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Showing content with the highest reputation on 06/22/2020 in all areas

  1. These circular discussions are entertaining, but I’m waiting to see how it will be run, which depends, I’m sure, on local rules, CDC guidance, and best practices in play at the time. I’ll likely make my decision about two weeks out based on knowns at that time. I feel for the organizers, have paid my registration including the banquet, and bought a trophy package. I don’t want a refund if it cancels, just hoping it helps in some small way. If it doesn’t cancel, it’s just a choice we all have to make based on what we think the level of risk is for ourselves and others. I have my own ideas, and each person should evaluate their own risk tolerance. My profession is all about risk management, so I look at this the same way. joe
    3 points
  2. Dave, More testing is not causing more Covid cases. I know the powers that be in government would have us think so, but that is not the scientific realty. Testing is up 17% in Arizona. Covid cases are up 138%. Infection rate among those tested is 7.8% - that is a jump from 5.3%. That is most definitely not the result of more testing. This is a result of our opening up in Arizona way too early and few people taking precautions once we did. Florida the same. Texas is very, very similar. And the San Marcos area is a hotspot. As to the effects of Covid: some people have very mild symtoms. A Pastor friend of mine in his late 40s in good health was mildly affected. Others - us older ones or those with health issues are very seriously affected. The Assistant Pastor of this friend of mine - in his early 40s ended up in ICU for 9 days. A lot depends on the viral load a person receives. And that is a direct result of social distancing or not and wearing a mask or not. I truly wonder if we will have football or not. Hope so as I would hate to think of the time I would have wasted on drafting my fantasy teams. In all seriousness, tough, I tend to doubt there will be football - college or pro. And you are right about so much being driven by dollars. 4 casinos repoened in Arizona - and have now had to shut their doors for at least a couple weeks. Vegas is shutting down again. With this virus there is no such thing as a free lunch. And as you point out, considering the age group of IPMS, that is why I am so concerned about the Nats. Kevin
    2 points
  3. Ok...I've held off this far.....but this "DEMAND to wear masks" is going too far. Yes, it IS a BAD idea! The data and the consequences of exposure is at BEST undecipherable at this time. There IS a spike in CV-19's spread....BUT, that doesn't mean more people will actually get sick, need hospitalization, or die. In fact, that has NOT been the case despite the headlines....SO far. A month from now will tell us more...... The data on what works and what doesn't to prevent its spread is also inconclusive, with medical "experts" divided pretty evenly on do/don't wear masks, do/don't quarantine; etc, etc., depending on who's being interviewed and even what week it is. I personally know of local medical situations where masks/ppe are NOT being worn by medical personnel...one is actually a Covid testing site! My sister, an RN, was exposed at her hospital (along with most of the staff on her non-Covid care floor) just over a week ago....and they have NOT sent her home nor asked her to quarantine herself, and she can work her normal shifts. My point? It seems the medical people themselves realize that "the cat's out of the bag" so to speak and CV-19's "spread" CANNOT be stopped in any manner. Part of this reaction also has to due with it's overall lack of lethality among 99% of the population. The only true thing everyone seems to agree on is that IF your over 65 and IF you have any serious health complications (any age), then YOU are more vulnerable to the virus. Now, that DOES represent probably 1/3 to 1/2 of the IPMS demographic, so IPMSUSA does need to take that into account for ALL shows in the future. IPMS is stuck in a hard place due to not taking any decisive action earlier in the situation. That said, the options going forward are pretty clear: 1) IF the state of Texas and/or city of San Marcos "close" up again, and IPMSUSA has the chance to cancel without monetary penalty: CANCEL! 2) If things stay open as they are now, and continue to open up (which seems more likely); hold the Nats, bite the bullet, and try to limit the financial loss as much as possible. 3) Put in as many common sense precautions as possible and practical, spacing tables as much as space will allow, and having signage asking everyone to be as considerate to others as possible when it comes to social distancing. This will only be partly possible due to the nature of our shows, but that doesn't mean we personally cannot adapt as much as we can. 4) If YOU want to wear a mask, fine. I will then also show you additional respect and try to maintain my distance since you are obviously more concerned than myself. Do NOT tell me I HAVE to wear one just to make you "feel safe". If you don't think you can feel safe around others without them, STAY HOME. After all, HOW do you function in you local community where you have to deal with others not masked? You certainly cannot demand THEY all do so, and you cannot make that demand on your fellow convention attendees. 5) Judging will be tough....but there again, if YOU don't feel you can judge, with or without a mask, and feel safe, DON'T JUDGE! 6) Keep in mind this is going to be one of the SMALLEST Nats in decades....and that lack of attendees will HELP the situation by reducing the crowding we're all used to at the Nats. It will not eliminate it...but it will be easier under the circumstances. The National convention, if held, should be a simple reflection of America at large. YOU have a choice as to whether or not to attend, just as you choose where to go in your local community, depending on where you feel is safe or not. Going anywhere at any time involves risks, and you take precautions accordingly; whether that's being sure your car has good tires so as not to hydroplane in wet conditions, or masking yourself in order to feel like you're doing all you can to maintain your health. I hope that this is the spirit in which the San Marcos hosts are finalizing their plans. If NOT, they better start putting forth their exact demands for attendees! Gil
