It is with great reluctance and sadness that I’m letting you know I won’t be attending one of my favorite events, the Tucson Book Festival, next week. The desire to go is high — but I decided to withdraw for a few reasons:
First, as someone who has been prone to pneumonia in the past, I’m not exactly giddy over the idea of catching COVID-19 or even the flu that is currently spiking there — nor do I want to bring that home to my family or other vulnerable members of my local community (family, friends, school). And traveling to Tucson for me means three airpots, and four plane flights, plus hotel and such. I tend to get sick most trips, somewhat, and in fact last time I went to Tucson I came back with the flu, which progressed to pneumonia (“flumonia!”), which was my second bout with it that year. (And I gave the flu to my family. Oops?) It’s not that I expect to die (though, do we ever?), but I also will have a difficult time reckoning with a serious respiratory illness.
Second, the coronavirus is daily a rapidly shifting situation and one that remains… a little bit mysterious. For every answer, we find out two more questions about it, and though the severity is hoped to be less, we just can’t say with any certainty what this will do. The concern is multiplied by the fact our own country seems to be largely rudderless — the only trickle-down that’s happening here is the trickle of information we’re getting. While that doesn’t mean we should all panic and gargle hand sanitizer until we yarf, it probably merits caution in the sense that maybe we cut out some non-essential things. My wife was already a little freaked out with me going. So.
Third, the author panels I was on were already cut in half — a number of authors had already opted not to go on advice from family, publisher, doctors, etc.
Fourth, I’ve had some fans express reservations about going, but still wanted to go to see me… which is great, but then that makes me feel bad because I don’t want you to put yourself in harm’s way (or anxiety’s way) just to see me or get a book signed.
Fifth and finally, I’m an anxious lad who wrote a book about a pandemic.
So, with that said, I’m so sorry I won’t see you there.
I am as always glad to try to send bookplates, either to the festival in my stead, or to you directly. And certainly I hope the festival would consider having me back again in the future.
Thanks!
Be well, and wash your hands.
(No, wash them again.)
(AND STOP TOUCHING YOUR FACE, CARL.)
Jeanette Winsor says:
I feel your pain, Chuck. It’s times like these when I am so glad I can sit in my jammies all day and write. And the fact that I am NOT a widely published author with a fan base is okay, for now. But, I want to change that…as soon as the corona-virus goes away. I’m washing my hands now…
not touching my face…
rewashing hands with hand sanitizer…
Maybe I should wash my face with hand sanitizer?
Stay safe, man. Stay inside.
March 5, 2020 — 1:50 PM
Jen says:
I completely understand. I’m registered to go to Norwescon (SeaTac, WA) on Easter weekend, and I’m dragging my feet about going. I’m not a panelist, and I’m not a member of a “vulnerable population”, but I volunteer alongside folk who are very much vulnerable. I don’t want to bring anything home with me. Concrud was surmountable. I’m not certain about this.
March 5, 2020 — 2:00 PM
K Gal says:
I LOVE Norwescon. It’s my home-town Con, even… But I don’t think this is a great year to go. It’s in King County, which is the one that’s been hit so hard; towns there (like Auburn) are declaring states of emergecny.
Social Distancing (like staying home) is a little like vaccination, in that it’s something we do to protect ourselves AND those around us. Even if I’m not personally likely to suffer much if I get this illness, it’s still quite contagious. I don’t want to pass it on to someone with lower defenses who will suffer more (or worse).
Go with your gut, but don’t feel like you’re overreacting if you choose to act out of an abundance of caution.
March 6, 2020 — 12:02 PM
Jen says:
Yup, it’s the only Con I go to, because it’s local to me (I’m in Pierce County), and reasonably priced. Good value for money. I learn so much there, but this year, the trade-off may not be worth it. A shame.
March 6, 2020 — 1:28 PM
mckennadeanromance says:
This strikes me as an entirely reasonable decision–especially for someone who has had more than one bouts of pneumonia. I’ve been giving serious consideration to cancelling a planned writing retreat at the end of this month–mostly because, as you pointed out, this situation is still quite fluid and the management exhibited so far by the current administration has been less than reassuring. And that’s from someone who hasn’t written a book about a pandemic!
March 5, 2020 — 2:18 PM
Sue says:
Good call! I don’t know why anyone travels these days. I let people travel to see me. I’ve got family flying in from South Dakota next week. While I’ll be glad to see them and am glad they planned a trip to NYC, the timing isn’t great. This virus laden metropolis better leave them alone!
