Official Postponement Statement from the Barefoot Runners Society regarding 2020 International Barefoot Running Day and COVID-19
It is becoming increasingly apparent that the recommendation to cancel public gatherings is rising all around the world by many governing bodies, top companies, and health organizations such as the WHO (World Health Organization) and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). We are no different. In fact, here are some eye-opening event cancellation lists:
- Extensive list of Concerts, Festivals & Tours Cancelled: https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/touring/9323647/concerts-canceled-coronavirus-list
- Ever-updating list of Gatherings, Events & Sporting Venues Cancelled: https://www.nytimes.com/article/cancelled-events-coronavirus.html
- More: https://www.vulture.com/2020/03/events-cancelled-coronavirus.html
It’s time to do the right thing though, the responsible thing. So, with that said, it is with a heavy mind that the Barefoot Runners Society has decided to postpone this year’s 2020 International Barefoot Running Day until a vaccine has been procured and the pandemic status on COVID-19 has been downgraded.
We can all do our part by lessening our impact and transmission of this disease by not gathering together. The BRS’s recommendation is that you wait to run in groups until this virus is under control, but we realize that people are going to run whether we wish them to or not (hopefully, responsibly). Of course, if you are ill, please stay home.
Please follow this advice from the WHO to protect yourself and others from getting sick:
This is temporary. We will get through this. There will be another IBRD!
Stay well!
TJ
P.S. If you would like to share in this discussion, there will be one thread dedicated to this topic here: https://www.thebarefootrunners.org/threads/the-coronavirus-international-barefoot-running-day.22277/