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OPINION

Shaheen: Why Superstition Mountain Astronomical League canceled events for season

Posted

I believe you all know just how much we in the Superstition Mountain Astronomical League love hosting our "star parties" and enjoy engaging with you, our visitors. It has been a source of extreme satisfaction for us and we believe instructive and entertaining for you as well.

But, we need to deal with the realities of the current situation with respect to COVID-19 (the coronavirus).

Over the past few weeks, we have spent some time coming up with ways to mitigate the risk of the virus, including:

  1. Encouraging people to bring disinfectant wipes (to wipe off ladders and other things they might touch).
  2. Requesting visitors not come if they or someone in their party is not feeling well.
  3. We also talked about imposing a minimum age of, say, 8 years old.
  4. Having antiseptic wipes available for use (the presence of which might encourage visitors to employ hygienic practices).

Also, it turns out social distancing (3 to 6 feet) is not a practice we can rely on since our visitors wait in line to look through a telescope. And, while at the telescope, we are in close contact with them, as they are with each other.

Therefore, out of an abundance of caution (and the CDC recommendation and Gov. Ducey's order to cancel gatherings of more than 50 people), we are canceling events for the remainder of this season (2019-20.)

We suggest visiting the following CDC (Centers for Disease Control) websites for valuable information, as well as a link to the World Health Organization (WHO):

  • General information about the Coronavrius disease from the CDC:
    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
  • For the public at large:
    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
  • For the elderly and others who may be at a higher risk level: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html
  • The World Health Organization:
    https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

We hope to resume hosting events in the Fall.

Thank you and stay healthy.

William Shaheen
Superstition Mountain Astronomical League