Antietam Radio Association's Response to the COVID-19 Crisis
Submitted by K3WJC on Mon, 03/23/2020 - 00:44Part I of an undoubtedly multi-part series
The COVID-19 phenomenom that we are, unfortunately, all sharng is much different than most other things most of us have ever experienced. The virus seems to spread very rapidly without the need for direct contact. Local, county, state and federal governments, as well as the CDC, all began to -- almost in unison and with remarkable speed -- strongly recommend quauratining when you do not feel well, keeping your distance from others to ensure you did not pick up the virus (or if you happen to be a carrier, unknowlingly pass it on to others) and working from home. It was quite amazing or me how our reactions to the virus seemed to change on a dime! Initially, not that worried, but maybe concerned, to now -- well... The numbers of those infected were (and still are) getting scary high!
Like many other organizations and businesses, Antietam Radio Association found itself knee-deep in many decisions. Many of the members/officers had their own thoughts as to what to do about the hamfest, Field Day, and many related things. I am going to start my timeline about the second week of March, 2020. We were all wondering what effect the virus spread would have on the ARA's Great Hagerstown Hamfest, and whether we should cancel the Hamfest, postpone it, or continue business as usual and see how things played out. It was a very good question, and there was a lot of thought put into it. This was definutely going to be the main topic at our next meeting, only a few day away. That is until, on March 12, 2020, Gov. Hogan changed the entire scope of our decision-making process.
ARA President, Bob Long (KD3JK), suggested that, since St. John's Church was closed for the time being, instead of skipping the Activities Meeting that usually takes place on the second meeting of the month, we instead have a meeting on the air at 7P, Tuesday, March 17.
MARCH 17, 2020 -- FIRST ON AIR MEETING
The meeting ran very smoothly; because we were unsure as to whether or not the on-air meeting would be considered "official," Bob ran the meeting under authority of an emergency Executive Committee meeting.
During this meeting we deliberated on several things, as outlined below:
