Table of Contents

• Flag Sends
• Comings & Goings
• April Reports
• Intel Agents Needed
• Charity Tracking
• 1SL’s Youtube Channel
• TRMN & COVID-19
• Wound Stripe Variance
• Blood Donation Tracking
• Upcoming Events
• March Honors – Awards
• March Honors – Promotions
• Fleet Contacts
• Order of Battle
• Echelon Command Contacts

Flag Sends

I have rewritten this mentally about a dozen times, and actually rewritten it twice. But things kept changing too quickly, and as soon as I thought I had this nailed down, it was no longer a valid article.

But there needs to be a statement of some kind from Fleet, and since that’s me, here goes…

••••

We live in a challenging time. It’s far from unprecedented, since, as many people like to remind us, we just did this dance a century back. That doesn’t make the COVID-19 pandemic less stressful or difficult.

In the language of our fandom, this is our Test, and it is up to us, singly and collectively, to meet that Test.

I put out a video asking everyone to update their MEDUSA info, so local COs and higher can get in touch if we need – a sort of wellness check. In that video I said something that bears repeating. I know your quality, and I know we, as a Fleet, can handle this challenge. I have faith in you all, and look forward to seeing you in person once this is over.

Until then, I wanted to get some points out that I believe matter, and might help with the stress of the situation.

First, it is important to understand that if these isolation orders, closures, and stay-home decrees work, it will look like a wild overreaction. It’s kind of annoying that way. In other words, if this all works, it will look like nothing happened because nothing…happened.

Here’s hoping that once this is over, it looks like a stupid overreaction.

Second, the reason to honor these restrictions isn’t your health, it’s the person next to you, the person you see in the hall of your building, the person at the shop. You (I) may feel that this isn’t going to be a big deal, even if we get it, but the way this virus progresses means that we put others at risk when we disregard proper behavior. Honor the stay-at-home orders for your grandparents, your older friends, etc…we all have someone who would be a an elevated risk from COVID-19 in our lives, do this to keep them safe.

I want to also talk some about personal protection. Knowing what does and doesn’t work is vital. Understanding terminology for those of us not in or close to the medical field is also important.

Is hand washing really that effective? Yup! It’s kind of fascinating, really. Without getting too technical (mostly because I am distilling a distilled version), viruses self-assemble, with a lipid sheath around the RNA payload. The coronas are proteins. Since the virus is self-assembled, it lacks strong bonds between the parts. Soap acts like a laser warhead hitting a rowboat – it just plows through the lipid sheath, and the entire thing falls apart. The 20 second count is there to give time for the soap to reach everywhere. And any soap works. Literally. Dish soap, hand soap, shampoo, whatever. It doesn’t need to be antibacterial, since we’re dealing with a virus, not a bacteria. While that won’t hurt, it really doesn’t do anything against the virus. For a lot more, see this thread: https://twitter.com/PalliThordarson/status/1236549305189597189 Dr. Thordarson is the Director of Research in the School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales.

But what about hand sanitizer? It works too, as long as the alcohol content is high enough. And that means 60-80% ethanol. Soap works better overall. So, if your local store is out of sanitizer, I bet they still have soap, and that’s the best way to wipe out any virus particles on your skin.

Are face masks needed? Yes, but also no. If you think you are sick, any kind of surgical or dust mask will capture the water droplets on the inside, and help keep you from spreading the virus. Only an N95 mask will prevent you from inhaling the particles. So when you see people in a mask, be grateful for their intent, while being reassured that if they happen to be infected, they are protecting you.

Some other things need to be cleared up too.

