Urgent: Club Virus Discipline

Written on .

 

It's clear that not all of us are abiding by the social distancing rules on court. It has been observed that people have gathered on the benches while changing ends or at the end of a set. THIS MUST NOT HAPPEN! The 2m rule must be observed at all times. This means changing ends at opposite sides of the court while keeping at least 2m from your partner. It might make sense to take a drink only at the end of a set. And remember to wash your hands before and after play! I have also arranged for the benches to be removed.

A number of club members have already been infected and are self-isolating. If we are to keep the club open to play we have to abide strictly by these conditions, including the new ones just announced regarding those with specified underlying health conditions.  

I am thus now announcing further restrictions on use of the club:

  • You must limit your time at the club to at most two sets or 1 hour play - this is also to prevent men from having to urinate in the bushes, which has been observed! Please go straight home after play and do not leave together with others. 
  • Guests will no longer be allowed to play - I have already disabled the 'Apply To Join' menu item so new members cannot join.

  • If you have the symptoms and have recently played please let me know and tell me whom you've played with so I can warn them. Please note that today I've read that loss of smell and taste are also symptoms. 

This virus is highly infectious. All the intensive care beds at the Royal Free are full.

  **If these rules are not observed strictly, we will be forced to close the club completely.**

Don't be the one to cause that to happen!

Message from Prof Stephen Brecker

I wanted to send you an open letter to be passed onto all members of the community, with a request that they send this to as many people as possible.  I am writing as a doctor in a front line hospital battling the greatest challenge in the history of modern healthcare.I am writing on behalf of my colleagues in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Units of hospitals nationwide. Many hospitals are just days away from being overwhelmed.  We are pleading with everyone at risk to isolate at home, and everyone else to keep as far distance as possible from others if they are not able to isolate.  We have got to break the chain of transmission.  By taking this responsibility, every person who does this will be responsible for saving lives.  The patients dying today got infected two weeks ago or more.  By taking a decision to isolate today and to distance yourself from today, you will be saving lives which will otherwise be lost in two weeks.  Please do this today, without any further delay. You may think the majority of the population are heeding Government advice - but the truth is that many are not and lives are going to be lost as a consequence.Doctors, Nurses and all health professional will stay at work but we need you to stay at home.Thank you.Professor Stephen J.D. Brecker MD FRCP FESC FACCChief of Cardiology Cardiology Clinical Academic GroupSt. George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustSt. George's, University of LondonTelephone +44-(0)20-8725-3556 St John's Wood Synagogue37-41 Grove End RoadLondon, NW8 9NGTel: 020 7286 3838Email: [email protected]