Australia has taken extensive action with travel bans, quarantine and self isolation requirements in order to limit the spread within Australia of the Coronavirus. However as we are now seeing cases in Australia the government and health officials have started to strongly advise that Australians need to take this threat seriously and act accordingly. Although for many people the Coronavirus poses no or very little threat the most vulnerable in our community face a serious threat from it.
There is a lot we don’t know and this situation is still evolving very quickly. The dojo has always been a community were everyone supports each other however they can. It is during difficult times that having a community to support you and to feel part of is more important than ever. It is frightening to see what has happened in other places and then to see Australians fighting over toilet paper. I don’t know what challenges we are going to face during these difficult times but I do know that if we work together and support each other we will be far better off. If you have concerns, you have problems we may not be aware of then let me know.
There may be vulnerable people within our community who may need extra help in the time ahead, lets make our goal to help everyone through what may be a difficult time, perhaps very difficult for some. If you need help for some reason let me know, let’s be a community helping each other, not individuals taking all we can for ourselves. Let’s practice compassion, support those who need it, protect the vulnerable and feel good about our own actions and the people around us. It might be as simple as being quarantined and needing someone to pick up supplies for you and your family.
If you need help I will do what I can to help or coordinate others to help.
So yes, I understand for most people the Coronavirus won’t be more serious than the flu and parents should be especially relieved that children have very little symptoms at all. But I also understand we have vulnerable people who can not be immunized against it like they can be for the flu. So I encourage everyone to follow the government and health official advice.
Practicing good hygiene is wise at any time and the advise is really just to do what people should be doing anyway. However making a conscious effort is required right now to ensure we are doing our part.
Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser after you arrive at the dojo before training. (THIS CAN’T HAPPEN UNTIL I CAN GET HAND SANITISER!!!)
Avoid coughing or sneezing on others. If you need to cough or sneeze during training cough or sneeze into your elbow.
Let’s practice this during training, remain focused and conscious of your actions at all times. This is an exercise in self discipline.
If you have a cold or flue you should stay home.
There are a number of circumstances were people are being required to self isolate. If you find yourself in one of these categories you will need to stop training for this period of time as well.
The fitter and stronger you are, the stronger your immune system the better you will cope with not only Coronavirus but any illness or inury.
Hope for the best, don’t worry about what you can’t change but prepare for the worst.
Osu Shihan Malcolm.