[NCC] 2022 K8AZ Open House

[tleek8az]

To the NCC Warriors:

Save the Date (Tentatively!)

Greetings (and Happy Christmas and Merry Holidays) to the NCC Warriors.
This email concerns the POSSIBILITY of resuming the K8AZ Open House in
January, 2022.  As an initial matter, please save the date of Saturday,
January 15 for this event if possible.

One month ago, I would not have thought this issue would be rising up
again, but with the rapid spread of Omicron, the stunning number of
"break-through" infections (even for those who are fully vaxed and
boosted), and the obvious increased risk that is present in the age group
that our cohort of experienced contesters represents, I admit that I think
we should take a breath and consider carefully whether or not to proceed.
In this regard, I want to note several factors anecdotally:

   - First, anyone who follows the Cleveland Browns knows that, due to
   COVID-19, the Browns had to bench 20 players on Monday 12/20 for the
   Raiders game.  Many of these were vaxed and boosted, yet still tested
   positive, and were therefore considered a risk to others.
   - Two weeks ago, Taft (my law firm) canceled a retreat that had been in
   the planning stages for more than a year, and for which substantial
   deposits had to be forfeited.  The retreat involved more than 600 Taft
   lawyers from ten cities flying to Phoenix and taking over a major resort in
   Scottsdale, AZ. during the third week of January..  The concern among
   Taft's ExComm was the level of risk:  and the "what if" factor -- "what if"
   even one of those lawyers caught COVID and wound up with a very bad outcome?
   - Vaccinations and masking are still a contentious issue;  a recent
   national poll determined that about 40% of the unvaccinated are adamant
   that nothing will ever change their mind about the topic.  Consequently,
   what, if any, would the "gate" rules be for the open house event, and how
   would those rules (or lack thereof) impact turnout?

I'll be interested to read any thoughts/input you may have.  Having an in
person meeting would clearly be ideal for many many reasons.  But if we do
not have an open house, we will at least meet by zoom.

Please send me your thoughts by email.  Copy the list if you feel it
appropriate, but if you email to me, please also copy K3LR.  I'll try to
put things together and get out a final announcement before 12/31.

Regardless, Happy Christmas to all -- or Happy Holiday, if more appropriate
-- and let's all enjoy the resurgence of ole sol as the year turns.

Vy 73,
Tom, K8AZ