On behalf of the ECYB Board, I am writing to you today regarding this Saturday's planned Opening Day event. Like so many of you, I have been following the news of COVID-19, (aka the Coronavirus) and it's spreading impact on our community. While other parts of the world have been dealing with this for months, we are just now starting to grapple with the effects of this epidemic. As cases are discovered in our local community (confirmed cases in Berkeley and Contra Costa County this week), we are all faced with making decisions to best care for our family, our neighbors and our greater community. There is still a good deal unknown of how this disease will affect us here, but we still need to make decisions based on our best information and prudence.

 

As a board, we have received a good deal of feedback from community members. We have also been in consultation with local health officials, as well as checking regularly with the CDC website. We also have received information from our local school districts, and we have taken note of several corporations canceling large group gatherings. 

 

With all of that in mind, we are disappointed to announce that we have made the decision to err on the side of caution and we are canceling our Opening Day parade and events. The idea of gathering 500 people in close proximity with other, combined with the chance of rain, combined with recommendations of local officials has led us to difficult decision.

 

So, to clarify, we are canceling all events for Saturday - the parade, the hotdog lunch, and the team photos. We will look to reschedule the photos for later in the season, and we are considering a community event later in the season. We would like to thank all of the volunteers who signed up to help with the event, and we will give you credit for those volunteer hours.

 

At this time, we are going to continue with all other practices and games as scheduled. With that in mind, I would like to remind everyone of some basic health precautions:

• If your child (or you as a coach/volunteer) is sick, please let your manager know and stay home.
• Please refrain from handshakes and high fives (try fist bumps, forearm bangs, hip bumps instead)
• Please don't share equipment, particularly helmets.
• And wash your hands regularly, for at least twenty, directly after practice or games. 

 

We will keep you updated on future events as necessary.

 

Thank you,

 

John Chakan

President, ECYB

on behalf of the Board of Directors