From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Phil De Rosa
Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2020 9:53 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Special] [YCSP] #2020partiesUPDATE

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Hello All.? Like a local sign says here in York: ?? IS IT 2021 YET?

I know this year has been tough for many if not all of us.? I will try to keep this brief.? I've been asked all year long weather the party is going to be held, and I, like many of you, have been keeping my fingers crossed.? The obvious question is, could we do it safely?
I have come to the conclusion that this no longer possible this year, and probably not at least through the beginning of next year.

At this point, the one date I have picked for the next major party is October 6-10, 2021.? I may also consider a secondary date: September 9-12, 2021 for a 4 day event.? And I have asked about holding short-notice impromptu evening gatherings (no overnight stays in the park) if the weather is being cooperative.

There is no one more disappointed than me.? I was thrilled with the night skies last August when we held the first party at our new location, Susquehannock State Park, in southern Lancaster County.? After 25 years of slugging it through the mud, lot's of work and expenses, we finally found a site that is truly dark, with flush toilets, electric and water supplies, a dumpster, and not one visible light from outside the park to hinder night vision.

It IS at a public park, which IS the problem, only because of Covid.? There is no way to control who visits and uses the public restrooms during the day.? Lancaster has some of the highest covid numbers in this part of the state, and if just one visitor spreads the virus, the possibility exists that at least ONE person could become infected.? In addition to that is the risk that many of our own visitors travel from out of state, and could be exposed from a visit to a restaurant or gas station. ?
Maybe, maybe not.? It should be obvious by now that a lot of people haven't been taking this thing serious enough, and many of them, their families, friends, and medical personnel have suffered because of it.? I am dreading what the numbers may show after the numerous public events that have taken place recently.

Without any kind of quick, reliable testing, we ourselves could be carriers.? Hopefully the people working hardest on this problem do have some luck, quickly.? I hope no one has had anyone they know or love infected.
I, and many of our attendees are over 50 (or 60), with additional risk factors.? I can't justify this risk as being worth it. ?

Please share this info with your newsletter editors, clubs, and others in the hobby.? By all means, this year is a year for solitary, safe astronomy and armchair travel.? I will be planning and working towards events next year, in addition to other projects, so you might not hear from me much.? I'll keep you posted on any possible sessions at night at the location, once it is safe enough to consider them.
I miss this event as much as I miss the people attending and supporting it for years.? Please, be safe everyone.? And lucky.? By for now....? Phil