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You knew someone was going to post something about this eventually….might as well be me, LOL
While I am at the very cusp of the age group this virus is targeting, I take “pretty good” care of myself, so I’m not overly concerned. I try to eat plenty of fruits and veggies, I work out daily (except on bier-drinking day), I have a low stress job and (last but not least) I drink fresh, all-malt bier…which is WAY healthier than a run-of-the-mill, standard craft ale (IMHO). Still, I can’t help asking myself, “Is it worth the risk to go hang out with 12 to 20 dudes in an enclosed environment, just to sip bier?”. So far the answer is still “yeah, I’m pretty sure it is”, but that’s mostly because I like you guys and you’re all fun to hang out with. I only ask this question since all around us we’re hearing about closures, cancellations and people working from home to avoid close contact with others. So it begs the question how all of this might affect future meetings? I’m sure Evan will keep us informed….and maybe Colter will untangle a wad of computer cables and figure out a way to link us all in for a ‘virtual OTMP’ meeting. ……And by the way, back to age-thing, I think it’s incredibly short-sighted for this virus to direct it’s ire at us older brewers. After all, we’re the ones who have been around long enough to glean the most brewing knowledge. Therefore we’re more likely to produce bier that people will want to drink in quantity (I’m really reaching here…but stay with me). And the more bier people drink, the drunker they will get and the least likely they will remember to wash their freaking hands, thus making them more vulnerable to the virus. Just saying….what a stupid fucking virus!
To Bob Z, Gordon and Mick, we’ll see you in August!
Just kidding!
Maybe by May we’ll be doing virtual meetings. Gosh I hope not.
In all seriousness, unless we become a hot spot, I think having 10-20 people meet should be safe. Washing hands before and after and NOT coming if you are sick, is probably good practice in general, but particularly now.
Ya’ll will need a place to drown your sorrows about your 401ks anyways, it might as well be OTMP.
There is a spectrum for things like this. On one side you have the panicky people buying up all the toilet paper (good lord!)….Oh, I guess I should keep this bier-related, ALL THOSE JERKS BUYING UP ALL THE FINE BELGIAN ALES!!! … and on the opposite side of the spectrum you have people who have absolutely no concerns whatsoever. Currently I remain pretty balanced I think, but it’s a fluid situation for sure and I don’t think the authorities have a firm grasp on just how much is has already spread, under the radar so to speak (i.e. it’s a slow incubator, so people may be infected who remain non-symptomatic for some time). At this point I’m 50/50 on next week’s meeting. Everyone must make their own decision on keeping themselves and their families safe. In the meantime, I’m laying back lager bier in preparation for the COVID-19 Zombie Apocalypse! (see attached pic)
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Well as of today my work has us working from home for the rest of the month. I am also thinking it is only a matter of time before my kids are out of school. That being said I may need a beer with friends.
Cheers
Serving: Brooks Irish Red 4.8% ABV
Serving: Robert's IPA
Fermenting: We Are The Dreamer of Dreams (NEIPA)As you will all see the update I just sent out. Hopefully I am not raining on the whole parade. The decision was not lightly made. We do have many members of the club that hit the demographics of individuals that should be on high alert.
Ultimately, we are sharing drinks in close proximity and the potential for cross contamination is particularly high. Also being that I have elected for my profession to work in a cesspool of germs and children, I do know that I am a potential high risk carrier for these sort of epidemic scenarios. Lately at work I have been involved in making hard decisions regarding school closure as well as delivering online learning content while we are all apart. No decision to stop life as it is currently going is an easy one. As I have put it to my students, I would rather miss more school than know that our interactions together triggered an illness, prolonged problems or much worse.
IF you have not read up on the Spanish Flu outbreak there is an amazing article that I totally poured over and used as a resource over the last few days, you can check it out here. In that article if you really look into the case of Denver I found the information very informative an how the reactions from different cities can be very impactful to the outcomes of pandemics.
Well Cheers to Friday! Love this club.
For those of you that get down with the Joe Rogan this podcast is amazing, making my way though it now. Party On Wayne!
I am struck with the idea that the Black Plague was cured by Beer pasteurization. Monty Python – Bring out your dead.
Hey Evan, I think it was a wise decision to put the meetings on hold for a bit. You continue to show why we have you as our front man. As a person who was just sent away from work by my employer, to work from home as much as possible…..AND as an employee that is now canceling ALL of my programs for the public, I think I would feel a little strange partying on like nothing had changed. It just wouldn’t make sense.
And just an observation regarding who is at risk here. YES….anyone in the older demographics would certainly be hit harder by this thing; I guess the severity would largely follow their level of physical fitness and current state of health. BUT, it might be helpful for those “less at risk” to look at the broader landscape here. The longer this thing hangs on, the more it hurts all of us. I’m thinking of the economy here and how that will affect everyone’s personal finances. This thing is doing major damage and it has the potential to really screw things up going forward. It may not kill a millenial, but it will kill many a millenial’s ability to gain traction on their personal financial security. In fact, it is doing that now for all of us. If we all practice social-distancing now, the better off we’ll all be down the road! …and of course, to say nothing about the viruses chance to mutate and include EVERYONE on the hit list. Suffice to say, we don’t want to give this thing too much leeway. Let’s starve it’s ass! ’nuff said from me….I’ll be thinking of you all as I sip a cold home brew!
Evan, I agree with your decision. For me, it isn’t so much about meeting 10 – 20 known people to have a beer. It was more about being in a place that has many other people passing through it, and also passing around a community bottle to fill our glasses.
Like Jim, I am also on the cusp of the age group that seems most at risk. So I do consider where I decide to hang out.
My view is that eventually we will all be exposed to covid-19. I think it is a good idea for the general public to limit/reduce public activities to help moderate the rate of exposure.
I wasn’t going to be able to attend this month’s meeting anyway, but I agree with Evan’s decision. See everybody ‘soon’. Meanwhile, time to start planning the Grain Bill Challenge brew.
Sam
Serving:
Genmaicha Brown Ale
Munich Dunkel
IPAConditioning:
Fermenting:
House AmberPlanning:
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