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Official Gen Con specific only Coronavirus thread

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Posted by steve_66 squirecam

#576

 squirecam wrote:The annual dealer hall stampede is not a good idea generally. Even worse to be packed in like sardines with a virus going around. There needs to be a clear line into the hall that utilizes social distancing instead of the bum rush method of the past.

I cannot see how that would work. Trying to enforce a six foot gap between people standing in line? A single file line for the dealer hall? It would wrap the building, maybe twice. Should we try a lottery for dealer hall entry times? Make it a ticketed event with start times? I can't see anything other the usual scrum actually working.

A lottery or Ticketed entry times could be an option. Spreading out vendors another. But something does need to be done. It cannot simply be business as usual.

Why can't it be business as usual, in late July? It's certainly possible that, by then, if the con is still on, things are such that it shouldn't be business as usual. It's also possible that things are such that business as usual is fine. If social distancing still needs to be a thing in July, then the Con will not happen. That's the point of social distancing--it's not a way to keep 6 feet between people going to an unnecessary vacation convention. It's a way to keep people from going to unnecessary vacation conventions at all. 6 foot rules are for grocery shopping and hospitals.If the con happens, it will only be because social distancing is no longer necessary. Ergo, the hall can run without social distancing.
I'm not predicting it will run--just pointing out the necessary connection there. The con happening will only come with a removal of the need for social distancing. If SD is still in place, no Con. And if yes Con, then no SD.

And someone wins the prize for rational thinking!

I think not. Gencon must plan for dealing with the virus aftermath. If you read the Indy article I link to above, it’s clear that the virus will not be gone in July. So there must be social distancing of some sort. And part of that plan is identifying possible recurrence of the virus, which would require temperature checks and other methods.
If people are of the “hope” that everything will be as it was before, and no restrictions will be necessary, then Gencon might as well just cancel the convention. Because it would be insane to cram 60,000 in a convention area with no thought to peoples actual welfare.
Please be realistic. There is no miracle vaccine coming before August. The virus is going to be around. So either steps are taken, some of which will require distancing or enforced lower maximums of people allowed in the dealer hall at one time, or the virus is going to have a wonderful opportunity to spread.
Wishing or hoping things were different is not a plan. Gencon should be planning NOW for how to run a safe convention in our new reality. Or cancel it if Gencon can’t or won’t take such steps.

Dude, we, as individuals, are responsible and have to take ownership of our own rationality regarding what is "safe" or "unsafe" in regards to the environments we CHOOSE to place ourselves in, or remove ourselves from. As previously stated by another poster, common sense dictates that if Social Distancing remains as a medical (and/or governmental) dictate, conventions will NOT be allowed to happen. If medical (and governmental) dictates for Social Distancing are removed, THEN public gatherings, including conventions MAY be allowed to proceed as per what was considered normal before all the hype and panic behind the Covid19 outbreak(s). {Yes, viruses present a credible threat to EVERYONE'S well being, and I have only sincere sympathy and compassion toward those who have suffered loss as a result of this, and any other contagion; however, it is NOT a governmental or corporate responsibility to shield and protect individuals. We are responsible for exercising and implementing our own precautionary measures. Speaking only for myself, I prefer to take some risks, even if it kills me, as opposed to living in a state of constant fear of leaving my front porch over "what if" …………..}

GenCon exists to give us gamers, and attendees, and event organizers a unique opportunity to mingle and have fun. If that element is sanitized and removed, whatever arises (or vanishes?) will no longer be GenCon, IMHO.

Peace and blessings

Posted by steve_66 magdalenebloom

#577

 magdalenebloom wrote:
Think on where all those thousands of attendees are coming in from - all 50 states and multiple countries all over the world. Now think on your experience walking down the halls and sidewalks of the convention center, and think further on going through the exhibit hall or sitting at a table with up to eight other people and again remember that those people come from all over the world, from countries that are doing very little testing, from countries that might still be having surges in cases. Finally, think on the fact that up to 25% of the coronavirus cases are asymptomatic, they do not know they have it and are spreading it.
I've been going to Gen Con since 1995 in Milwaukee. I definitely don't want it cancelled, but I don't want people literally dying for their games.

True that the GenCon attendees USUALLY come from all over the states and various places around the whole world, BUT, their ability to travel will directly affect whether or not they will be able to attend, whether GC opens or not …………… so many peeps seem to be in "panick" mode, for nothing. I had a 24 hour stomache ache, which I suspected occurred from something I ate ……. and I got a 2 week quarantine from my workplace, having ZERO symptoms related to this stupid virus. We all just need to enjoy a beverage of choice, and chill!!

Posted by traveller steve_66

#578

While it is true this is a nation of individuals who should take responsibility for their choices, this sadly isn't always true. If you want to discuss why please make a new topic.

It is one of the functions of government to protect its citizens, again, not on topic here so if you wish to discuss that further, please make a new topic.

Yes it is up to us all to make the decision on how we will protect ourselves from this pandemic. It is also how our choices will impact others. Even with the most trained and in many cases the best protected individuals are still getting sick and dying. So while I still have to venture out (both as an essential worker and to gather basic necessities) I take the precautions not only for myself but those around me.

As for your second complaint that some "peeps" are in a panic for nothing, causing you 2 weeks in quarantine for what was probably a simple stomach bug. I feel fo you, but given that this particular virus is hitting the human body with a number of different symptoms that may not all be present its better to err on the side of caution. Perhaps most important is to remember that you can be symptom free and still be spreading the virus.

Safe travels.

Posted by cmegus

#579

Guys (and girls),

They are going to shut this thread down if we don’t stop with the guesses and Nostradamus predictions about 3 months from now. Seriously, and throw out %s of things that you aren’t even qualified to state, much less proven. How do you know it’s 25% asymptomatic. What if it is 50% or 10%?

