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Topic created by Steve on Thu Mar 12, 2020 at 10:46 pmIn light of the enational headlines, and the decision to postpone Big Woods, does it make sense to suspend our entire schedule until further notice?
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Reply by Orienteer7 on Fri Mar 13, 2020 at 8:03 amIt is my understanding that the club officers and Board are planning a meeting on this very soon.
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Reply by Steve on Fri Mar 13, 2020 at 10:44 amAs a member of the board, I was hoping for club member feed back.
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Reply by shiatsuron on Fri Mar 13, 2020 at 11:02 am
Coronavirus transmission occurs in close quartered human to human contact. In many ways it’s very similar to every other years flu strains. In other words transmission occurs mostly indoors. Orienteering is an outdoor event. Orienteering by it’s very nature is less a human to human event, and more a human interaction with the outdoors. Yes we have to exchange money and maybe sign a paper, but then we are away from the close human contact for the bulk of our time during the event.
While canceling the A event was unfortunate, the event had much more indoor contact (hotels, registration, socializing) than a regular Sunday meet. That part of a big A event may be unavoidable, but it is not Orienteering.
I for one think Kathy Urban’s suggestions are completely spot on about Batsto. Get back to the basics of it all. Get rid of some of the peripheral baggage that isn’t necessarily part of the orienteering experience and just be outside.
It is my personal belief that on the whole, populations of people that spend more time outdoors, away from crowded work places or institutions are healthier individuals. I fail to see how stopping having events where people spend time away from the most unhealthy aspects of society helps anything.
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Reply by Sandy on Fri Mar 13, 2020 at 11:44 amI would endorse canceling/postponing events.One option that is being talked about by some is (if parks are willing) to put out streamers for a couple of weeks, post maps on-line for people to print and go do the course on their own when they want. This avoids gatherings of people and touching things that others have touched. Ask for donations to be sent to DVOA in lieu of event fees.
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Reply by ErikEddy on Fri Mar 13, 2020 at 5:51 pmPa state parks events banned until end of April
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Reply by Len on Sat Mar 14, 2020 at 10:38 amI agree with shiatsuron's post. I think we all will need some sence of normalcy with the amount of activities and day to day things that are being canceled.
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Reply by pjshannon13 on Sat Mar 14, 2020 at 11:12 amI do not have a medical background so I am far from an expert, but I do work at a hospital and have been "in the room" for a lot of decisions about our own procedures along with recommendations getting put out to the general public. So I apologize for repeating what many already know, but there is so much conflicting information floating around out there I figured I'd share what I have heard directly from infection control experts. While for most of us the coronavirus may feel like the flu if we were to get it, it is different from a couple angles (1) its way more contagious than the flu by its nature and also because we don't have a vaccine for it, (2) the mortality rate (based on what we know) is showing to be significantly higher (estimated 2-3% compared to 0.1% for the flu). The likelihood of healthy non-seniors dying is small, but how many of us come in contact with people at higher risk? (3) healthcare systems worldwide--and the US is no expection--are strained to overwhelmed right now to handle the influx of people needing testing, care, even if they are at low risk for dying.As far as orienteering is concerned local events would be pretty low risk as far as activities go. If I wasn't injured right now and events were being held I personally would go and just take the precautions everyone has been told since I do not have any symptoms. If events are held I would highly recommend not having shared food available, its an unnecessary risk. That being said, I think cancelling is perfectly legitimate first to minimize spreading whereever we can, second so the efforts of event directors and course setters arent minimized by what is certainly going to be a much smaller turnout.Agree with Sandy on alternatives. In conjunction with the HVO/WCOC series Greg A actually set up a Corridor-O on the Pound Ridge map--nothing to do in the woods what-so-ever to set up. (BTW, besides the Corridor-O two of the winter courses are still up if you're desparate!) If anyone did want to put some flags out that would be about as safe an activity as you could do--in fact probably safer than staying in your home unless you and your family have had no contact with the outside world for the last couple of weeks. Just my two cents.
