STATION TO PUSH PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGES AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ENTERTAINMENT FOR THOSE IN ISOLATION

In light of the escalating need for people to self-isolate and face increased lockdown measures, RRO has decided to join the fight in tackling the virus with six steps, covering two different foci.

First, the physical health needs of dealing with the virus will be covered with on air announcements and reminders regarding the need to self isolate and to wash your hands etc. We will also publish new advice and key advice posts from the Government on our website and in our groups. This will also include a series of Dee Keep Calm and listen to RRO pics on a regular basis, like the one below.

The second foci is on the mental health of our communities. Because of our flexible and distributed broadcasting approach, we are able to really step up and provide a rich source of listening material and entertainment for our listeners, friends and family.

These steps include:

1. Temporarily merging all 4 DeePlays to create a huge DEE SAYS NO TO COVID-19 autoplay, so the music is different every day of the month for those who are isolated or laid off from work, and for those communities that may be effectively locked down to 2 to 12 weeks as governments seek to put a fire break in the transmission of the virus. This will begin this weekend.

2. Do adhoc live shows at any time of day. As people do get locked down- and there will probably be a period where this happens- we have the flexibility to add adhoc shows to the day. This can be live shows incorporating existing formats or ideas for new formats, including request afternoons, breakfast rock & chat, a surprise DBRS or BRS and so on. And we're also thinking that sometimes you may want something different from just music, so we'll have Dimension X afternoons with the hefty supply of Star Wars, Star Trek, Dr Who, Sherlock Holmes and so on that we have access to. For this, we’re considering reopening the old CFRXtra channel (renamed, oddly enough RROXtra) but we’ll see what resources we can bring to make this happen.

3. Organise Virtual Coffee Mornings with videos and chat to keep everyone connected and feeling part of a community. The one we ran last year was a fun success, and this could be a great way to keep everyone's spirits up.

4. Enhance PLAYBACK. We already have a sample Playback area, so each DJ will sort out up to 10 of their favourite shows (normal formats, showcases or specials) each and put them up for listeners to go to when in need of something different. These will be added over the next few weeks, so keep going back and checking. You will find them here.

And don't forget, our normal schedule of shows will continue as planned, so you still have your favourite shows bringing you the best in rock and alternative music on an almost daily basis.

There's no doubt that COVID-19 is a serious threat to our way of doing things- in the short term. The biggest threat to our way of life is the fear it brings in its wake, and the knock on effects of long isolation. Whilst all the above is only a minor offering in the scale of things, we do believe that someone has to start somewhere in the battle against potential mental health issues and anxiety issues that the next few months will undoubtedly cause.

If any of our listeners also have ideas of what else we could do to help, we're only too happy to listen. Simply attach them to this post.

In the meantime, we wish all of you and your extended friends and family, the best of health in this difficult time. Just remember two things. This will go on for a relatively short time in your life and then pass.

Secondly. Wash your hands.

Signed: Darren & Bonnie, 21st March 2020