We were discussing several possibilities last night, including this one, or perhaps that some Youth sections may be separated to create a similar situation for SOME sections.
A concern that was raised is whether any people entered EXPECTING a mask requirement to be enforced and would be concerned (and potentially have a legitimate complaint) if it weren’t.
And of course, we are still subject to various state and university requirements.
All that said…
We are routinely revisiting the issues, and are actively considering them. I tend to leave the risk where it belongs - on the unvaccinated, and will have less of an issue with that once EVERYONE has a reasonable opportunity to get vaccinated, AND a reasonably high percentage are vaccinated. That’s Biden’s goal by the 4th, which would give us effectiveness by the end of July.
Let’s also keep in mind there are some immunocompromised people who, even if vaccinated, will get a substantially lower level of effectiveness from the vaccine due to their current treatments, such as cancer patients, or transplant patients. They NEED herd immunity to be safe, so at least 70% vaccinated, and potentially more like 85% vaccinated.
So, it’s possible. We’re looking at it. We probably need to be over 70% fully vaccinated with a positivity rate no larger than 1 (and possibly much lower.) Currently, IL 7-day rolling average is at 3.5% (solid, but not stellar), the daily rate is under 3 (more exciting) and the 7-day rate in the area of the university is 2.8 which is even more exciting. But there is still a ways to go.
So, we are on it. Right now though - everything is still masked.
The MidWest always has great numbers turn out for the Senior Open. I called up my friend in California and he said he is coming. Many are not on FB or look at these forums so maybe anyone here that is going can get the word out to friends. It all helps.
And thank you Kevin for all your hard work.
So glad it is on again and held someplace where rates are reasonable.
Thanks for spreading the word. There are TLA’s online and in Chess Life (and CL4K for the Junior Open) - and we are doing email blasts. But not everyone has allowed email from affiliates - so spreading by word of mouth helps a lot.
I am also finding that former players, after the pandemic, have an urge to try it again. Tell your old chess friends about it.
Final aside…
I encourage everyone to accept affiliate emails on your US Chess account. Most email tools allow you to route email meeting certain characteristics to a specific folder - so you could send all uschess.org email to a chess folder and just check it a couple of times a week - avoiding that “spam” feeling - if you feel like you get too many emails.
The cost of email blasts is so much lower, that its a great benefit to all chess players if tournament communication can be done all electronically.