bringing my spotting scope, even though I knew it
probably wouldn't work with them. I brought alcohol wipes with me and
cleaned the rim around the eyepiece after each kid. (Whether my talk went
well or not, I did not want a reputation such as "Isn't he the guy who
spread pinkeye through the whole 3-year-old class?")
With the possible exception of one little girl, I don't think any were able
to look through at an angle that let them see anything.
My two favorite reactions were:
Can you see anything?
Yes!
What do you see?
It's a skeleton! [It wasn't.]
(We do encourage kids to use their imaginations.)
From a little boy as soon as he put his eye to the scope: WOW!
What is it?
It's BLACK!
(In other words, he wasn't seeing through the scope. But he was very
excited about it.)
Stay safe out there.
Ben Yandell
Louisville
On Tue, Mar 31, 2020 at 11:44 AM David Svetich <svetich813@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Ironically,given my career choice, a fellow doing septic work for us was
trying to enlighten me as to human gut flora and it's role in maintaining a
healthy septic system this morning. Who knew?
He was then surprised as to how little we had at the bottom after 10
years. Snickering aside, this should make liars of quite a few of you when
I happen to mention that I saw such and such bird! Trying not to be outdone
by Frank's stories.
😘Hopefully , this imogi will finalize anyone feeling they owe me !
Delighted to be able share each others finds in a safe and friendly manner.
The 10 people present for the NECO were spread out over maybe 200 feet w
high 5s etc often given from 20 feet away. One attraction to birding is how
attentive and well informed the participants are and were during this
outing.
The viewing was what seemed to be a safe respite on a very sunny day from
this dark invader C-19. As eloquently expressed by others, be safe and
let's flatten our curve so our society can eventually resume on what would
have to be on a more enlightened level.
Good birding.
Dave Svetich
Lexington
On Tue, Mar 31, 2020, 08:55 Ronan O'Carra <ronan.o.carra@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
In regards to scopes I have recently purchased a digiscope adapter (my
previous one wasn’t good enough) and an external phone battery. This
allows me to hook it on and the scope image can be seen on the phone
without the need to adjust focus or get too close to it. This is something
that I think walk leaders should avail of (be given?) so that even during
regular times it may make things easier (it does help that these subjects
stay still).
I was able to use it to give some direction to observers of where it
was. I stepped away when they came to view through the scope.
Ronan O’Carra
Lexington.
On Tue, Mar 31, 2020 at 8:42 AM Marsh, Scott <smarsh@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
It never entered my mind to kiss Doctor Dave; guess I owe you one Dave
when this has all passed.
*From:* birdky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:birdky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
*On Behalf Of *brainard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Sent:* Tuesday, March 31, 2020 8:39 AM
*To:* BIRDKY <birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Subject:* [birdky] Re: Birding needs to become a less social activity
for a while
In *my* post about Lexington birding and the group at the cormorant
yesterday, I should have also been more clear ....
I think there were ten of us present at one point, but no one was
shaking hands as we normally would (I didn't even give Dr. Dave a kiss for
finding such a special bird!), and we were all giving each other space. And
I only mentioned the scopes because we found that was the thing we had to
be most careful about.
bpb, Louisville
-----Original Message-----
From: Lyneart
Sent: Mar 31, 2020 8:30 AM
To: estiles74@xxxxxxxxx
Cc: Ben Yandell , BIRDKY
Subject: [birdky] Re: Birding needs to become a less social activity for
a while
Ben’s post made me think I should add an addendum to a post I made a few
days ago about my great, great niece taking an interest in looking through
my telescope. When my young visitor left, Alison used Clorox wipes on the
scope, tripod, and every surface in the house she or my nephew had touched.
A couple of folks suggested that I should try further to interest her in
birding. I would like to, but the matter of her not having any equipment of
her own is a serious problem right now, for safety’s sake.
I am apt to be seeing more of her because of school being out. I’ll just
have to be as careful as I can with each encounter. If she does take a real
interest in birds, guess I’ll have to buy her some binoculars.
Frank Lyne
frank@xxxxxxxxxxx - near Dot in Logan County, KY
On Mar 30, 2020, at 10:31 AM, andrew melnykovych <estiles74@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Amen.
Andrew Melnykovych
Louisville, KY
On Mon, Mar 30, 2020, 10:38 AM Ben Yandell <benyand@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I am glad to see that people are still getting outside to bird. I intend
to do the same soon. Why lock yourself indoors? (Unless ordered to do so.)
Some things to keep in mind, however. (Yes, I know you're sick of
hearing about this.)
Kentucky's *known* COVID-19 cases are currently doubling every 2-3
days. (Put that in a spreadsheet and play it forward.)
We don't know about *actual* cases, but the trend is likely similar,
and the numbers are no doubt MUCH higher. Kentucky is on pace to accumulate
tens of thousands of cases by mid-April, if it hasn't already. And by June
...?
Kentucky state officials are doing a good job of following expert
advice (unlike those in Tennessee or Indiana, at least initially).
I applaud the cancellation of meetings by our birding groups.
Please follow the recommendations of CDC and state officials about
social distancing, hand washing, etc.
6 feet is a recommended MINIMUM separation from others. Ten feet is
better. And actual contact (handshake, etc.) is obviously an effective way
to spread this virus.
If you're traveling in a car with someone, you're not maintaining the
recommended distance.
Coming into contact with 20 people 2-3 at a time is still contact with
20 people.
Your most likely route of infection is from your hand to your eyes,
nose, or mouth. We are all like blackbelts in karate now: our hands are
deadly weapons.
The virus does stay active on boxes, handles, envelopes, scopes, etc. It
isn't known how often these items create infections. (We use gloves and
wipe down or quarantine incoming items.)
Sharing scopes has always had some (small?) risk of such joys as
conjunctivitis for both lender and lendee. Personally, I flat would not do
it for the next few months at least.
Most people only think they know how to wash their hands, use gloves,
etc. When washing your hands, SOAP and TIME are key ingredients in
inactivating the virus.
Having no symptoms is not the same as having no disease. People who seem
completely healthy can still carry the virus, and "silent spreaders" are
likely behind most of the community-acquired infections.
Not to be a nag, but I keep hearing the defense: "but no one was sick."
I say again: healthy-looking people can transmit the disease.
Even a negative test is not proof of lack of disease. Some studies have
found as many as a third of negative tests to be "false negatives" due to
the timing of the test, adequacy of the sample taken, etc.
This is not "just the flu." (As if the flu were a harmless disease.) And
it doesn't kill just old people. And even if it doesn't kill you, being
hospitalized, intubated, etc., is no picnic. And if medical care is swamped
with sick people, it won't be as available to cover other illnesses,
accidents, disease management, etc.
I know that many people still don't take this pandemic seriously. They
are a risk to themselves, and they make it tough to slow the spread of this
disease.
Avoid them like the plague.
I see no point in panic, but if you aren't scared, you're misinformed.
Ben Yandell
Louisville
P.S. No symptoms is not the same as no virus.
</birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx><>
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