After having attended two MAA Spring Section Meetings in-person, one in Rome, Georgia and the other in Bellingham, WA (day 1, day 2) it is a little bit of a let down to have this weekend’s meeting be remote.
I’m not inspired to attend the same way I would be for a gathering in real life. For me its about making connections, celebrating mathematics, and being in community. I shouldn’t complain. There were good reasons for the switch.
COVID’s delta variant led the American Mathematical Society (AMS) to cancel their January Math Meeting, pivoting to virtual at a later date. The announcement of their new plans coincided with the omicron wave and the chosen date conflicted with the planned Rocky Mountain Section (RMS) meeting. So the Rocky Mountain Section leadership moved their meeting date and changed modality to play it safe. The time is now (well, tomorrow actually) and they way is virtual.
Time for an emotional inventory. I’m feeling…
- sad, disappointed, and lonely that I will only interact through a screen;
- jealous of anyone who is travelling this weekend;
- nostalgic for the way things were;
- appreciative for the common sense and care taken by RMS leadership in making a difficult decision.
<pause for the pre-meeting for the meeting>
I just finished attending the RMS Executive Board meeting. I met new people and had interesting, important conversations–just like I am supposed to as the official “section visitor.” It has buoyed me up. I think I will add optimistic to my emotional inventory.
I will attend this meeting with an open heart and celebrate every success.
Cover Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/collage-of-portraits-of-cheerful-woman-3807758/
Math in the Time of Corona 
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