We have 1 week until the events get released, unless the release is delayed as well. That will tell us a lot about everything from timing to how many or how close everything will be setup to even if anyone wants to run any games.

Be patient for one week and we will know a lot more than we do now.

Posted by nascragman

#580

I need to know whether I’m legally, monetarily responsible for our groups’ events if Gen Con happens and I can’t get judges that are willing to take the risk of attending a convention with thousands of people from all over the country.

Posted by mikeptas

#581

It was that I worried GenCon won't happen. I do want it so badly - after this year so far I need it. Now I am starting to worry that even if it does happen, how many events will be scheduled? Are events getting put in? Is the volume of events down significantly? How many vendors are backing out? What sort of social distancing "hacks" will be going on? (I saw the photo of the guy with a "hat" that had pool noodles attached to cover a 6' zone around him. Entertaining to see on Facebook - annoying to navigate around in say the vendor hall. Worse maybe than the giant backpacks...)

Posted by the chronek

#582

I can't in good conscience choose to go to Gen Con this year. I know a lot of things can happen in a few months, but there's just too much uncertainty, and based on how this pandemic has so far followed the pattern of the Spanish flu over 100 years ago, I just think large gatherings of any sort will contribute to bigger disease waves in the future. My health and my family's health are far more important.

Mind you, I'm just an attendee. I don't run games, I'm not a vendor, and I'm not a Gen Con employee, so financially, I know I have much less riding on Gen Con's operations.

Hope everyone stays healthy and safe, regardless of whether Gen Con goes on this year or not.

Posted by wildcat78

#583

If we have social distancing at the con, I’m guessing the end of the Wednesday badge pickup line will be somewhere around Chicago / Lake Michigan.....

Posted by cmegus wildcat78

#584

 wildcat78 wrote:
If we have social distancing at the con, I’m guessing the end of the Wednesday badge pickup line will be somewhere around Chicago / Lake Michigan.....

If we still have social distancing, i.e. with no masks, there won’t be a Con...

Posted by polyonymous

#585

Honestly, this thread should be locked at this point. It has become non-stop posts demanding gencon be cancelled. The staff will have an announcement sooner than later. Until then, some of you need to find something relaxing, like yoga.

Posted by dballing polyonymous

#586

 polyonymous wrote:
Honestly, this thread should be locked at this point. It has become non-stop posts demanding gencon be cancelled. The staff will have an announcement sooner than later. Until then, some of you need to find something relaxing, like yoga.

The problem is that then folks will just start up dozens of parallel "ZOMG CANCEL IT NOW" or "ZOMG DON'T PANIC!" threads.

Keeping it open at least focuses all the nonsense in one easily ignore-able thread. :-)

Posted by traveller polyonymous

#587

I would but my yoga studio is closed, but its ok, my venus fly-trap has been telling me everything is getting better now... that isn't weird is it?

He says no, but sometimes, I think he is just saying that because the fern always wants to do something stupid.

Posted by mikeboozer traveller

#588

While it is true this is a nation of individuals who should take responsibility for their choices, this sadly isn't always true. If you want to discuss why please make a new topic.It is one of the functions of government to protect its citizens, again, not on topic here so if you wish to discuss that further, please make a new topic.
Yes it is up to us all to make the decision on how we will protect ourselves from this pandemic. It is also how our choices will impact others. Even with the most trained and in many cases the best protected individuals are still getting sick and dying. So while I still have to venture out (both as an essential worker and to gather basic necessities) I take the precautions not only for myself but those around me.
As for your second complaint that some "peeps" are in a panic for nothing, causing you 2 weeks in quarantine for what was probably a simple stomach bug. I feel fo you, but given that this particular virus is hitting the human body with a number of different symptoms that may not all be present its better to err on the side of caution. Perhaps most important is to remember that you can be symptom free and still be spreading the virus.
Safe travels.

Steve and traveller stop bring up old post long beaten to death.

Mike

Posted by ckalinwi polyonymous

#589

I think all we're asking for is an announcement about when the major announcement would be.

For example, Origins announced in mid March that they're making a go/no-go decision by May 1st - which made everyone calm down a bit - and then ended up announcing the October postponement in early April anyway. (So much for that "force majeure" clause that everyone assumes is waiting to torpedo any Con that makes the call on their own - do you really think the GCCC is going to soak them for the cancellation and then make them pay again to use the facilities in October? Surely they worked out an agreeable accommodation.)

Simply saying "we're waiting to see what the state says"... well, the state might be on a completely different timetable than the kind of lead time a con needs. They might announce on July 15th that all major events can resume by July 30th. That's not very helpful to us, the Con, or the local businesses, is it?

That's all I've been saying, at least.

Posted by aaronmlopez

#590

My theory is that all of the people who are demanding that Gen Con make a decision to cancel are ones who did not get a downtown hotel... because I certainly don't see any of those coming available!

Posted by mikeboozer ckalinwi

#591

 ckalinwi wrote:

I think all we're asking for is an announcement about when the major announcement would be.For example, Origins announced in mid March that they're making a go/no-go decision by May 1st - which made everyone calm down a bit - and then ended up announcing the October postponement in early April anyway. (So much for that "force majeure" clause that everyone assumes is waiting to torpedo any Con that makes the call on their own - do you really think the GCCC is going to soak them for the cancellation and then make them pay again to use the facilities in October? Surely they worked out an agreeable accommodation.)
Simply saying "we're waiting to see what the state says"... well, the state might be on a completely different timetable than the kind of lead time a con needs. They might announce on July 15th that all major events can resume by July 30th. That's not very helpful to us, the Con, or the local businesses, is it?
That's all I've been saying, at least.

You're just going to have to wait until were ready.