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I don't detect hysteria on this thread, only reasonable concern.

Agree, I’m quite unauthentic in this regard, but I have not made definitive statements regarding the situation, only comments about potential outcomes, ( although former work experience regarding infection spread and control might provide me with a smidgeon more insight than your good-self’s holiday experiences)

It is disappointing to note that the potential impact of this viral infection, on individuals, local/national communities or on a global scale is so arrogantly dismissed. Anyway, whether it evolves into a pandemic, or not, there will be a beneficial learning curve for future reference.

I think that assessment of this thread is a wee bit unfair. The concerns are not simply about the mortality rate associated with 2019nCoV but more the impact of widespread morbidity on essential services and business. This is an unknown, and is an interesting and important topic for discussion, as are the measures which might be taken to control the spread. And I have not noted much in the way of fake news on here, except, maybe, the determination of one or two to make uninformed ‘off the cuff’ comparisons with seasonal flu.

You ommited cruise ships from your list.

Sunny, if chilly and bracing here this afternoon; the snow showers just never penetrated far enough east to affect my location. A couple of pics, snapped at the same view point, from a walk this afternoon to illustrate; View to the N/NW View N/NE

09.00 and it’s still very dark overhead; steady moderate rain, twigs and leaves stock still; eerily calm with not a hint of wind..yet.

Well, although I have not been up there in the past 5 yrs or so, I did notice at that time quite a change in building, much more to the Scandinavian style. The problem is, Shetland does not have home-grown wood.

Pardon!! When did you last visit the area, if indeed anytime.

Pardon 1 !!

Granted, Shetland has few trees, but it is dependent on ferries for basic supplies and inter- island communication, personal safety too. My point was that severe weather conditions from an individual point of view have effects, whether in the far south london or the attached provinces.

I don't know met office policy regarding warnings, but I would comment that a forecast damaging gale impacts as much on an individual in Lerwick as it does in London.

SWT Montrose this afternoon. A Kingfisher and Little Egret showed well, but couple of poor distant shots taken through glass at the visitor centre.

A chilly, frosty and foggy start to the day. The frost cleared quickly but the stratus never quite lifted . Salt marsh ponds at Montrose Basin this afternoon.

Of course, playing devil's advocate here, is that his concern and interest might have led him to be over-exposed to the virus. Actually, being an ophthalmologist might have made him more vulnerable. He is not the first 'younger' person to succumb to the virus. Until more is known about this scenario and the ultimate consequences, my view is that conspiracy theories should be laid to rest and support should be given to China, who, after all, are having to deal with this epidemic.

I edited the post - misposted a pic above, I think. ? goldeneye (f)

Spent a pleasant quiet afternoon at SWT Balgavies. The Loch The omnipresent A buzzard surveying the scene was joined by another Not sure about the ID of these ducks Goosander??Goldeneye ? Red-breasted Merganser And a little chap who kept me company in the hide.

Well, I certainly wouldn't mind a dose of heat at present, but in the wider scheme of things it's all quite concerning? January 2020 warmest on record: EU climate service PHYS.ORG Last month was the warmest January on record globally, while in Europe temperatures were a balmy three degrees Celsius above the average January from...

Still, frosty morning and a nice sunrise.

I'm just keeping a low profile for the time being, with an eye on the charts and fingers crossed. It was actually quite nice here today, after the early morning, tile-rattling wind dropped.

Lol. Ditto. The head was cooked up in an ancient, rather scary-looking pressure cooker.

Well, yes, and of course most will be shocked at the appalling cruelty of Asian live markets. But the point I was attempting to make is, before rushing to pass judgement on other cultures, some consideration might be given to our ‘sophisticated’ attitude regarding animal welfare.

Still a 'husbandry' question though ?

Before we get too self- congratulatory....where did BSE originate?

Sounds great. I did something similar, excluding the hazel, where I used to live - though a professional gardener did all the hard work! A neighbouring farmer was very encouraging and helpful as well, by tipping over loads of wood chippings into the garden in order to keep the weeds down in the border. Spreading that was hard work. I remember youngest grandson, 3 yrs at the time, arriving for a w/e stay and commenting as we arrived, ' Grandma, you've got a new mountain in your garden'