The podcast is later than usual today as my Internet connection is slower than normal. The blessed rain is still falling in Israel, more than we have had in years.

The Prime Minister has just addressed the nation and we are in “lock down”. The draw bridges are up and any one arriving goes into 14 days of quarantine. No groups larger than 10 people, maintain a two meter distance, all schools, theaters, restaurants, hotels, and social events are closed until further notice.

We are doing a lot of hand washing.

I understand what the government is doing – trying to slow the use of medical facilities and personnel in order to manage this crisis. I am fortunate that I can work from home and that the places I need to go have few people. The XYL is a high school teacher. She along with her fellow teachers are going to meet students on Zoom and Google Classroom. Her students built a phone tree so that they will be in touch with every kid, every day.

My Great American Songbook concert is “postponed” unless I can figure a way to get the group together, with 6 feet between us, and make a livestream available on the Internet. Everyone is home watching Netflix or operating ham radio, so there might be a chance to still make a successful concert.

My pipeline of interviews ran out this week, so I am re-running Episode 80 with Michael Rainey, AA1TJ. This episode was over four years ago. Michael was the ham who caught my attention with his YouTube video of his sound powered QRP transmitter on 80 meters. Ben and I remastered the audio, so this QSO with Mike should sound better than the original.

My pipeline is beginning to fill again with new interviews beginning next week. In the meantime, if you can; stay home, wash your hands a lot, listen to lots of podcasts, and do ham radio. G-d willing we will all be here for Episode 400. I pray that we all have a speedy recovery.

Thanks for listening.