Covid-19 Cancellations

Hello Friends, After long and careful consideration by the team, I have decided to cancel all of our upcoming events until Tuesday 28th July 2020. If required, Cambridge Skeptics will continue to postpone events until it is socially responsible to start again. Without doubt, the most important thing right now is to look after each other and our community during these difficult times. The overwhelming consensus is that without everybody collectively working together to flatten the curve of this pandemic, the effects it could have on the world, not just here in the UK, could be disastrous.  What do we mean by flattening the curve? This handy graphic by Reddit user Darth_Voter explains it beautifully:

In short, by reducing the infection rate (spread of the virus) using social distancing measures, we can work to collectively aim to reduce cases at the peak of this pandemic so that we do not exceed the capacity of our precious healthcare system. If we do not flatten this curve, we end up in a situation where difficult choices have to be made. Who gets care and who does not get care? (Or, put another way, who lives, and who dies?) I certainly wouldn't want to be the one making that choice, and I want to do everything within my power to make sure that others do not have to make that choice either. Maybe we could leave that decision to other people anyway? I mean, many of us are sitting in the comfort of our own homes. Unfortunately any delays in making a decision about who lives or dies will mean that many more will needlessly die in the process. And, whilst many of us may not be in the vulnerable risk group, many of us have friends, family members and loved ones that are susceptible to this devastating disease. As a skeptic and humanist (as well as many other labels, no doubt), I believe that we have a moral duty to take actions within our control that reduce unnecessary harm and suffering. One simple, yet challenging step we can all take, is to embrace the necessity of social distancing and fully understand what role we all play in participating. This virus is exceptionally infectious and a vaccine could take anywhere from 12-18 months, or more. For these reasons social distancing measure really can work. But only if we all participate and take it seriously. I know that many of you will be disappointed about all the events that are being cancelled. I know that many of you are scared and worried about the implications of social distancing if you were are follow it strictly. I also acknowledge that many people will hold the view that control measures could be put in place to control the risk so that gatherings such as ours can go ahead. But, I have to follow my conscience and do what I believe is correct. Below, I have shared a video from one of my favourite YouTube channels Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell.

This particular video puts into context a lot of the information that we have all been hearing, but takes a deeper dive on the mechanics of the virus itself and explains the critical role that social distancing will play during this time. This is a difficult time for all of us, but know that we love you all and we're so grateful for all of your support. We wish you, and your loved ones, all the best in this time. Take care of yourselves, friends. Bye for now. See you on the other side. Stay safe.  Shaun and the Team at Cambridge Skeptics