Undercurrent Online Update for Subscribers

For David Denson Whiteside (with username 'dwhitesi', exp: 2024-08-20, at dwhite95815@hotmail.com )

April 22, 2020

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It’s an Ill Wind that Blows Nobody Any Good

A collection of crocodiles took over sunbathing on a Mexican beach after it was closed to regular sunbathers thanks to the Coronavirus lock-down. The photo was taken by a local photographer in March near the village of La Ventanilla, Oaxaca.

Covid-19 Harms Divers Lungs

Divers who suffered from Covid-19 disease may never be able to dive again, says senior physician Frank Hartig at the Innsbruck University Clinic in Austria. (RAINews.IT) The clinic has treated dozens of corona virus sufferers including six active divers, none of whom had to be treated in hospital, but cured themselves in home quarantine and are considered recovered. But, “the damage to the lungs is irreversible,” said Hartig. “After a Covid-19 infection, even if you have only mild symptoms, you should definitely have a dive doctor examine you thoroughly, even if you still have an upright medical examination.” Undercurrent will provide the complete article in the upcoming May issue.

Was Your Dive Trip Cancelled Due to the Corona Virus?

If so, let us know how you handled it and any problems that developed. We want to hear your stories. Write us at BenDEditor@undercurrent.org not forgetting to add your town and state.

The Planet Recovers

Reports are coming in of Mother Nature taking advantage of the loss of human activity, with underwater photographer Doug Perrine, reporting from Kukio Beach in Hawaii, saying that it’s like going back 50 years in time. In India, 70,000 Olive Ridley turtles took advantage of deserted beaches to storm the Odisha Rookery to mass nest in broad daylight. Weirdly, a beach in Wales, has seen dozens of octopuses walking on to the shore for no apparent reason. Scientists opine that because of a shortage of predators in the ocean, the population has increased beyond a manageable size making some attempt to escape overcrowding by leaving the water.

Expect Higher Air Fares When It’s Over

As the aviation industry looks to the future after the near-total grounding of its passenger aircraft, airlines are expecting higher costs that will inevitably be passed on to passengers. The director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that with governments imposing strict rules intended to reduce the spread of the virus, meaning that aircraft will have to carry fewer passengers as loading is de-densified, they are specifying the number and position of seats that must remain unoccupied. As for using mileage awards, those days may be doomed.

Bali’s Inexplicable Immunity

With only 86 cases and two deaths, both of foreigner (as of April 14), Bali somehow appears to be escaping Covid-19, despite the rest of Indonesia enduring around 5,000 cases, mainly on Java. However, health workers are having to deal with an outbreak of dengue fever, which has been responsible for in excess of 2,000 cases around Ubud alone. Symptoms can be similar to Covid-19.

Tell Undercurrent About Your Plans

We’ve all had to put our lives on hold to one degree or another. We’d like to hear about your plans for the future, once the travel ban is lifted. What precautions will you take on your next trip that you didn’t take before? We’ve already contacted many dive businesses to find out how they are coping in the meantime. If you run such a business in a remote place, write and tell us how you are coping. Write to BenDEditor@undercurrent.org not forgetting to say the town and state where you write from.

We Still Want to Read Your Trip Reports

You may not be traveling anywhere soon, but Undercurrent readers still appreciate your trip reports, and now’s the time to reflect on where you went before the Coronavirus crisis and get it recorded in our database. Your reports are invaluable. They join more than 10,000 others archived. Plus, you can add pictures if you wish. So, now’s the time to file a report of your last dive trips at: www.undercurrent.org/SubRR

Thanks for being a loyal subscriber.

Ben Davison, editor/publisher
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