Internal Memo to Our Members

We resumed our weekly milonga this June, reflecting our determination to face the challenges of the pandemic with positivity, our confidence in managing the situation, and our trust in one another as a community. While COVID-19 remains a long-term reality, we refuse to let it prevent us from living and dancing. However, to ensure this, we must remain vigilant and take proactive measures to protect ourselves and each other.

The challenges we face extend beyond the virus itself. We are also contending with the selfish and irresponsible behaviors of many individuals in this country. Prioritizing personal liberties over collective safety, these individuals continue to travel, attend gatherings, and resist basic precautions such as wearing masks, practicing social distancing, adhering to quarantine measures, and getting vaccinated. As a result, despite being the wealthiest nation with some of the best medical resources and professionals globally, the United States has recorded over 50 million confirmed cases and more than 800,000 deaths—an unparalleled toll worldwide. Comparatively, China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has successfully contained the virus, while the U.S., with just a quarter of that population, still reports over 200,000 new cases daily. It is evident that ideology has played a significant role in exacerbating the impact of the virus here.

Amid such circumstances, many public tango events, including festivals, marathons, and encuentros, have resumed or are preparing to resume in this country. We believe that this is ill-advised at present. Large gatherings of strangers from various locations, dancing in close embrace, substantially increase the risk of transmission. Just one infected individual could spread the virus to everyone present, who might then carry it to hotels, restaurants, airplanes, and their homes. Instead, we believe tango during the pandemic is best enjoyed in small, private milongas among dancers who know each other well and adhere to strict precautions. Groups should remain separate to minimize cross-infection.

In light of these considerations, we have established the following rules for our gatherings during the pandemic:

1. Our events are temporarily closed to the public. Please refrain from bringing guests or new participants.

2. All participants must be fully vaccinated, including receiving the booster shot.

3. Masks must be worn, and hands should be sanitized frequently throughout the gathering.

4. Participants should only attend this group’s events and avoid other tango groups to prevent cross-infection.

5. Preventive measures should be followed in daily life, and risky activities should be avoided.

6. Self-quarantine for seven days is required if you display symptoms or may have exposed yourself to risks, such as attending social gatherings, traveling by plane, staying in hotels, or dining in restaurants. A negative COVID-19 test is necessary before rejoining the group.

7. All participants must remain vigilant and responsible team members.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and commitment to keeping our community safe. Let’s continue dancing responsibly and fostering trust within our group.