Oh well... there goes that. Maybe we can have a zoom meeting on Tuesday to
discuss existentialism and the Gettier problem as it relates to Wind Ensembles?
Seriously, though. I believe this means that we suspend activities in
accordance to our policy. Yes?
RL
On Thursday, January 6, 2022, 11:31:43 AM CST, Michael Bell
<mikekb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
As of today Austin is at Stage 5.
https://www.austintexas.gov/page/covid-19-risk-based-guidelines
Mike
On Thu, Jan 6, 2022 at 11:22 AM Robert Laguna <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
My dear friends,
I've read all the concerns very carefully before chiming in with my $0.02
because (for whatever reason) I know that sometimes my opinion as
conductor/music director may somehow have more weight than others'. As you read
my email, I ask that you take it on face value without judgement or being
suggestive of an authoritative outcome. You are my friends and I deeply respect
and love each of you.
I started preparing my response by taking each point (pro and con) and
presenting a counterargument for them with the hope that this method would
bring us closer to a clear decision. After a few hours I realized that this
approach was futile. Every major point raised presents a moving target that has
an equally relevant counter. This is extremely frustrating and the stakes are
high. No wonder we're here now. On the positive side, it shows that we're
deeply vested in each other's well-being and safety.
Seeking guidance through meditation and prayer, I was reminded of this quote by
Richard Bach (not related to J.S. Bach): “Your conscience is the measure of the
honesty of your selfishness. Listen to it carefully.”
I could go on explaining the insights gained on my exploration of
existentialism and how it relates to the Gettier problem but by now, if you're
not asleep, you will be soon. So I think I will spare you the diatribe and get
on with my summary and suggestion:
I believe that the difference between January 4 and January 5 is not enough for
me to change my mind when weighing the risks and benefits of meeting to make
music. I can understand why those who do not participate in music at this level
cannot see how essential this activity is to some of us. So be it. When it
comes to it the decision is as personal as any these days (do I show up to
work? do I go to HEB? do I get in my car with others? do I get in a plane? go
on a cruise?).
So here's my suggestion: Those who still wish to meet on Tuesday at the regular
time can meet with me. In the event that I need to get the music, I can
coordinate a time and place to do so. Folks should bring their instruments. If
there are enough instruments, we will sight read the program. If not, we will
have a listening session where I will play the pieces while reading the parts
and we can talk them through. Either way, folks need to decide whether the risk
is worth taking according to their own situation. Nothing required, no
judgement.
If (and when) we go to Stage 5, all bets are off and we cancel again.
Tom, I don't think that this would require a vote since it is in line with what
we decided on Tuesday, but I will leave that to you. Whether we move forward,
postpone, or cancel, do you think that a clarification statement needs to go
out to the ensemble?
All - Once more, thank you all for everything that you do for the ensemble.
Robert
On Wednesday, January 5, 2022, 09:44:31 PM CST, Jessica Johnson
<jessica.a.johnson@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I can see the point about polling not being necessary or beneficial at this
juncture. Honestly, the main reason I recommended it was to just buy us some
time to process this decision a bit more, especially in light of the
information Jimmy shared and the massive increase in cases that Warren just
mentioned.
I talked with a good friend who works full time at a hospital in Austin (not
the same one I’m at). He genuinely thought I was joking when I told him about
the plans to start this Tuesday. That’s why I’m concerned about this. Along
with:
-Short-staffing due to RNs, PTs, techs, etc having left the field over the past
year
-Short-staffing due to COVID+ personnel
-Even if a patient is hospitalized for say, a broken bone, and they are found
to be asymptomatic COVID, the staff still have to take extraordinary caution to
not spread it to their next pt.
-Omicron is spreading so rapidly that there is a good chance (not a guarantee,
but a good chance) that this wave will burn out more quickly than others,
meaning that postponing wouldn’t be a months long delay like it’s been for us
in the past.
-***No one is more tired of this damn pandemic than hospital staff.***
I’m not sharing this to guilt trip anyone. It’d just feel shady(?) if I didn’t.
Jessica
On Jan 5, 2022, 8:32 PM -0600, Warren Gill <mymaestro@xxxxxxxxx>, wrote:
First, I agree a poll at this time is not going to change anything, and would
not be helpful in making a decision. For those and other reasons Tom brings,
polling won't work.Two things changed my outlook, since last night.1) Advice
from a trusted professional (other groups also not rehearsing, and cases
hitting "close to home")2) A look at the latest stats. 1250 new cases TODAY
will probably tip the scale to move into Stage 5 (another source shows 2,310
new cases but 0 yesterday (hmm)https://g.co/kgs/obRjzq
https://austin.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/39e4f8d4acb0433baae6d15a931fa9843)
My gut feel is this will pass quickly, with the new variant being very
contagious but not loading the hospitals as deeply.
