[Genuine Realist]

I saw the announcement that this board is closing at the end of 2020. 

I wanted to express my hope that it be kept open a bit longer.

Although some people have already received a vaccine, and so, to a large extent, as far as their personal safety is concerned, the pandemic may be “over” for them, many of us have not received the vaccine and may not have an opportunity to receive one for many months.

This forum could continue to be a very helpful resource for those people to discuss issues like vaccine safety, which vaccine to choose (if they have a choice), or even where to get one. It could also provide a venue for people who have been vaccinated to share their experience.

Just recently, this forum discussed possible treatments like remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies, as well as  the availability of those treatments. Issues like these unfortunately may remain relevant for many of us for a while.

And for those of us without vaccines, who may not be able to get treatments even if infected, this forum could continue to provide information on topics like choosing safe activities, acquiring high-quality PPE  and upcoming treatments.

I can understand the desire to close this board, and agree it makes sense to do so as soon as it’s appropriate, but the death rate in Santa Clara County has never been higher than now. It has never been a more dangerous time for unvaccinated people in SCC, so it feels like a tough time to close this helpful resource.

Thanks for the buggy ride, in any case. Topics as urgent and politicized as this will result in strong emotion, often expressed verbally. I have never been particularly bothered by rude language directed at what is at bottom an internet avatar (my flesh-and-blood personality is a lot different than the one projected here), and why anyone else is, is beyond me.

But those are the rules here, and it is indeed more civil than the old CEB. Why the occasional intemperate post or reply is so threatening is beyond me. 

That said, thanks for the open forum for as long as it lasted.

[Genuine Realist]

I saw the announcement that this board is closing at the end of 2020. 

I wanted to express my hope that it be kept open a bit longer.

Although some people have already received a vaccine, and so, to a large extent, as far as their personal safety is concerned, the pandemic may be “over” for them, many of us have not received the vaccine and may not have an opportunity to receive one for many months.

This forum could continue to be a very helpful resource for those people to discuss issues like vaccine safety, which vaccine to choose (if they have a choice), or even where to get one. It could also provide a venue for people who have been vaccinated to share their experience.

Just recently, this forum discussed possible treatments like remdesivir and monoclonal antibodies, as well as  the availability of those treatments. Issues like these unfortunately may remain relevant for many of us for a while.

And for those of us without vaccines, who may not be able to get treatments even if infected, this forum could continue to provide information on topics like choosing safe activities, acquiring high-quality PPE  and upcoming treatments.

I can understand the desire to close this board, and agree it makes sense to do so as soon as it’s appropriate, but the death rate in Santa Clara County has never been higher than now. It has never been a more dangerous time for unvaccinated people in SCC, so it feels like a tough time to close this helpful resource.

Thanks for the buggy ride, in any case. Topics as urgent and politicized as this will result in strong emotion, often expressed verbally. I have never been particularly bothered by rude language directed at what is at bottom an internet avatar (my flesh-and-blood personality is a lot different than the one projected here), and why anyone else is, is beyond me.

But those are the rules here, and it is indeed more civil than the old CEB. Why the occasional intemperate post or reply is so threatening is beyond me. 

That said, thanks for the open forum for as long as it lasted.