<html><head></head><body><div class="ydp5f114cc2yahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Following our very successful meetings in the Park on May 26 and June 25, we have all been expecting to have more in-person meetings and fewer zoom meetings. However, those hopes seem to have been dashed by the recent worsening of the pandemic and consequent tightening of controls over gatherings imposed by the State and the County.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">We have had 16 new cases during the five days after July 4th and tourism traffic has increased substantially, bringing the possibility of new cases being brought into our community by non-locals. Most of us continue to shelter at home and avoid non-essential travel.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">The State bans social, professional and community gatherings of non-related persons.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">An exception is made for religious gatherings and protests.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Exceptions are also made for small gatherings of unrelated persons. In March the upper limit on such a gathering was 100 persons. This number was gradually decreased over time until in June it was 12 persons. On July 3, however, the Mendocino County Health Director decreased this number to 6 persons. This assumes people will wear masks and observe social distancing. It applies to both indoor and outdoor gatherings.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">There are of course some apparent inconsistencies. When a business such as a grocery store opens it will often create a gathering of more than 6 persons. The thrust of the current County policy seems to be to limit the size of gatherings in non-essential businesses, such as club meetings.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Although all of us are staying safe, there is a diversity of practices amongst club members. Some are going to dine-in restaurants and others are not. Some are traveling and others are not. Some are at extreme risk and others are not. Some will attend meetings in the Park but not on zoom, and some will attend zoom meetings but not park meetings.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">If we meet in a number of more than 6 persons in the Park we are technically in violation of County law. We all hope this limit on the size of gatherings in the Park will be lifted back up to 12, as it was before, and the next review date will be August 3, but my guess is that there is little chance of this.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">We hope therefore that club members and committees will use the Park for their meetings, smaller than 6 persons, but cannot propose use of the Park for club meetings of a greater number of persons at this time. </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I trust this correct, but if anyone has other information please let us know. We could write the County seeking a clearance to meet as a club, but my guess is such a request would be a waste of time given the direction the pandemic is taking right now.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Our next club meeting, on July 16, will be by zoom. More on the agenda to come shortly.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">County health guidelines are attached. </div><div><br></div><div class="ydp5f114cc2signature">Jeff Stubbs, President</div><div class="ydp5f114cc2signature" dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">P.O. Box 1360 Mendocino, CA 95460<br>Home phone 707-937-6026<br>I phone 707-536-6190<br>Skype phone 707-397-5620<br>Skype name jeffrystubbs</div></div></div></body></html>