...if only because today's counter is the most mildly interesting it's been since we left G+.
- In our first official Nature Island Minute this era: At a press briefing this evening, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit told the nation that coronavirus cases there had risen to eleven, all but one of which came from a community. Also, as the island was stepping up to curb the outbreak, Skerrit declared that Marigot's Douglas-Charles Airport would be closed except for medical purposes, effective tomorrow. More developments as we receive them later in the week.
- Thanks to the Douglas-Charles closure, Autrison was lucky enough to curate several dozen more standouts from the acetate backlog those last few days--because tonight's Amerijet cargo plane will be the last until further notice. (Autrison is the Giraudel vinyl company in the Dixwell universe; more on them and Adanson in our next Notebook.)
- As we quickly part: Not even Rogatia, the partial Sevton Saga setting I've begun revamping for the final time today, has been spared from the pandemic. Two cases were confirmed back on February 17; the third and most recent happened on March 16. Unlike a certain Congress whose leader has long remained on the local leaders' "Do Not Invite" list, the Drop was already prepared--since September 2017. While following South Korea's lead in the drive-through test circuit lately, plus the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO), they took it one step further: Though the standard 14-day quarantine is already in place for all visitors, the local airports (JCM, Nosten, Estinda, et al.) only accept "safe" passengers travelling on fully sanitised aircraft (at the request of the President, Prime Minister and the privately held Aviation Authority). Departures entered a six-week phase-off this Monday; arrivals are limited to four a day till March 27; and cargo conveyance remains unaffected. Citizens are strongly pleaded to return amid looming lockdowns, diplomatic red tape, and the like.
- In related news: All but one Rogatia movie facility--the Erwitz Drive-In in downtown Trouvaille--elected to close as well on March 17 in line with the U.S. industry. It's no surprise that A24 Antilles (the former Skouras) brought back The Farewell for one last nationwide showing at 4:00 p.m. on that date. Erwitz is currently conducting a six-week trial: Fridays and Saturdays, dusk till midnight, EC$10 per car, 100 vehicles only (first come, first served), all other fees waived, cleaned-down washrooms, repertory prints of family fare (all 35mm).
- And speaking of autos: With climate change another big issue, Rogatia is switching entirely to ethanol, biofuel, vegetable oil, and electric models by 2022. (It largely helps that they are traditionally pro-environment.)
Wish I could go on about the Drop, but great worldbuilding can't be rushed. (The stroke of midnight is approaching as I type, needless to say.) Resteems aside, see you back in a few days. Until then, please stay safe, wipe everything down, wash your hands...and God bless.
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