There will be an overall policy. 

Individuals or groups will not be making this call.

Mike

Thank you for looking out for the poor GM’s that have enough to worry about already. 

Hello All,

Thanks for all of your feedback.

We will be announcing our final health and safety plan in about a week.

Mike

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Mike

I will be there either way.  I don't allow myself to be ruled by fear or a lack of education on the subject of COVID.  If masks are optional I will be comfortable not wearing a mask.  If masks are required I will wear a mask.

To those that say they will only attend if masks are required nowhere that I have read states that you cannot wear a mask.  If you feel better wearing one then wear it.  If you don't feel comfortable attending then don't.  

Just stop this pointless argument over this issue.  The horse is long dead and has been turned to glue.

We will see what if any mask requirements Gencon has in the coming days. Only thing that would stop me from going at this point is if they do something more restrictive than what they said in their initial message that we have to be vaccinated which meant an initial cycle with an approved vaccine and having to wear a mask.

N95 masks are designed to do that which is why I wore them and only those masks during the worst of COVID.  I never caught it and I credit that to wearing a N95 mask.

Now that COVID is on the decline people can't or won't seem to believe that even being vaccinated is enough.  For those people their fear over rides their decision making ability which is why I believe they keep harping on mandating masks.

If they cannot see that there are a ton of events going on where there are no mask mandates, such as concerts, baseball games, hockey games, baksetball games, the Indy 500, etc, and there are no massive COVID outbreaks from these events, nothing will get them to see that it is their fear that prevents them from seeing this.

I imagine that we all still see a lot of people driving alone wearing a mask.  

So with all of that said this is why I say if people feel better by wearing a mask then they should wear a mask while attending Gen Con if Gen Con LLC changes their stance on mandating masks based on the current status of the virus.

This entire discussion as well as the discussion on the Fans of Gen Con group show that COVID cannot be discussed with any level of common sense or rational thought.

Here we go again. 

There is an increase in Covid-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.  There are many events that have lead to large outbreaks of infections.  The Star Wars con in Anaheim is one.  Large, indoor conventions that run over multiple days are vastly different from hours long events, many outdoors, where the crowds are largely locals. 

The CDC confirms all masks help, some more than others.  Your lack of knowledge doesn't change this.

Being vaccinated is wonderful and important, masks still help.

All your "living in fear" comments remove you from the rational thought pool.

I'm done. 

Yes I am aware of what the CDC states. The only thing I can say is that I know many people who wore cloth or paper masks who still contracted COVID. 

As far as COVID levels on the rise I’m sure there are some areas that the numbers are going up, but they are not going up across the Country. 

Awaiting the final word on the health guidelines and the end of the science debate with much anticipation.

I’m interested to see the processes put in place to enforce  masking, vaccine verification, and other safety measures.

assuming mask & vaxx  requirments will there be free masks on hand for those with non-viable mask solutions? Limited entrances to the ICC with posted security running checks for masks, badges, and vaxx proof? Stations to provide proof of vaccination and obtain a wearable visual signifier for vaxx status that can be easily checked and not easily passed to someone else? Staff/volunteers reminding people to keep their masks up inside the hall & events spaces? Posted reminders of symptoms and a request to not enter GenCon when exhibiting symptoms? 

A set of requirements will require a slew of procedures and logistics. I’m fascinated to see what they come up with.

with the state of origins’ safety measures, the issues at Star Wars Celebration, and the general state of things, I’m hopeful that the mask and vaxx requirements will be in place. We’ll see!

They ran a successful show last year with masks. Many of the things on your wish list/desired list were not present: limited entry, roving bands of security checking masks, constant reminders.  There was signage obviously and don't know about masks handed out.  

Last year, people followed the rules just fine so I have no idea why they would find it necessary to be even more intrusive, controlling and worried over compliance with masks a year later.

Thankfully the answer is coming in the next few days and everyone can move on and decide officially if they want to deal with whatever hand Gencon deals before the penalties for cancelling start.

With a potential vaxx requirement there are new challenges. They will need systems in place to check badges, masks, and vaxx status for everyone entering the indoor space without jamming thing up too much. 

Gencon sprawls beyond the ICC, itself a sprawling complex with multiple points of entry. I don’t know that they can ever do like Comic-cons (NY & San Diego) or the PAXs, which have a security entrance with bag checks and metal detectors.

There is only so much they can do before the convention security becomes a detriment to the experience, which is why we as voluntary attendees should be helpful and comply with the rules of the convention. 

If I had to guess on vax, it will just be something verified when someone does an event, goes to the hall or maybe random security viewing.   As you mentioned, with the multiple points of entry, I don't see it extending beyond you need mask, badge, vax whatever to participate in an event verified at the event rather than verified entering the ICC.
 

I wore an N95 at Gen-Con last year and despite being standing or sitting entirely too close to people for hours on end, I was fine.  Then, after getting my booster no less, I was only wearing a cloth mask when working in a well-ventilated office environment for a couple of weeks in March, never really closer than about 10 feet from anyone else, only being around like 15-20 people total, and did get it.  So yeah, I like good masks.