Hi John,
You are correct that things are "heating up" closer to my locale in NE Florida. But the Florida epicenter is in the South of the state, Miami (about 7 hours to the south of my location) and other areas in the Southern third of Florida. Another epicenter is heating up in New Orleans, which is at about the same latitude, but about 8 hours to the West of my locale in NE Florida. I think that presently about 40-50% of the active cases are located in New York state, with most of those being in the city of New York.
So far, not too bad where I am located--especially since we live out in the country, but ultimately it will be everywhere. The goal at present, as I understand it, is to slow it down so that herd immunity, preparations, facilities, summertime, and treatment modalities have a chance to catch up. In the meantime, we are staying very close to home, not only because my wife and I are already in at risk groups, but because we don't want to risk getting it and infecting her 93 year old father, who lives close by and whom we help. Actually, my son, daughter-in-law and two grand-daughters are at more risk being down in Miami (where they live). However, they are also staying close to home.
In some respects, as you know from past conversations, I am also very worried about the economic side of things in the coming months. Obviously, illness and death are far more important, for us and others. However, at a personal level I think we can dodge those if we stay close. Nonetheless, like too many others in this day and age, a serious financial downturn will destroy my ability to support my family, etc. This could be a very bad year for all of us from that standpoint, though things look a bit more hopeful with some of the steps being taken by the U.S. Government to ease the burden.
But that is enough from my side of the world. How are things looking from where you're located?
Cordially,
S&S
PS--I don't think any ship that size can make port without permission to land plus pilots and tugs to bring it in. I think it sometimes takes time to prepare facilities and locales where they can make landfall and be off-loaded as everyone has to go into immediate quarantine. So, there is need to find someplace where they can be housed without infecting the "natives", a ship can dock, and medical care can be provided all in one. This can be difficult to figure out. However, I am sure they'll eventually get to come to shore.