This has certainly been a difficult year for many around the world. My heart goes out to those who have endured losses unimaginable to many.

USPSA recognizes the fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on hosting events in a public space. Due to this, USPSA decided to reschedule some of the 2020 National Championship matches. We continue to believe that behavioral risk mitigation strategies are the best option for slowing the spread of this disease, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published recommendations and guidelines for mass gatherings which can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html . Helpful hints from the CDC for hand hygiene and social distancing can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.htmlO . Over 99.9% of all USPSA and Steel Challenge matches are operated by affiliated clubs, including non-profit and for-profit businesses, and individuals. USPSA and Steel Challenge affiliates, members, and match directors are encouraged to use the information available from CDC, the federal government, state governments, and local governments, coupled with their own risk tolerance levels and good judgement to guide them in what is best for matches at all levels. USPSA realizes that some matches will decide to cancel, while others may not.

If your plans do not coincide with rescheduled match dates, please be considerate and understanding as match directors make adjustments to the details surrounding their events and event policies. Contrary to popular belief, matches at all levels are largely funded by the entry fees, and expenses are paid out of the fees, often well in advance of the match. The matches and organizations hosting them, like many other businesses, need to survive long enough to continue to deliver services after the pandemic crisis is over. Please continue to support USPSA, matches, affiliates, and businesses in our space, so that we may all emerge healthy and ready for competition to resume.

Due to the Stay Home Stay Healthy Order issued by the State of Washington in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, USPSA’s office staff have been working from home. Rest assured, critical functions, most of which are done online, will remain functional during this time. Members may join and renew online, match results may still be uploaded, classifications will still be updated, and most emails and phone calls will still be answered in a timely manner by a USPSA employee. In fact, our phone lines are open, and several associates are in the rotation to answer your calls in real-time.

During this difficult time, when matches are postponed and canceled, it is important to focus ahead on the remainder of the year. Like me, many of you are catching up on reloading, firearm maintenance, and maybe even dry-fire or live-fire practice. Rest assured that USPSA and Steel Challenge are still in business, in full swing, and accepting membership renewals, affiliate applications and renewals, score uploads, classification updates, and support emails. We stand at the ready to continue to support the sport and hobby we all love, and look forward to the resurgence of many matches that are currently unavailable in some locations. I hope that each of you stay safe and focused on the things that are important. If any of us at USPSA can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Mike Foley

USPSA President and CEO