Covid-19
These are very strange times.
Covid-19 is flu, that can kill (well, all flus can kill, but there is no vaccine for this one, and it seems more agressive). So stay safe.
I wanted to just comment that it seems that every club you are a member of, every online account you have and every programme you see on TV is bombarding you with care advice and their policy on staying well. Its information overload and sometimes seems like a CYA exercise.
Just be sensible and do what the scientists say. Don't buy stuff you don't actually need, just in case, and do support your local businesses that can stay running but need your custom.
Feel free to comment here with any news about how it is affecting you. It gets a lot more real when someone you know gets it, but if the transmission can be limited/stopped, there is a chance of keeping enough ventilators available for the worst off.
I think people who are over 60 and have outstanding health issues [thats most older folk] have reason to be very frightened by this, the evidence from Italy suggests their older generation is being scythed down by disease.
There is according to the BBC World Service a strong link and high poulation of Chinese workers in Northern Italy in the garment clothing trade, who were possibly circulationg the infection long before it became apparant. Add in 25% of the Italian population being over 65 and you understand why its so devastating there.
A vaccine looks a fairly long way off, end of the year at the earliest so hold tight, be cautious and prepare for the worst by drawing up a will. My kids are already fighting over who gets the G-Wagen so this makes sense for me
As one of those recommended to self isolate due to age, I have nothing but contempt for the hoarders and proffiteers who have been emptying the supermarkets. Should be treated like looters in war time. Hung or shot whichever works out cheapest at the time.
Did read a facebook post from Holland which was quite good. " For those of you who now have too much tiolet paper and too much pasta. Tomorrow the butchers are selling brain".
Keep safe and don`t forget to excercise.
Today I just sat in my G and started the engine. :(
I was hoping we wouldn't go full lockdown, but it was a bit daft in the shops and unfair on the workers there (although they were getting paid! unlike many now).
Problem is that many have it with mild or no symptoms and it spreads for over a week that way. I think if we go full lockdown, all non-essential companies shut and repayments get deferred (including monthyl council tax). That way our overheads are zeroed, except for food/living. Government wouldn't need to pick up that aspect of the tab - let all the lenders do that for 12 weeks. Even landlords can freeze rent (I am one) and get their backend loans frozen too. Those in essential working get paid and also don't have the overheads, which seems fair for the risk and service.
Sadly the financial services sector has to wait for their payments, but they'll make it crashing the stock markets on the way down and then on the way up again later. Simples.
Imagine, no wages, no rent/rates/mortgage. Just living/food - we could all get by on a few hundred a month and entertain ourselves. Government could offer £3k loans, repayable after, for those with zero savings for food. It would be a lot cheaper, fairer and spread out than the current 'pay PAYE wages'
Happy Easter all.
Isolation continues. G's still on the driveway. They will get washed and polished if the weather is as nice as today, and I may venture underneath for a lube/grease point check.
What else is good to do? Rust treatment/prevention. Oil Change (I normally just let the indie do that, for the money), or some bling fitting (roof ladder?, flaps).
-j
Well the wash was very good. Took a good couple of hours and uncovers more little bits to take care of (stone chips here and there, a small crack in the windscreen and a light cluster etc.
But then I realised I forgot the roof! So from above it looks like a dusty rectangle.
I even siliconed polished the door handles to bring back the lustre, and the dash inside smells like new.
What with Covid - I was even thinking of replacing the Air Filter - but don't yet know where that is (cabin air, not engine air). On a 460, the dash vents are straight through and you can add a filter in the bonnet air intake.
But where on a 463 is the Air Con filtration?
As far as I was aware the pollen filter sits in the same place as the W460. With the A/c plumbing, I would imagine there may be room to place the filter in any case.
Alternatively, get some filter type paper and cut a sheet out to place over the vent and tape over.
Now wishing I'd cleaned and polished the G-Wagen while we had the weather! Still, the rain will stop in a few days and I'll be out there cleaning away!
Hope everyone is staying safe and well - and keeping those G Wagen ready for action when the time comes!
(PS: Just noticed I don't have a red GWOA 'member' banner - can anyone add it for it me please? Thank you)