Official Gen Con specific only Coronavirus thread
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Posted by rfsullivan wildcat78

wildcat78 wrote:
3.  Serious question here - will it be considered insensitive to cosplay as "plague doctor" and "diseased zombie" etc... those who have lost family/friends/loved ones to the virus?  There are already certain restrictions on the cosplay / costume contest - maybe something to consider?
 

I imagine it would come down to staff discretion; plague doctor isn't that confrontational or provocative on it's own, but a zombie wearing a t-shirt saying "I went to the anti-lockdown protest and all I got was dead" would probably be subjected to greater scrutiny. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't considered a plague doctor cosplay, or a set of biohazard gear made up to look like CEDA or Umbrella Corporation hardware. 

That said, some of the standing rules would be applicable. The rule against 20/21st century uniforms (which is worded specifically to include non-military/non-police uniforms like paramedics) would be applicable anyone dressing up like CDC staff, for instance. 

Posted by tinabear81

Is a 12ft diameter, climate controlled bubble with its own air filtration and supply system too much?

Posted by lore seeker tinabear81

tinabear81 wrote:
Is a 12ft diameter, climate controlled bubble with its own air filtration and supply system too much?

Bubble Boy writ large? That might require a setup similar to the "Days of Future Past" Sentinel cosplayer I saw one year (with spotters in front of and behind him clearing a path).

Posted by oldcurmudgeonstudios cloak72

cloak72 wrote:
father bloodlust wrote:
wildcat78 wrote:
3.  Serious question here - will it be considered insensitive to cosplay as "plague doctor" and "diseased zombie" etc... those who have lost family/friends/loved ones to the virus?  There are already certain restrictions on the cosplay / costume contest - maybe something to consider?

Yeah, I'm thinking that kinda thing might be in poor taste/too soon.Along those same lines, I've actually kind of wondered if post-apocalyptic fiction in general (whether video games, RPGs, movies, or whatever) has lost its appeal for some people in these times.
Sensitivities are an individual thing.    Will someone get offended/hurt?   Definitely.   In a crowd as big as GenCon (even on a scaled down size) you will get someone who's going to get offended by just about anything....   Does that mean you should/shouldn't do it?   Depends on how you feel about it.   It's not a bad thing to keep other's feelings in mind, but one also shouldn't walk on eggshells constantly worrying about everyone else's feelings.   Like I said about, someone is gonna get offended.As for the bleaker games losing popularity, I think that you might be surprised.   There's a lot of therapeutic value in confronting issues through a narrative, and gaining at least the appearance of control.   It's just as possible that they will become more popular as people seek to "overcome" the problems that we're facing.

Depends on your sensitivities. I could look like Hitler's stunt double, if I combed my hair down across my forehead and shaved my mustache to a square, but I don't. Seriously, it's scary. I don't because it's still pretty insensitive, even though we're 70+ years from WWII. Food for thought.

Posted by fiddlemaster

I like going back to Page 1 of this thread and seeing how many people were so sure 2 months ago that GenCon would definitely not be canceled....

Then ComicCon gets canceled for late July...

Then GenCon postpones event registration day...

There is absolutely no way a large gathering event is going to be a smart idea in just 3 months away....I wish GenCon authorities would just stop dragging this out. 

Posted by jimdigris

Getting back to the plague doctor question, I advise against it.  I know people who have lost parents and it could still be an open wound for people who have been through similar circumstances. You wouldn't like it if someone reminded you of something profoundly painful just for fun.  It is best to show the same consideration to others.

Posted by matthias9 fiddlemaster

fiddlemaster wrote:
I like going back to Page 1 of this thread and seeing how many people were so sure 2 months ago that GenCon would definitely not be canceled....
Then ComicCon gets canceled for late July...
Then GenCon postpones event registration day...
There is absolutely no way a large gathering event is going to be a smart idea in just 3 months away....I wish GenCon authorities would just stop dragging this out. 

Come on, man.  I just reread the whole first page.  I don't see a single person there saying Gen Con would definitely not be cancelled.  

 

Posted by fiddlemaster matthias9

Third post on the first page?  

matthias9 wrote:Come on, man.  I just reread the whole first page.  I don't see a single person there saying Gen Con would definitely not be cancelled.  
grellden wrote:
tarn wrote:
Is GENCON shutting down because of the virus?
No.Read the first post

Posted by matthias9

Lol.  That doesn't say that person DEFINITELY thinks Gen Con is not being canceled.  They are just replying to a question and saying it isn't canceled at this point. Like they said, read the first post....  That's the best you've got?!

And you were commenting on "how many people were so sure 2 months ago".  So HOW MANY is it?  Zero?

You seem to have it in your head that people were sure.  But that's just your head.  When you actually read it, what people were actually saying is stuff like "it's February...too early to know".

I get it -- you want to say 'I told you so'.  But you apparently never read what they were saying thoroughly. 

