A goodly morning to everyone as we enter the third quarter of 2020, the Year of COVID-19. As I write this, my home state of South Carolina is setting records every day for increases in COVID-19 cases. We have “good” company in Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and other states. It exasperates me that some folks don’t want to mask up or social distance to prevent the spread of this virus. Here in Greenville (S.C.), employees of restaurants, bars, salons, barbershops and retail establishments must wear masks and everyone must wear a mask in grocery stores and pharmacies. Still, I saw a young man with a smug smile and no mask pushing his cart around a grocery store. I am sure he feels ten feet tall and bullet proof but I wonder if he would feel that way if one of his family members acquired the COVID-19 virus and had an extended stay in the ICU? Health care workers lead the way on wearing masks and will continue to do so. Thank you for masking up!

On a different note, everyone has been notified of the transition of our ASHHRA conference in August to a virtual event. While it makes us sad not to see each other in person, is the right thing to do. I invite all of you to register for and experience the virtual conference, Aug. 24 – 25. It is cost very effective as well, with discounts up to 25% available for group registrations from the same organization. We will have a virtual exhibit hall where you can still chat one-on-one with our business partners, and one of the best perks will be that we have six months to access any sessions we may have missed or wish to see again! As always, accreditation credits will be available for those of us who need recertification hours. To find out more, visit ASHHRA.org/VIRTUAL20.

I hope to see you in online at the virtual conference this August and be sure to save the date for Denver, April 24-27, 2021, for our rebooted in-person ASHHRA annual conference!

Be safe, be cool and mask up!

Willis E. Tisdale, CHHR, PHR, SHRM-CP
ASHHRA President, 2020