All — sorry to be a bit late to the conversation. Many thanks to Dave/Ed/Dennis
for your diligence on working through the tough issues.
I’m on the side of the fence that reads “caution”. I just saw the notification
on K.Q being canceled as well as the July events. I believe this is the proper
course of action to take given the wrong direction the infection rate curve has
taken.
As an aside, my employer has set up a method for a "self evaluation" that can
be done using a cell phone, web browser, etc. We have a QR code set up at the
entrance to the building that, when scanned by a smart phone, takes you to
website questionnaire and logs your responses the standard five messages. It
might be something we could mimic and demonstrate SDAA’s intention to be
compliant with whatever rules local governments require for group gatherings.
Dave
On Jun 27, 2020, at 10:10 AM, Michael Chasin (Redacted sender "mikechasin"
for DMARC) <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I agree that we should wait in light of recent trends.
On Jun 27, 2020, at 10:04 AM, Melany Biendara <bieme@xxxxxxx> wrote:
While I was cautiously optimistic earlier, I too, agree that we should err
on the side of caution and wait.
In chatting on this topic with Brian, he suggested that a possible temporary
solution for volunteers who are approached to come out to places around the
county with scopes: they could do so, but not as an SDAA event (ie: no
mention of SDAA in any communications/media, not published by SDAA).
Obviously a) we could not count these as part of our outreach efforts and b)
this would not apply to the Lipp. I'm sure there are pros and cons to this
approach, but throwing it out there for us to think about until we meet next
month.
On Saturday, June 27, 2020, 09:44:17 AM PDT, Dave Decker
<davemobile8@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hiro, and all,
Thank you for your sage comments. In response, we intend to enforce the
mask, distancing, and surface and hand sanitizing protocols for all members
and participants. This first event is intended to figure out if that is
possible and “how” to do so.
The SDAA has a responsibility to our members and to those who will attend
our events. I believe that our operational responsibility is to cooperate
with guidelines developed by official health organizations. We admit that
the COVID-19 virus is not yet well understood, and any public guideline will
unfortunately, fall short of perfection. But, that is what we have.
Each of our members will make the call regarding their own safety, and I
respect those decisions, as long as we maintain the minimum requirements in
our plan. Many members will choose not to participate in our programs, but
others will.
Guests, also, should understand that the SDAA will require them to cooperate
with the standard guidelines. The best we can do as an organization, is to
apply those CDC etc., guidelines to all of our operational procedures. The
proposed reopening plan is an attempt to apply the guidelines to public
astronomy, outdoor, outreach events. We will discover some successes and
some failures, and will then modify our plans as needed.
Also, I really appreciate all comments on this interactive, dynamic process.
I do not believe comments are “negative” or “positive”, since we do not know
what the social context will look like many months down the road. We will
accept the Board’s decision to review, modify or delay this proposed plan.
But, I would prefer that we have “a plan” to offer to our members, rather
than the members operating without Board direction. Either way, we need to
initiate the dialog.
Dave D
On Fri, Jun 26, 2020 at 10:10 PM Hiroyuki Hakozaki <hiroyuki@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:hiroyuki@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Hi Dave,
I understand the difficulty of getting gloves. I think the proposal is
written well and looks good to me.
I want organizers and telescope operators to strongly ask face mask wearing
and hand sanitizer usage.
They should refuse attendees who aren't following protocol.
In my opinion, these public events aren't safe at this moment even with
these rules
and if I'm responsible, I won't agree to do it. If everyone is very careful
and follows the rule diligently,
it can be done. But I saw many people not following rules. And it won't be
easy to force them to do so.
But I also understand people want to start the event. Since our star party
is supported by volunteers,
we can not stop them from doing it and your guide line looks appropriate.
Sorry to be negative about it. Since it is a very difficult call, I want to
share my opinion.
Recent increasing positive cases also worry me about these public events.
Hiro.
On Tue, Jun 23, 2020 at 4:06 PM Dave Decker <davemobile8@xxxxxxxxx
<mailto:davemobile8@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Board Members,
Attached is our third version of the plan to re-open some outreach events.
Thank you for your comments and suggestions.
The plan implements these concepts:
-Use of 70% alcohol for sanitizing equipment
-Use of personal masks by guests, members / hosts
-Deployment of social distancing where possible
-Cueing participants to control distancing
-Notification to public participants of our COVID-19 expectations
-Use of lighting or markers where feasible
-Implementation of self-check questions for host-members
-Sanitation of equipment / furniture before and after event
-Recognition of host agency COVID-19 protocols
All suggestions have been reviewed by Ed Rumsey, Dennis Ammann, and myself.
Some ideas, although they may have merit, are probably not applicable to us
per public health and CDC guidelines, or are not feasible for SDAA Outreach
due to a clear lack of personnel and / or supply resources. Some PPE
equipment and supplies are not currently available or subject to very high
prices and lengthy shipping estimates.
This proposal is intended to continue the dialogue concerning the outreach
program in general. I honestly do not know where that will lead later this
year. But, currently, we have been invited to KQ Ranch this Saturday, and
the TDS Public Night is on-calendar for July 11. These present an
opportunity to discuss options.
At this point I am inclined to ask for a straw vote regarding these two
events. We currently do not have options with other public venues. Again, I
thank the Board members for participation in this decision, whether we go
forward this weekend or later this Summer.
Dave D
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