Drron goes viral.

[drron]

I was working in Tassie in the last 2 weeks of January and the first week of February.As well as eating a lot of cherries as usual I used the time to think of our travel.We had been looking forward to our trip beginning on 29/4.At that stage we thought it would still occur.After all we travelled OS during the SARS and Swine flu epidemics.We were looking forward to going to Japan and catch azalea,wisteria and peony festivals as well as 5 days on the lower slopes of Mt.Fuji to see the Shiba-sakura festival.The photos just look magnificent.
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Then off to the UK for another on our bucket list.The Chelsea flower Show.We even had snared tickets for the day the Queen would be present.I had also thought about the TR.I came up with the title-The Drrons go Viral.

Well that is not happening now but because of that I am now back in harness for 3 months.As I have said in other threads the need for Consultant Physicians was exploding.I had gone from 1 job offer a week to up to 8 a day.Naturally in view of the time I have spent in Tassie in the past I took up a job in Launceston.I really have to give credit to the Administration here.They rang me and talked over the risks then how I would be used.I am not going to be rostered in the dedicated Covid ward or in ED-sad as that is a great job in Launceston.

Just to give you an idea of why the number of jobs has escalated here in Launceston the Covid ward is to be staffed by 3 physicians rather than the 1 normally.They would work a week then 2 weeks quarantine.Really sensible idea.But that means the other general wards would be short and that is where I come in.
It turns out the timing was fortuitous.I could not travel on Sunday as no BNE-MEL flight would connect to the now only QF flight MEL-LST.In fact it is the only LST flight now.However tomorrow's flight (8/04 ) is going to be the last for the foreseeable future.But not only that on my first day today admissions skyrocketed as the Burnie Hospital General wards were closed on Monday with staff testing positive to Covid.On top of that at midday Launceston went into lockdown.

So over the next few weeks I will try and give an insider's view of what transpires with a few flashbacks to the last 2 visits to Tassie and this year's lead up to today.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks for getting back into the saddle, drron. Keep safe and enjoy the fruits of your off-duty lock-up.

 

[VPS]

I was working in Tassie in the last 2 weeks of January and the first week of February.As well as eating a lot of cherries as usual I used the time to think of our travel.We had been looking forward to our trip beginning on 29/4.At that stage we thought it would still occur.After all we travelled OS during the SARS and Swine flu epidemics.We were looking forward to going to Japan and catch azalea,wisteria and peony festivals as well as 5 days on the lower slopes of Mt.Fuji to see the Shiba-sakura festival.The photos just look magnificent.
View attachment 212496.

Then off to the UK for another on our bucket list.The Chelsea flower Show.We even had snared tickets for the day the Queen would be present.I had also thought about the TR.I came up with the title-The Drrons go Viral.

Well that is not happening now but because of that I am now back in harness for 3 months.As I have said in other threads the need for Consultant Physicians was exploding.I had gone from 1 job offer a week to up to 8 a day.Naturally in view of the time I have spent in Tassie in the past I took up a job in Launceston.I really have to give credit to the Administration here.They rang me and talked over the risks then how I would be used.I am not going to be rostered in the dedicated Covid ward or in ED-sad as that is a great job in Launceston.

Just to give you an idea of why the number of jobs has escalated here in Launceston the Covid ward is to be staffed by 3 physicians rather than the 1 normally.They would work a week then 2 weeks quarantine.Really sensible idea.But that means the other general wards would be short and that is where I come in.
It turns out the timing was fortuitous.I could not travel on Sunday as no BNE-MEL flight would connect to the now only QF flight MEL-LST.In fact it is the only LST flight now.However tomorrow's flight (8/04 ) is going to be the last for the foreseeable future.But not only that on my first day today admissions skyrocketed as the Burnie Hospital General wards were closed on Monday with staff testing positive to Covid.On top of that at midday Launceston went into lockdown.

So over the next few weeks I will try and give an insider's view of what transpires with a few flashbacks to the last 2 visits to Tassie and this year's lead up to today.

Stay safe and thanks for getting back into the saddle.

 

[tgh]

A dissenting view… who is caring for the lady who loves to shop ???

 

[DC3]

A dissenting view… who is caring for the lady who loves to shop ???

Maybe the lady could be locked up, if there was an issue, and then provided with a duty of care.

Anyhow, going a bit OT here.

Edited

 

[RooFlyer]

A dissenting view… who is caring for the lady who loves to shop ???

Supremely confident of the generosity of his Tasmanian hosts, drron has left all his credit cards behind at home. I believe the internet is connected there ...

 

[drron]

A dissenting view… who is caring for the lady who loves to shop ???

You are quite right tgh.When I accepted the job mrsdrron could come down and self isolate in the apartment I have.A couple of days later it changed so if she came down it would be mandatory quarantine in a hotel and we wouldn't be able to see each other.So it is very hard on her and she is paying a big price for me being here.

 

[RooFlyer]

You are quite right tgh.When I accepted the job mrsdrron could come down and self isolate in the apartment I have.A couple of days later it changed so if she came down it would be mandatory quarantine in a hotel and we wouldn't be able to see each other.So it is very hard on her and she is paying a big price for me being here.

I hope you didn't mind me making light of it above ...

 

[k_sheep]

Do me let me know if the Mrs needs supplies here at home!

Being high risk I'm no good for company but can drop groceries or essentials off - you know, like, gin, handbags and such.

 

[OATEK]

You are going above and beyond considering the risks and your propensity to set off alarm bells (all those bits of metal inside). We know you will make a vital contribution and all wish you good health - keep as safe as you can.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

The title should read " Drron goes viral. AND mrs.dr.ron goes crazy !! "

Home alone for a very long time I think. I cant see me getting down to Tassie or anywhere else in the forseeable future. I think the lockdown will be longer than we all think ATM. But I have a very long list of jobs to do around the house - just NO motivation to do them. I could rearrange the handbag cupboard or start knitting the huge wool stash out of the camphor chest but at the moment it is sitting on the lounge eating Lindt and watching telly.

