President’s Message:
As every one knows the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is upon us worldwide. Your Board of Directors recently met to discuss how this virus is impacting our upcoming 2020 International Convention, slated for May 14-17 in Findlay, Ohio. Ohio’s Governor, along with many other Federal and State Leaders and Nations, have taken precautionary measures of cancelling events and gatherings over certain numbers to minimize the growth and spreading of this potentially fatal virus.
As you know many of our members are over the age of 50 and are susceptible to contracting this virus which can be easily spread in a Convention setting from either direct or indirect contact of an infected individual(s).
The Board therefore unanimously decided to cancel this year’s Findlay Convention in keeping with local and Federal Governments directions, in the hopes of preventing further spreading of COVID-19. This decision by the MVPA Board parallels a decision by our partners for this convention, the Findlay Military Association, to cancel the 2020 Findlay Show. These were not decisions taken lightly, but after consultation with medical professionals and in view of increasing government restrictions and the uncertainty about when this virus will pass, cancellation was deemed the only viable alternative.
If you reserved tours, meals or registered vehicles for judging, please contact MVPA HQ and let us know if you prefer those funds be transferred to a tax-deductible donation to the MVPA Archives, or if you would like them to be refunded.
For those that reserved vendor or camping spots, Information will be forthcoming from Findlay Military Association about the path forward. However this is a rapidly developing situation, and we ask for your patience so that a smooth process can be developed.
As your President, I wish to personally thank both John Cheney II our Event Director, along with the Findlay Military Association and the Ohio Motor Pool who spent countless hours preparing for this major event. It is a reminder to me of the level of commitment and dedication to our hobby and the MVPA that our membership and affiliates have.
In closing, I wish everyone and their families’ good health and encourage them to take appropriate safety precautions in regards to this virus. We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2021 International Convention in South Bend, Indiana, August 11-15, 2021.
Below is a message from MVPA member Dean Kellogg, MD, Ph.D and Nancy Kellogg, MD, University of Texas Health Science Center, concerning the Coronavirus, and how it can specifically impact you through the Historic Military Vehicle hobby.
Tom Clark
President, MVPA
Coronavirus and your hobby:
In the fall of 2019, a previously unknown virus to which no human had any immunity, began to spread around the globe. This virus is now recognized as the cause of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The new virus has proven to be extraordinarily infectious resulting in a global pandemic. While 80% of infections are mild and can be treated at home, 15% of COVID-19 cases develop severe infections that require hospitalization and 5% develop critical infections, requiring admission to an intensive care unit. At present, there are no specific medical interventions to treat or prevent COVID-19, nor is it known how long the pandemic will last. Other approaches must be used to slow COVID-19 spread and thereby avoid overloading hospitals with too many patients for the available beds and to buy time for development of medical treatments (anti-viral drugs, vaccines, etc.). The most important approach to slowing COVID-19 spread will be 'social distancing' (staying away from each other) to reduce viral transmission. While it is disappointing to hear that events, parades, and gatherings such as the MVPA International Convention are being cancelled, such cancellations are critical to successful 'social distancing' to meet the challenges of COVID-19.
For our mutual good, we must adopt prudent alterations to our lifestyles so that social distancing can be fully and successfully implemented. In these uncertain and anxious times, finding productive stress relievers is a good way to cope: repaint your vehicle; bleed the brakes; rebuild your engine - and be generous with acts of altruism and kindness as you get ready for the 2021 MVPA International Convention.
When it comes to working on your vehicle, some of you may have concerns regarding mail-order parts purchases.
According to a study from Princeton that came out March 17, the COVID19 virus can survive up to three days on plastic and stainless steel, and up to 24 hours on cardboard, and up to four hours on copper surfaces. With typical transit times for parts, manuals, etc., exceeding three days, you will likely be fine, but if your items arrive quickly, you may consider waiting a couple days to unpack and install them.
Dean L. Kellogg, Jr., MD, Ph.D.
and Nancy D. Kellogg, MD
University of Texas Health Science Center
7703 Floyd Curl Dr.
San Antonio, Tx 78229
MVPA#17841
