COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Pima County and are at their highest levels so far this year. Barely half the people in the county have received a full vaccination set. These numbers are clear evidence that we are not ready for a large-scale in-person gathering in Tucson, even with protective measures like the ones you list on your website.

Tucson Meet Yourself is a beautiful celebration of the diversity of our community. But that diversity is a huge part of why holding this event in-person would be so devastating. Because of systemic racism in healthcare, BIPOC are more likely to suffer the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, disabled people, particularly those who are immunocompromised, are at higher risk. If we truly want to respect the diversity of our community, we must protect those who are most vulnerable by defending against transmission of the virus.

We call on the Tucson Meet Yourself staff to cancel all in-person programming for the festival this year. We cannot support an in-person event that would put so many lives at risk. But whether you choose instead to hold the event virtually, as you did in 2020, or postpone or cancel this year’s festival, we will support you.