March 5, 2020 — 2:48 PM
Mica Rossi says:
I think this is a smart decision. I know the flu has more victims and is easily contracted, but the coronavirus is not something to fool around with. If Tucson won’t have you back because you cancelled, I’d be willing to bet your fans could get them to reconsider…
March 5, 2020 — 3:11 PM
Cindy Donnelly Kibbe says:
I understand your concern and one can never be too careful. That said, I live in Phoenix and monitor social media medical feeds for my job. I am not aware of a large spike in Coronavirus cases in Arizona. We’ve had two confirmed cases state wide, one of which has already recovered. None have been found in Tucson so far. As a fan, I’d hate to lose you, but I understand. You can also monitor real time cases at Johns Hopkins’ website.
March 5, 2020 — 3:18 PM
Julie Luker says:
I believe that Chuck was referring to a spike in flu cases there….
Oh, and good on you, Chuck. Anyone who has had more than one bout of pneumonia needs to be careful now!
March 5, 2020 — 11:35 PM
Penquillity says:
Wise decision, Chuck. Even my local Denny’s restaurant was markedly light in clientele for lunch today. We live in a diseased society, and I don’t just mean the orange turd-god. It may seem like overkill by not traveling but I don’t blame you. No one has any idea how the Coronavirus spreads so rapidly – unless you ask the Great Fruit-in-Office, who stresses how it’s really nothing (idiot!) – I wouldn’t take any chances of traveling either. Best of luck getting through this and may your immune system stay strong. You don’t sleep walk, do you?
March 5, 2020 — 3:38 PM
merriamagrain says:
Sorry if this may bother, I just started following this blog since it seems fun but I’m not American and before speaking my mind…May I ask what is an orange turd-god? Thanks.
March 6, 2020 — 11:54 AM
Jen says:
I believe Penquillity was referring to the current occupant of the White House.
March 6, 2020 — 1:30 PM
merriamagrain says:
Oh, thank you. Now I understand it all!
March 14, 2020 — 2:49 PM
Deborah Makarios says:
“Comes with free flumonia” seems like a good enough reason to avoid travelling anyway, if you ask me. But then, I’m an introvert who is happy for any reason at all to not go out and do stuff.
March 5, 2020 — 4:41 PM
M T McGuire says:
I’m always such after a flight so I can completely understand your reservations about doing several. Everyone will understand.
Stay well,
MTM
March 5, 2020 — 5:02 PM
M T McGuire says:
Sick, stuck after a flight. I loathe auto correct with a passion.
March 5, 2020 — 5:03 PM
andreaprescott says:
What a lovely post. I think you made a wise choice. Albeit not an easy one but wise nonetheless. Given the current spread of this virus circumstances and also that you tend to get sick traveling you made the right call. No sense risking. Glad you will be home safe and sound. 🙂
March 5, 2020 — 5:08 PM
denise Lewis says:
Chuck–Listen to your gut (and lungs!)–there will be plenty of conferences!! And now, with all your free time…ta-da: homemade hand sanitizer!!
The Pitch (say this in your best “50’s” announcer voice)
OK, having trouble finding hand sanitizer because of CoVid19? Here’s how to make your own:
2/3 cup of rubbing alcohol
1/3 cup aloe vera gel
8-10 drops essential oil for nice smell (optional)
Mix in bowl and pour into reusable bottle
Once a nurse, always a nurse.
March 5, 2020 — 7:07 PM
Bill Rose says:
Smart move Chuck.
March 5, 2020 — 10:10 PM
Susan Spann says:
Dammit, Carl. This is why we can’t have nice things.
All the support and good wishes to you, Chuck. Thank you for being a leader – hopefully many others will now have the courage to make the decisions they need to make, to protect themselves and their families, because you stepped up and led the way. (Like you, I don’t advocate OMG HIDE IN CLOSET BEKUZ THE VIRUSSESS… but I also think caution and conscious decision-making is the way to minimize our chances of being ill, and I think you did precisely that here. Not that you need my opinion. But it’s the comments section, so hey…here ya go.)
March 5, 2020 — 10:22 PM
Widdershins says:
Good! This sucker isn’t going away, in fact it’s just getting started. 🙁
March 7, 2020 — 1:23 AM
conniecockrell says:
A good choice for you. Stay well.
March 7, 2020 — 8:25 AM
Marc Severson says:
We’ll miss you, but I understand completely. I live in Tucson so I will be there, signing books and telling stories but, probably, not shaking hands–I’m old after all and part of that vulnerable demographic. Take care.
March 8, 2020 — 5:02 PM
Ed Markham says:
You mentioned signed bookplates. I would like three for the three Aftermath books I have in library. It would make me very proud. Thank you.
March 8, 2020 — 8:52 PM
terribleminds says:
Technically, this is for people who can’t make it to the book fest, but truth be told, libraries are rad, so feel free to hit me up at terribleminds at gmail. 🙂
March 9, 2020 — 7:34 AM