    1 point
  4. OK, my previous post skirted the edge or trolling and I was told by others how rude and so forth that I was. I apologize for any offense I gave. No one was talking about it (the previous post on the subject was like 3 weeks prior) and I figured it would get some discussion going. It did. I was just a little too - as my fellow Phoenix chapter members remind me often - a little too curmudgeonly. We have to be realistic about whether or not the show can go on. As was just pointed out, work schedules, travel arrangements and not incurring a cancellation penalty at hotels and the like all come into play and require some advance notice. And over and above us regular attendees, what about the vendors? They really need some advance time to know if things are a go or not. Beyond schedules and such, there is the matter of safety precautions if the show does still happen. Will the Nats organizers REQUIRE everyone to wear a mask? No exceptions. This is not a political issue, it is a health issue. And how will social distancing be carried out in the vendor room (how far apart will the vendor tables be and how many people allowed in to the vendor space at any one time) and in the model room? Nats are crowded. Model tables are crowded. How do you avoid that. And then the judging - and yes, I am a judge of many years standing. Judges crowd together to examine the models. How is that to be done SAFELY? And what about the banquet? Can you even consider a banquet when the proper spacing likely cannot be arranged (and if it can, I would like to hear that from the chapter organizers) - and how do you social distance when the awards are announced and everyone crowds into the banquet room. I don't see how this can all be done. What I found so upsetting to me - and I still do - is the silence from those in charge of this Nats. Considering everything involved, that is simply unacceptable - maybe I'm the only one that finds the silence so, or maybe I've just missed some responses from them, but I would think others among our fraternity would also find what I perceive as silence to be unacceptable. I truly do not see how this Nats can be put on this year. And that's not rude or uncaring or anything like that. Yes, going is everyone's individual choice, but we should not have to be in a position of deciding which is a greater priority - our possible health or our hobby. Leaders sometimes have to make decisions which are not popular among a few or even many, but they have to make those decisions which are in the best interest of everyone. And before anyone pops up with an anecdotal story about how they attended this or that meeting or contest and everyone is fine, etc., just look at the numbers. Texas is a hotspot. As is my own state of Arizona. This virus is real. It is not going to magically fade away overnight. It is not a media opportunity. It is not the flu. It is real. And for those of us in the higher risk categories, it can be deadly. But, of course, we still want to go (we modelers are really just big little kids and we want what we want and we do not want to be disappointed and so many of us will go despite the risks) and that is why those in charge, whether at the national or local level need to make a realistic appraisal and acknowledge that this is a lost year - for the sake of everyone's health and peace of mind. Would that be a disappointing decision? Of course. We've had 3 Nats in Phoenix and I was very much involved with the first 2. I know the work and effort that goes into a Nats by those who put it on. I know how disappointing and possibly costly cancelling a Nats would be. But I see how much more costly in human terms it could be if it does go on and people get sick and possibly die. That is something no one could then wash their hands of. That is why I plead with the leadership to do what is necessary. For all our sakes. Kevin Wenker
    1 point
  5. The Polish Air Force Mi-24D is finished. This was a fun build. There were some minor issues like the main rotor blades and the kit definitely requires accessories to bring in details. But the kit went together well and the accessories did not require any major modifications to fit. The Caracal decals went on very well. Thanks for following along. You can see all the photos and details from the start in my build log at https://davidsscalemodels.com/build-log/1-48-mi-24-hind-helicopter/
    1 point
  6. I think it unfortunate that our IPMS leadership doesn't grow a pair and make the right decision to cancel this year. First of all, Texas is a real hot spot right now (as is Arizona where I live). San Marcos is not a particularly safe area. Second, the demographics of IPMS is such that many of us who would normally attend and enter models are high to very high risk. Third, if it is held, the number of attendees and the number of models will likely make any awards a joke. First place out of 2 entries. Wow! Fourth, I'll bet the number of vendors who attend will be less than half in normal times. Finally, travel to and from is problematic at best. I was planning to go and had a great room rate but have since decided to cancel. Judging by the responses on our local IPMS page, I am just one of many who are doing the same. Come on, IPMS leadership. Have some gumption. Do the right thing. Forget this year. Focus on Vegas 2021. Why are you having such a hard time with this? I am also a wargamer. Historicon, the nationals of miniature wargaming has cancelled along with the ancillary convention Fall-In in October. The world boardgaming championships has cancelled. Seven Years War convention the same. And right on down the list. Only IPMS has stuck its collective head in the sand and is ignoring the obvious. Sure, it would be disappointing. BUT DO THE RIGHT THING!! Kevin Wenker
    1 point
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