Posted by stahlnee fiddlemaster

fiddlemaster wrote:
I like going back to Page 1 of this thread and seeing how many people were so sure 2 months ago that GenCon would definitely not be canceled....
Then ComicCon gets canceled for late July...
Then GenCon postpones event registration day...
There is absolutely no way a large gathering event is going to be a smart idea in just 3 months away....I wish GenCon authorities would just stop dragging this out. 

Why are you pointing at one of many parties to the decision to have GenCon?

There is the state of Indiana, city of Indianapolis, GenCon and many other entities that are in this together.

Posted by traveller

Somehow I see this as Mike's new avatar...

[img]https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ban-hammer.jpg?w=1200&strip=all[/img]

Posted by mjlaba48

Folks, Gencon is 3 months away.  Every week new treatments and data is guiding the decision makers as to what to do. So let us stop all this “ you gotta cancel Gencon proclamations “.  Flights and hotels can be cancelled over a month from now.  Plenty of time to see if we can have a safe Gencon with very minimal risks. I am 71 years old, in great health and will take all precautions if Gencon is held. There is as much traffic in our grocery and Walmart stores where I live in Florida approaching a Gencon crowd. With maybe a fourth wearing masks.  It has been like this for over a month now and our cases per population tested keeps going down.  So let’s see what progress is made as to be safe in a convention setting.

Posted by grtbrt

I don't think that a plague doctor costume is odd or even in poor taste .
 
Of course the civil authorities might look at it differently. There was a person wandering around an English town dressed as one earlier in the week .
as the police put it -no offence had been committed ,BUT officers were " keen to trace the individual in order to provide words of advice about the implications of his actions on the local community " 

Posted by dwintheiser

I will say, the guy walking around the re-opened beaches in Florida dressed as the Grim Reaper is a pretty darkly humorous cosplay, though I don't think the underlying message is one that will translate to GenCon.

https://loudwire.com/lawyer-grim-reaper-protest-florida-beach-reopening/

Posted by rfsullivan dwintheiser

dwintheiser wrote:
I will say, the guy walking around the re-opened beaches in Florida dressed as the Grim Reaper is a pretty darkly humorous cosplay, though I don't think the underlying message is one that will translate to GenCon.
https://loudwire.com/lawyer-grim-reaper-protest-florida-beach-reopening/

Considering the number of people on here talking about how even running the con at all is a bad idea, I wouldn't be shocked if one (likely an Indy local who didn't need to foot a hotel bill for a prank) showed up so dressed as an act of protest. I also expect endless rounds of "I told you so" if the con gets canned, or people start reporting symptoms after they get home.

Related, I've heard it suggested that (if proper filters are installed) an inflatable costume would make pretty good protection, since it's basically the same underlying hardware/principle as a personal overpressure suit. Of course, it wouldn't do shit to protect anyone else if the wearer is infected; their own, diseased air would get blown unfiltered out any small tears or rough seams in the getup if they weren't wearing a cloth mask underneath.

Posted by wildcat78

With tens of thousands of people at the con, there will be people who have lost loved ones in the pandemic.  I cannot help but think how terrible it would be for someone in that demographic to see a “germ inspired” cosplay and they breakdown in tears.  Everyone deserves to have a safe and enjoyable con.  
 

Posted by vulcanspock

there is already comedy about covid on the late night talk shows.  and on facebook memes.  not sure why gencon cosplay would be held to a different standard.  it is easy to find something to be offended about if that is your goal.

Posted by nascragman vulcanspock

mollymolly wrote:
there is already comedy about covid on the late night talk shows.  and on facebook memes.  not sure why gencon cosplay would be held to a different standard.  it is easy to find something to be offended about if that is your goal.

Those that have been directly affected by the pandemic would likely not find the humor in such things.  The key to comedy is tragedy plus time.  The pandemic will still be ongoing in August so it seems quite insensitive.  On the other hand, I doubt anyone who has actually experienced the death and suffering will be attending if the convention happens.

Posted by wildcat78 vulcanspock

mollymolly wrote:
there is already comedy about covid on the late night talk shows.  and on facebook memes.  not sure why gencon cosplay would be held to a different standard.  it is easy to find something to be offended about if that is your goal.

A person can choose not to watch a late night comedy show.   People can’t choose to un-see cosplayers in the halls at the con.

it just seems like we do so much to create a pleasant environment for con attendees in many other ways - this seems like a small & sensible step to take.

But I also get the slippery slope argument that you have to ban any virus or plague related t shirts, etc....  

I suppose I’m glad I don’t have to make the decision.
 

Posted by stahlnee nascragman

nascragman wrote:
mollymolly wrote:
there is already comedy about covid on the late night talk shows.  and on facebook memes.  not sure why gencon cosplay would be held to a different standard.  it is easy to find something to be offended about if that is your goal.

Those that have been directly affected by the pandemic would likely not find the humor in such things.  The key to comedy is tragedy plus time.  The pandemic will still be ongoing in August so it seems quite insensitive.  On the other hand, I doubt anyone who has actually experienced the death and suffering will be attending if the convention happens.
Comedy and tragedy are opposites.

Everyone makes their own choices. Guessing what someone else may do or not do is a guess
 

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