Threaded Order Chronological Order
| re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July | |
| Posted by: mknyc76 12:46 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
| In reply to: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July - Official_Press_Release 12:17 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
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| I feel like this is the unpopular opinion, but the realistic one: Broadway is really just catching up to the rest of New York. Mask-wearing on the subway is at 50% or less, by my guess, even though the MTA technically still requires masks. Other mass transit services have already waived mask requirements. And most restaurants, movie theaters, gyms, bars and clubs don't require masks. And, personally, I don't think I know anyone who masks 100% of the time anymore - even those with the best intentions and health concerns. Should the League enforce masks in the future if there is another wave? Absolutely - and they've indicated that they will review monthly. So that's good. Most of us did the socially and physically responsible thing and have kept masked, gotten vaccinated and boosted, and exercised caution. We did it to protect ourselves and to protect our community. We've earned the right now to weigh the risks and make our own informed decision as we transition to the virus being a daily part of life for the foreseeable future. If you know you're sick - stay home. If you feel better wearing a mask at the theatre, wear a mask. If you have to wear a mask due to your personal health conditions, wear the mask. |
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| re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July | |
| Last Edit: Shutterbug 08:31 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
| Posted by: Shutterbug 08:29 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July - mknyc76 12:46 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
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| I find this change in policy very disconcerting. Personally I will be very uneasy returning to a venue where masking is optional. First, there is no guarantee that people who feel sick will do the right thing and stay home. We hope they will, but some might not. If they are masked, they will be less likely to make others sick. Second, even if I wear a mask - unless it’s an N95 with a tight seal - the protection is minimal to me. The mask prevents my respiratory droplets from being dispersed but doesn’t really protect me from the droplets of others who are not masked. Masking with surgical or other masks is only effective when everyone is masking. Third, the vaccines and boosters have proven less effective against omicron and its more recent variants, which is why we have been seeing people come down with COVID two (and even three) times despite being vaxxed and boosted. People may not be getting as sick, but they are still contracting it despite the vaccines, which were developed prior to the current variants. Fourth, I know several people who have contracted the omicron variant of COVID and who are dealing with lingering after effects for months. As much as we would like to think it’s like getting a cold or a flu. It’s not. Ask anyone e dealing with long COVID. I have several friends in this category, and the struggle is real. Many don’t get long COVID. There are many who are asymptomatic or only mildly ill from it, but who wants to take that risk? I don’t. There’s so much we are still learning about this virus and it’s impact on the brain and body over time. I have friends who are still fatigued, having problems with brain fog, and problems with taste/smell months after contracting omicron during the December wave. And, yes, they were all vaxxed and boosted. Masking isn’t just for show, it actually keeps the germs contained to a certain extent. If I’m the only one wearing a mask, that’s for show. It won’t protect me. The only viable option is not to attend live theater. Again. And that makes me really sad. PS - I am fully vaxxed and boosted x 2. |
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| re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July | |
| Posted by: mknyc76 10:22 am EDT 06/22/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July - Shutterbug 08:29 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
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| Just to follow up: I'm fully vaccinated, double boosted, and have long Covid from my bout with Omicron. I did it all "right". So I hear you. I hear all of the theatre fans who want to participate in their favorite artform. | |
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| re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July | |
| Posted by: Ann 10:41 am EDT 06/22/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July - mknyc76 10:22 am EDT 06/22/22 | |
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| I'm so sorry to hear you have long covid. There are just too many unknowns. Hope you recover soon. | |
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| re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July | |
| Posted by: mikem 12:59 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July - mknyc76 12:46 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
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| You’re talking about the people who did the responsible thing over the pandemic: got vaccinated and boosted, taking appropriate precautions, staying away from people if they are sick. If I knew I was sitting with those people for two to three hours, that would be a completely different situation. | |
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| re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July--and London | |
| Posted by: Showtunegal 02:46 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July - mikem 12:59 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
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| First, my preference would be to have the mask requirement stay. I feel more comfortable that way, and I see one or two things in the average week. However, I attended several shows in London this spring (where there was no vaccination or mask requirement) and last October (where there was a vaccine requirement but no mask requirement). At both times, almost no one was masked in the theater. I counted 3 masked people including myself at the Sondheim tribute on May 3rd, for example. In fact I thought thought then that London was being shockingly irresponsible--most people were also unmasked on the subway (only a few mask wearers), and you weren't even required to isolate or even stay home if you had Covid! . ANYWAY, my point is, London's Covid has not spiked--it was higher in May than it is now, in spite of the complete lack of precautions. So, while I will still be wearing my mask in the theater and I dearly wish others would, maybe, just maybe, relaxing of mask requirements won't cause the problems we all fear. I guess we'll see! | |
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| re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July | |
| Posted by: mknyc76 01:06 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July - mikem 12:59 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
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| Right. So if you're more comfortable wearing a mask for your own protection, then wear it. Nobody is saying "you must be maskless to enter this theatre". | |
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| re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July | |
| Last Edit: Chromolume 06:54 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 06:52 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July - mknyc76 01:06 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
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| if you're more comfortable wearing a mask for your own protection, then wear it. Nobody is saying "you must be maskless to enter this theatre". Right. Wearing a mask still affords the wearer protection. I understand the fears of those who would rather that we all remain masked. But at some point the decision has to be made that life can go on without constant masking. And I think that for some people, there will never ever be a right time for that. So how do we deal with that? I certainly don't wish anyone to severely risk their health, but at the same time, I think we also need to learn how to live with some risk in general. Covid is not going away. But it's also not the severe death sentence it was in 2020, and medications are being developed (along with the vaccines). Please continue to wear a mask at the theatre if you feel it's important for you. No one will stop you. I still carry a mask with me at all times, and assess each situation as I feel I need to. (And Boston theatres are still requiring masks.) But I also think it's time that we stop judging people who choose not to wear them. |
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| re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July | |
| Posted by: djiles12 04:13 pm EDT 06/22/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Broadway Announces Optional Mask Policy for July - Chromolume 06:52 pm EDT 06/21/22 | |
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| As ticket prices continue to rise in Boston for Speakeasy and Lyric Stage, as well as for things at the Huntington and North Shore (Even Reagle Theater is coming in at like $60 bucks a seat), I havent been to the theater in quite a few years. However, with theaters still requiring masks I will definitely not be attending theater any time soon. | |
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