• Hording is bad, and you shouldn’t do it. While this isn’t a real navy, and I can’t do anything if you do, remember to act with honor, and only purchase what you reasonably need. Don’t beclown yourself by buying a year’s worth of toilet paper or whatever. Seriously. I assume you all know this, but I need to say it for my own mental issues.
• Please find and listen to primary sources, experts, and not pundits or journalists. They are out there, and the information from experts in the field is, while not always perfect, always better informed than from others.
• Under no circumstances should you promote rumors or false information. If there is something you hear that sounds at all off, or even unusual, please verify it before spreading it – your words can have untold impact on others, especially now. If your state has stay-home orders, you can find the exact facts on the state’s website. Read them.
• As an add-on to that, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you can’t find something to verify. I will gladly search for info for you! And others will too. Don’t stress over information you get told – there are many people waiting to help!

Now, what won’t cause you to be at risk for COVID-19?

• Chinese food
• People of Chinese descent
• People of any specific descent, actually
• Being outside
• Kindness
• Corona beer
• The corona of the sun…just no staring!

Here is the bottom line. COVID-19 is bad, And the constant flow of bad news regarding it is almost worse. Now is a great time to consider social media distancing as well. We are just not designed to handle the endless influx of bad news, or any news really. We need time to process. If you can’t disconnect fully, please limit your time, and remember that people are scared. HP Lovecraft rightly said that the greatest emotion of mankind is fear, and the greatest fear is fear of the unknown. This is the unknown come to…well…not exactly life. But close enough.

The bottom line is to be careful and informed. If you are at a convention, be aware of what is happening around you (always a good idea), and be accepting if no one is close enough to hug it out. If you are concerned about your health – either fear you have something or fear of catching – stay home. I speak for us all when I say I would far, far rather not have us at a convention than in medical quarantine. Or worse.

I am also keeping an eye on what is and isn’t being canceled. Hopefully, by the time our big conventions roll around, this will be over – or contained – and we won’t need to worry. Remember, the ConComs have to protect everyone, and a canceled convention isn’t the end of the world.

Keep in touch with each other – we have great channels of communication – and let someone know if you are concerned about yourself or someone else.

Lastly, I want to offer a bit of long-view perspective.

You, the person reading this, the person next to them, and everyone you know, comes from a line of people who didn’t quit. Your ancestors dealt with far worse than this, and survived. And that lives in you as well. We face an unpleasant and unwelcome challenge. We, however, are the descendants of survivors, and we will triumph as well.

Keep positive, as much as you can, and remember that it’s ok to not be ok. In trying times, feeling off is normal. However you are feeling is normal too. We all deal with this differently, so don’t expect to be the same as the next person.

Be well, and stay safe.

Comings & Goings

Naval Directive 20FE-03

RADM New Hastings, you are directed and required to assume command of the Bureau of Planning, relieving VADM New Essex, RADM, and taking on the title of Second Space Lord of the Royal Manticoran Navy.

Congratulations to RADM Cheryl Krause, Baroness New Hastings on the elevation!

••••

Bureau of Planning Directive 2003-01

Effective 1 March, 2020, Department of Marketing, Branding and Art within the Bureau of Planning is responsible for all artwork and marketing materials that support the TRMN brand including The Royal Manticoran Navy and all affiliated groups and subgroups.

Welcome to Vice Admiral of the Red Lady Dame Diane Bulkeley, KDE, KCR, MC, Baroness New Essex, the inagural Director, and Commodore Sir Zach White, KDE, KCR, MC as Deputy Director.

••••

There is a new digital AAR report available for your use after any event or convention. Once we do those again, of course! It can be accessed here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/TheRoyalManticoranNavy/TRMNAfterActionReport

••••

Naval Directive 20MA-01

As of 0001 hours, March 23, 2020, Commodore David Misener is appointed to the position of Fifth Space Lord, with all rights and responsibilities associated with that role.

Congratulations on your new role!

Fleet events listed in bold. Admiralty in bold-italic.

Events canceled due to restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 are crossed out – many will need you to attend next year to keep going! Please consider buying memberships, or refusing refunds, when you are able.

Please send all events to co@gryphonfleet.org, and reference Upcoming Event: in the subject line!