On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 7:51 PM Thomas Hensle <tomhensle@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Team,
My first question is: what has changed since last night? I don't think that
circumstances have shifted significantly since our meeting. We touched on the
possibility of postponement, but no one expressed interest in it or pushed for
further discussion of it that I recall.
I don't really like the idea of another poll. It feels like a punt of
responsibility after we've already discussed and made the decision. If we
really do want to postpone, we can decide to do so without a poll.
Part of our decision was acknowledging that band members are capable of
deciding what risk they will tolerate in the current era of Covid. This is
somewhat of a shift from our earlier pandemic reasons for postponement when
there was less information and no vaccines and/or boosters. Would a poll save
us a wasted hour if only 12 people show up next Tuesday? Yes. But is that
really a wasted hour at this point, given the framework for how we came to our
decision last night?
I do think we should be flexible enough as a board to change our collective
mind and re-vote on a decision we made if the need arises and/or we get new
information. My opinion is that we do not need to in this case.
We should continue this discussion relatively quickly so that we can inform the
band of what is to come.
Thanks,
Tom
On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 6:21 PM Marc Frazier <marcdfrazier@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Polling wouldn’t hurt anything.
Short delays might be easier for everyone to stomach than on again-off again.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 5, 2022, at 5:12 PM, Jessica Johnson <jessica.a.johnson@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I support the idea of polling the membership to see if we should postpone
starting rehearsals for 2-3 weeks.
JessicaOn Jan 5, 2022, 4:48 PM -0600, Caroline Soper
<caroline.m.soper@xxxxxxxxx>, wrote:
I'm thinking it might be best to postpone 2-3 weeks atleast with the latest
surges going on after the holidays. That would give people additional time to
get boosted. There have been a number of cases at my work place too in the last
month. What is our current plan if Travis county moves to stage 5?
Caroline
On Wed, Jan 5, 2022, 4:17 PM Ellen Knapton <eknapton@xxxxxxx> wrote:
We could poll members to see who would actually return now vs postponing a week
or two.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 5, 2022, at 4:00 PM, Warren Gill <mymaestro@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Much as I hate second-guessing, a week delay?
On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 2:27 PM James Bigham <jbigham98@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
*pokes head up out of trenches* "stuffs really on fire, yo.Hi gang. Just
wanted to give a heads up that things are grim on the front lines. I've had 3
minions go down with a case of covid over the last 2 days. Lots, and I mean
lots of tests are coming back positive. As much as I want to be back and
playing again, an unbiased assessment of the dumpster fire we're in is
necessary. It might behoove the group to postpone.Alright, back to the
trenches. More shells incoming. Stay safe out there.Jimmythetuba
On Wed, Jan 5, 2022, 1:59 PM Marc Frazier <marcdfrazier@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Nicely done.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 5, 2022, at 12:32 PM, Warren Gill <mymaestro@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
The acweboard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx email address does not accept mail from outside
the group.In fact I sent one to this mail from another account, and I don't see
it in the forum.
On Tue, Jan 4, 2022 at 10:50 PM Thomas Hensle <tomhensle@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Let me know if there are changes to be made or things I missed. Thanks for the
notes Melissa!
Hello Band!
Happy New Year!
The Board voted last night to go ahead as planned with beginning ACWE's season
next Tuesday the 11th at 7:30 PM. Vaccinations are currently required to attend
rehearsals. Please read through the points below for all of the information
regarding rehearsals and the Band's Covid Protocols.
- Vaccinations are currently required to attend rehearsals. Participants
must be fully vaccinated, by the CDC definition (currently 2 doses of Pfizer or
Moderna or 1 dose of J&J). Please bring proof of vaccination to the first
rehearsal you attend. Once Travis county drops to stage 2 of Covid Alert,
proof of vaccination will no longer be required.
- If you are exposed to someone who tests positive for Covid, or is showing
Covid symptoms, please do not come to rehearsal for at least one week.
- Any member who gets Covid agrees to inform the ACWE board by email
(acweboard@xxxxxxxxxxxxx). The board will then notify all ACWE members who were
at the previous rehearsal with that band member. Please wait to return to
rehearsals until one week after symptoms disappear.
- Attendance will be taken at each rehearsal. Minimum attendance
requirements will not be enforced. Please stay home to be safe as needed.
- Masks are required in the Covenant Church building, please wear a mask
when outside of the rehearsal area.
- Brass players, please bring your own cloth to catch spit each rehearsal.
First rehearsal items to bring:
-proof of vaccination
-mask
-spit cloth for brass players
-your horn
-you!
We hope to make the best of this season while maintaining a reasonably safe
environment for our friends. Please do not take any risks you are uncomfortable
with. The Board has spent a lot of time discussing the Band's return to music
in person. We've tried to find the appropriate balance of risk and reward, and
more than anything we look forward to being able to play music together again.
Thank you,
Tom
