April 2022 - 7

IN Box
Wristbands are a hassle
Tournament volunteers are to be
thanked and appreciated, but they
should also be trained and hospitable.
I recently attended a regional
where, per ACBL policy, proof of vaccination
(and masks) was required.
Upon checking in, wristbands were
issued to all players, and they were to
be shown/worn in the playing area to
demonstrate vaccination status.
Prior to day four of my attendance,
I had a vigorous workout, and the
wristband was uncomfortable to
wear, thus, I took it off. Upon entering
the playing area, I went to the registration
desk to replace it. I told the
folks at the desk that I was already
registered, but when I requested a
replacement, I was told that I was
not supposed to take it off. They also
asked me why did I not bring the
broken bracelet as proof. I said it was
unreasonable to expect me to wear it
during a sweaty workout.
I felt that I was being harangued
over the replacement, even though
they did eventually provide one, but
the entire situation was ridiculous.
The proper way to handle my request
was simply to verify my status and
say, " Here it is, have a good game. "
WILLIAM S. COOK
Louisville KY
Bring back the online
partnership desk
When I first tried the current
version of the ACBL website last year,
I searched for the same partnership
desk that had worked well for me
in the past. Unfortunately, I soon
discovered that there was no partnership
desk available online.
Members seeking an online partner
using ACBL resources were out of
luck. Similarly, those seeking a partner
for a live game at a tournament
could now only use the ACBL's
antiquated system of having a volunteer
screen potential partners.
(By contrast, the ACBL's method of
posting names on a notice board on
the day of the game works well.)
In these times of ever-increasing
gains in technology, which promotes
interaction and communication in
our everyday lives, there should be
an online open-topic forum on which
any member can post his or her views
on any issues arising. The mere fact
that I had to write this letter to the
editor rather than post my concerns
online demonstrates the long overdue
need for change. Had such a forum
been available, I would have requested
there that the partnership desk
at acbl.org be reinstated. I also think
that members should be permitted to
buy bridge-related personal advertisements
online, which could be limited
in size and automatically deleted
after a prescribed period of time.
I believe these changes would
transform our website into one that
members would utilize far more
often. As well, it could present an
opportunity for advertising revenue.
GREG LIEBMAN
Palm Beach Gardens FL
Vaccine-optional events?
I read in the January issue that the
ACBL had a loss of over 10,000 members
in 2021. I hate that we have lost
members as a result of COVID.
Before the pandemic, I played in
four or five sectionals and regionals
a year, and I've played in 15 or so
NABCs as well.
I can't play in any ACBL tournaments
because I have had COVID
and do not wish to take a shot, but
the ACBL requires the jab to play in
person. I can't play in club games for
the same reason.
I have a suggestion. In states and
cities that allow people to congregate
indoors without being vaccinated,
why not offer a choice of games?
There can be vaccinated-only games
and no-vaccine-required games.
People can pick. The same with clubs
and tournaments. If given a choice,
I'd play in person.
BOB WILKIN
Dallas TX
Live play needs to
come back soon
For more than two years, all we
read and hear about is online bridge,
which is understandable. In Chatham-Kent
ON, however, we have
about 125 bridge players. As a local
organizer, I know that 40% of them
do not play online, and of that 40%,
half are not computer savvy.
Keeping in mind the average age
at our club is about 75, I think it's
time to focus totally on face-to-face
bridge. We began reopening to live
play this past October, following all
the guidelines in place by the Ontario
government: tables 6 feet apart, face
masks on, hand sanitizers at every
table, and everyone vaccinated.
We have had no issues, and others
are following our lead. We need to
get seniors back playing live bridge
or we'll regret the mental-health
consequences of not doing so. In discussions
with Bill Gates at the NABC
in Austin, he concurred that playing
in-person duplicate bridge is the
medicine we all need to avoid mental-health
issues down the road.
It can be done, and done safely,
and the players will return. Across
ACBL-land, that should be our focus
without delay.
GARY ROBERTSON
Blenheim ON
Way to go, George
I just got the February issue of the
Bridge Bulletin, and I saw the great
cover photo and even better article
about George Jacobs. What a deserving
choice for Honorary Member of
the Year. I'm so pleased to see this.
April 2022 | Bridge Bulletin |
7
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http://www.acbl.org
April 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2022
