I am both a physician in NJ, and a longtime member of PBS. Given the independent nature of the members of the club and bowhunters in general, as well as the timing of the event as things have been playing out.... I am really not surprised that the Gathering went on, and was not cancelled. We each have our own opinions as to risk exposure and risk taking on a daily basis and certainly with the current viral pandemic. My concern here is that there will be a lack of appreciation of the reality of what is going to happen within the US over the next few months. Everyone from here on out needs to do the most that they can do to block the spread of this infection. It puts older people (and guys there are one heck of a lot of older archers/bowhunters amongst us) at a disturbingly high rate of death. The efforts to stop the viral spread will have major financial impact on many people, particularly service workers. Nothing like this has happened in the world and this country for 100 years but it is very real.
When people decide not to participate in Public Health efforts, in hurts everyone in the long run. You would not like your child to get mumps and end up sterile, or your pregnant wife get chickenpox resulting in your new child being born with birth defects just because people in the community did not vaccinate their child. Polio was once the scourge of the earth but we beat it back with science so that we no longer even think about it. The faster this contagious illness is checked, the less damage it will do within our culture and society. Don't for a moment believe that it can't come to your community.
I am not in panic mode, although the East coast has certainly taken aggressive actions. Out of "nowhere", this infection has now been identified in all 50 states.
I write this to tell you straight out, that you need to be part of the solution and not the problem.
Topic: PBS Biennial Gathering & COVID-19 - Message From President and Dr. Tom (Read 2245 times)
