Hi Jim,
I agree with you on all points, Covid is a "special circumstance" and needs
"reasonable accommodations" from US Chess for public safety, including
postponing this OTB event.
As one of the authors of the US Chess Accessibility Guidelines, and former
chairman of the US Chess Accessibility and Special Circumstances Committee,
I am very disappointed that the organizers are disregarding player safety
by insisting on holding this event.
That said, I've tried to influence US Chess to call it off, but found that
I no leverage to change the situation.
As always you have my continued support,
Janelle
On Wed, Oct 14, 2020, 11:28 AM JT <hazelnutt2001@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi David, and Everybody,
I'm sorry to hear that Indiana has suspended its requirements for the use
of masks. I've heard other states have done so, as well. It seems that many
are choosing to follow the ludicrous behavior being modelled by our
so-called leaders in Washington. And as a totally predictable and expected
result, more than 20 states are reporting significant increases in COVID
cases. Just yesterday I took a two-hour trip from Bowling Green down to
Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to make my second donation of Convalescent plasma.
I mention that because it is about the only reason that motivates me to
travel outside Bowling Green. Frankly, if I had my way, charges of criminal
negligence and reckless endangerment would be brought against all those,
from the top down, who choose to show their indifference toward their
fellow human beings by disregarding any of the guidelines which might help
to eventually eliminate this blasted virus. Meanwhile, no, I'm afraid I
won't be in attendance in New Hampshire. I've said it before, and I'll say
it again, it defies my understanding why Mr. Reed and Mr. Relya have
refused to give up their efforts to put on this year's OTB tournament. For
any who do choose to attend, please, take it from one who knows, COVID is
nothing to mess with. Even if you don't wind up in the hhospital, it can
make you unhappy for weeks, even months. Be aware that, even if you hold
fastidiously to the recommended safeguards, it can still get you,
Especially now, with the numbers of people who are ignoring the guidelines.
And we still don't know why many people can carry the virus, even to the
point of developing the antibodies, without showing symptoms. And they can
blithely pass those symptoms along to others and not have a clue what
they've done nor even when they did it. It got me, and I still don't know,
will probably never know, where I picked up the virus. Theresa never did
show symptoms, but she has the antibodies. We assume she developed them in
her body's fight against what she was getting from me, but that's only
conjecture. And we were as careful as we could be, right from the start of
this whole mess.
Ok, enough. Sorry, folks, but I feel rather strongly about COVID and what
people are doing and not doing. If you do choose to attend the tournament
in New Hampshire, be careful, be as safe, and also as considerate toward
others, as you can be. I hope you have some good chess! And I hope that
neither you, nor those around you, experience any fallout thereafter from
your adventure.
Jim T
-----Original Message-----
From: David Rosenkoetter [mailto:davidrosenkoetter260@xxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2020 8:35 PM
To: J Thoune <hazelnutt2001@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: 2020 U.S. championship for blind players, Attention, Ginny
Hi, Jim.
I just saw your question on list about the OTB tournament. Just curious.
Have you recovered enough to consider going ? I'd still be interested in
playing if there are enough players to hold four full rounds of chess. With
a week and a half to go, the cost of the room seems to be a financial
reality check and may be the deciding factor in whether to withdraw my
participation if there's not going to be a good turn-out.
Here's to you being in good health. Amy and I have been laying pretty low
as far as taking all the COVID precautions even though Indiana is no longer
requiring folks to wear masks in public. Allen County, where Fort Wayne is,
just had its highest case diagnosis count in one day this past week. With
that said, I am so itching to play OTB chess with blind folks, sighted
folks, or mixed company, it's not even funny. So, now onto scheduling my
games for the various Skype stuff we're all doing.
David
On 10/12/20, JT <hazelnutt2001@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Ginny, Has Alex said anything about how many people have signed up for
the tournament?
Jim T
-----Original Message-----
From: usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:usbca_chess-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ginny Alverson
Sent: Monday, October 12, 2020 2:40 PM
To: usbca_chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [usbca_chess] Hotel rate for the 2020 U.S. championship for
blind players
Hello all: Alex Relyea is still planning to hold the 2020 U.S.
championship
for blind players over the weekend of October 24 and 25 in Manchester,
N.H..
The hotel rate is $119 per night.
Ginny Alverson: President, USBCA
