[OKDXA] OKDXA Fall Banquet Cancellation

[D C _Mac_ Macdonald]

SMART!

73 de Mac, K2GKK in OKC

Sent from my iPad

> On Jun 16, 2020, at 15:07, Kim Elmore <cw_de_n5op at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> 
> For many years, our club, the OKDXA, has had a Fall banquet and meeting, almost always in October between contests. There we recognize the accomplishments of our members, handle whatever business needs attention, solicit membership from visitors, and almost always have an interesting program from some pretty serious DXers. Historically, it's moved around over the years with the latest few years held at the Cattle Country Inn in Stroud. After the last time, we collectively decided that it should be located closer to the middle of the state in the OKC area since there's good access to OKC form almost anywhere and so that there is less driving for our members from the SW part of the state (Stroud is quite a hike for them). So, we wanted to try OKC and see if it was more convenient for more members.
> 
> Then came the pandemic and with it far more serious concerns. Many of our members are over 60, which places them in a high-risk category for serious complications from COVID19. As a result, we have struggled with how to safely meet this Fall: perhaps outdoors, during the day, with appropriate social distancing. The weather in October is often glorious, which is why it's a good month for antenna work. But, as a meteorologist I know that October weather can also be very unpleasant, with cold rains, strong, blustery cold fronts, and occasionally severe weather. If any of these happened in an outdoor venue, there would be no place to go. There's also the entire issue of how to present a program in an open-air venue. While there are ways, doing so is beyond our modest resources.
> 
> COVID19 can be a deadly serious disease and, even if it isn't fatal, it can leave us disabled for life. The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID19 isn't going anywhere soon and has, in fact, become globally endemic. We will certainly not have access to an effective vaccine by October. We cannot know where the COVID19 hot spots will be in October any more than a specific propagation prediction can be made. We only know that just as there is always some of propagation somewhere, the virus will still be with us.
> 
> Thus, we cannot in good conscience hold a meeting that puts our membership at risk of COVID19. The officers have decided to suspend the October Fall banquet and meeting for the safety OKDXA members. As a dear friend and fabulous mentor used to tell me: It's not the odds that worry me: it's the size of the bet. This bet is not one we're willing to make.
> 
> We will share materials on-line and keep doing so. One thing is certain: things will not remain as they currently are -- this is not permanent. We all need to keep in touch with each other and share our interest in ham radio, DX, and DXing. DX Is, and always will be, just like the OKDXA.
> 
> Be well and feel free to contact us at any time.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Kim Elmore N5OP
> OKDXA President
> 
> -- 
> 
> Kim Elmore, Ph.D. (Adj. Assoc. Prof., OU School of Meteorology, CCM, PP SEL/MEL/Glider, N5OP, 2nd Class Radiotelegraph, GROL)
> 
> /"A great second violinist plays second fiddle to no one." //– Robert C. Marsh, Chicago Sun-Times./
> 
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