How do the members of the Antarctic base where the new coronavirus does not reach feel the pandemic?


by

Christopher Michel

The pandemic of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is disrupting the world, but the new coronavirus has not reached the Antarctic continent, which is isolated from the outside world. Nonetheless, members of the Antarctic base understand how the world is under the pressure of COVID-19, and they talk about their feelings and impacts of COVID-19.

Exclusive: How Scientists in Antarctica Are Living Untouched by The Global Pandemic
https://www.sciencealert.com/hunkering-down-for-an-antarctic-winter-during-covid-19



Davis Station on the Ingrid Christensen coast of Antarctica is an observation station managed by the Australian Antarctic Bureau . Twenty-four Australians and New Zealanders are staying here, as usual, working on atmospheric observations, installing cameras to capture seabirds, and repairing the base.

Information on the COVID-19 pandemic has arrived at Antarctica's base, and David Noff, leader of the Davis Station, commented, 'It's a worrying time for all of us in Antarctica.' In the South Pole, which is far away from Australia and New Zealand, it is impossible to know the detailed facts about how the home life is like.

COVID-19 is affecting space development projects as well, with the International Space Station (ISS) 63rd Extended Stay Crew , Chris Cassidy, Anatoli Ivanishin, and Ivan Vagner, working in April 2020. It had to be quarantined from March before the launch. It is said that not only the astronauts were isolated, but also the staff who contacted the astronauts before boarding.


by

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center

At Davis Station, there has been no external contact since the summer team left Antarctica in mid-February 2020. 'When we left Australia in October, no one had heard of COVID-19.' 'Equipped with one doctor but only a small medical set here With that in mind, the epidemic of COVID-19 within a station would be catastrophic, 'said Mr. Noff.

The impact of COVID-19 in its native Australia and New Zealand has been a source of concern for its members. “Everyone can happily return home, usually, but now COVID-19 has left many people out of work, forced them to quarantine their homes, and cannot travel. I'm worried about changing my lifestyle or dramatically changing my lifestyle to stay safe. '

At the time of writing the article, 70 bases were active throughout Antarctica, and about 1000 members remained in Antarctica during the winter. There are four Antarctic bases managed by the Australian Antarctic Department, including Davis Station, and a total of 89 members are still active at the base. The Davis Station has movies, biscuits, and Wi-Fi communication facilities, so the members are looking forward to it.


by Ronald Woan

'The impact of COVID-19 on Antarctic base scientific research will probably be felt most strongly next summer,' said Dan Dyer, a senior scientist staying at Davis Station. Failure to bring some of the originally planned scientists and research equipment to the Antarctic base could postpone or reduce many scientific research projects planned for next summer. Mr. Dyer feels sad about how many years of effort will be affected by a situation that no one can control.

Noff and his team will stay at Davis Station over the next few months, but the base will also have two years of food stock in case something goes wrong. 'At this time, we are planning to return to Australia in the summer of 2020. Of course, in the coming months, it could be affected by international travel, shipping and aviation,' said Mr. Noff.

In addition, the 61st wintering corps of Japan has also stayed at Showa base since departing Japan in November 2019. It is scheduled to return to Japan in March 2021, and it is said that medical facilities such as two doctors, a respirator, and an X-ray device are in place.

New corona infectious disease: Is the 'Antarctic' observation team OK? -I asked the Institute of Polar Research (Masahiko Ishida)-Individual-Yahoo! News
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/byline/ishidamasahiko/20200410-00172399/



in Note, Posted by log1h_ik