 

[Major]

I think you will be there for months, not weeks.

looking forward to your views.

 

[drron]

Well back to this.First a bit of background to this appointment.I was originally going to be working in Gympie.However fortunately they were overcome by an inordinate case of bureaucracy.They actually wanted a JP witnessed copy of my original degree and RACP Fellowship cerificate.Boy I had just been to my 50th anniversary of graduation and became a fellow of the RACP 43 years ago.Did they think I had fooled everyone about my qualifications that long?

Then fate came knocking on the day that they demanded that evidence.My gastroenterologist rang to say that elective admissions were to be finished 6 days away.Now I had an appointment at the end of April for a 6 monthly colonoscopy as I had had a very large polyp removed in October.No hesitation in accepting the proceedure being done the day before the ban came into place but that would have been my second day at Gympie-so I cancelled that.

The next day was offered a position in Tasmania.Now it could have been at Launceston or Burnie.Fortunately the medical admin from Launceston rang me the next day saying they would really like me there and promised as much as was possible to keep me away from Covid patients.I accepted.Now if I had gone to Burnie-well it would have been disaster.

The problem though was when I had accepted mrsdrron would have been able to come to Tassie just to isolate in the accommodation-not a great problem as the restaurants were takeaway and delivery.A week later that option disappeared.

The next problem was that I now had to apply for a Tassie "visa".However I could only do that online between 24-72 hours before arrival.Now originally I was booked to fly out on Sunday 5th on QF.Now they had an early morning flight that would have connected with the daily MEL-LST flight.They changed the timing 3 times before finally cancelling on the Wednesday night.So back to the drawing board.

Launceston didn't want me to overnight at MEL so I ended up booking the VA early flight BNE-MEL on the Monday-no flight on Sunday.However whilst I was attempting to check in online on Sunday the message came up-flight cancelled.Fortunately turned out to be wrong.there was however no online checkin with VA.I could still checkin online with QF.

The other problem was there was only 40 minutes between the VA flight arriving in MEL and the QF flight leaving.So a quick pack of my bag and arranged for it to be taken by courier to the LGH.Picked up on Friday morning.

 

[OATEK]

With Burnie a bit of a hot spot, I imagine Mrsdrron is "happier" you are in Launceston.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Good you are in the south.

Two hospitals closed in Tasmania as Australia’s coronavirus deaths reach 59

Two hospitals will close and more than 1,000 people will be placed into quarantine in Tasmania, as the national coronavirus death toll rises to 59.

www.sbs.com.au

 

[drron]

So Monday morning came.Unsure of how much traffic would be on the road and I had to check in.Left home at 0545.Traffic was lighter than usual but still a lot.But a truck had broken down just south of the North Lakes shopping area so spent 30 minutes in stop/start driving.Still arrived a bit after 0700.Absolutely no passengers at the VA checkin but 5 staff.I was sequence 0001.
Through security.The VA security has a body scanner so only belt off.Waiting for my bag to come through and noticed the secondary screener getting ready.However having lost 16 Kg and without a belt my trousers started falling so he put his little wand away.

Up to the terminal.Wow.
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Not that many planes at gates.
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A few parked.
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Out to a far gate-41.Slowly others joined me.Everyone was practising social distancing.Only 30 pax.3 mothers with infants,a couple with 2 toddlers and 2 unaccompanied children with an FA.Everyone was at least 5 metres apart.A few with masks.Though most not on properly and many masks being touched and pulled down to touch face.Hmmm.

So we pushed back 5 minutes early.Taxied out and straight off.Good views as we left and headed west first.
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[drron]

Soon after take off refreshments were served-a plastic cup into which water was poured from a large bottle.followed by a small oats and fig bar.Was an 0850 departure.
As is usual close to any city is a quarry.
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Then flew over the south west suburbs,the Lockyer Valley and the Range.
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[drron]

It remained clear until we got to southern NSW.But I was doing the Soduku in the VA magazine though I often jus nodded off until a scream from one of the toddlers woke me up.
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It then became cloudy but started to break up as we approached MEL.
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Then the quarry.
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We arrived 15 minutes early.Passed the QF A380s,a gaggle of VA tails and what is left of International traffic.
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[drron]

As we pulled into the gate there were several police and security personnel on the tarmac.
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Off quickly.Surprisingly on the way out the Surf,Dive and Ski shop was open.couldn't be doing much business.
Then the walk to the QF terminal.Didn't look normal.
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Again no one else at security.Wanded as usual.There was a cafe and Hungry Jacks open.So I had an Angus and chorizo burger.Then didn't look at the boards and headed to the usual gates for the Dash 8s.But it was locked.The LST was going from Gate 4.So back to the other side of the terminal.Boarding commenced at 1140 and by 1150 we were pushing back-10 minutes early.I tried to board last but one woman was obviously more determined than I.However my BP gave a beep when scanned.Now no J on a Dash 8 and I was already in 3D-about the best a BA gold can do.But no AJ had had an argument with that Alec fellow at BA it seems as my new BP was for 17A.That was 3 rows behind any of the other 13 pax.Once again a couple with 2 toddlers.No attempts at sleep as they screamed virtually the whole way.

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[drron]

Leaving MEL.
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Then into the clouds.Catering a little better than the VA flight with the QF small bottle of water and a chocolate and nut cookie from the Byron Bay company.
Then as we descended beneath most of the clouds Tassie comes into view.
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We flew over the Tamar river so I had a view of the east side.
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That is probably the Hillwood berry farm.I guess no business ATM.
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