Many Broadway Theaters To Drop Vaccine Mandate In May. — Page 5

HogansHero said: "Jordan Catalano said: "It makes no sense. But like a lot of things with so many of us, our comfort levels are all over the place and make no sense if we really stop to think about them."

I think it is important to recognize this. Not everyone is the same (by a long shot) and most of us have been through a lot psychologically while riding the covid roller coaster. I think it is important that we be aware of the science including he science of our own minds, even though that does not mean we act with full rationality. I also think it is important to be respectful of others who are at a different place along the continuum (so long as their choices do not adversely affect our own well-being)."

I have been fascinated by the psychology of crowds on this. I attended a convention for work (vaccination was checked) where attendees went from wearing masks in the morning to taking them off in the afternoon.(I kept mine on.) I watched an older crowd applaud the abandonment of vaccine requirements and masks at Feinstein’s at the Nikko in San Francisco on the day the city dropped mandates. A few days later, everyone wore masks at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Curran, a few blocks away. A Berkeley Rep worker, checking vaccines and masks, thanked my wife and I when we saw the new musical Swept Away there, as others had been giving the poor guy a hard time.

This thread alone gives one a clear view of the divergence of views. I fall on the spectrum of being more cautious while trying to see theater I really want to see. I’m not ready to attend crowded theaters for fun without vaccine and mask requirements, because it wouldn’t be enjoyable for me. Maybe I’m too cautious. Maybe Long COVID won’t be a problem for the vaccinated and boosted. Maybe the risks aren’t as serious as I believe. But my family is in the midst of a Covid scare right now.

We’re all different, and no one has a monopoly on rationality. Theater is just different. It’s crowded and indoors. It was always going to be the toughest one for me, especially because I have to pay to attend. The new Broadway policy is too lax for me, unless I get more information, but no one is forcing me to spend thousands of dollars to go. Honestly, I hope my cautiousness is misplaced.

bwayplays said: "“get a grip”? Who actually says that anymore. I’ve yet to talk to one person from Philly who’s happy about him reinstating the mask mandate. CDC has Philly in the low category anyway so there’s no reason for him to reinstate it. All he’s doing is trying to reintroduce covid fear and change the discussion back to covid. He can’t get crime under control so let’s talk about something he can control- covid mandates."

Firstly, it doesn't matter if people say that anymore. Don't use it if you don't like it but many of us used that's term and some still do. Also, I am from PA, lived in and around Philly and family is still there. My friends and family in Philly are fine with masks being reinstated.

It was just announced that the US surpassed 100k cases for this week. First time the US hit this mark since early February. However, the death rate and hospitalizations fr COVID are still dropping. It's a double edged sword with this new variant.

More contagious than Omicron but the symptoms are less serious, especially for those that are vaccinated. All this while allergy season is getting in to full swing. If Broadway were to drop the mask mandate, not sure I'd still attend.

Most people don’t want to live in terror forever - we don’t have a pandemic any longer - their are next to zero hospitalizations currently - we have a testing obsession - I work on Broadway- I got Covid in December with the 3 vaccines and the vaccinated only policy and the masks - I could not care less if they check for vaccines or enforce mask mandates - at this point - if you are that terrified ( even though you got the vaccine ) you are suffering from trauma and need to seek help or simply stay home - most people are done with this - it’s like a cult at this point- vaccine mandates don’t keep you safer - this had zero basis in reality - as December proved - when every other person I worked with on Broadway got the virus- if you are vaccinated- being near someone unvaccinated is not any more dangerous than being on a theater with only vaccinated - this is reality - if you think otherwise you are delusional - suffering from some kind of PTSD and need help

As long as Equity continues to keep rules in place, that “obsession” affects our industry. I work on Broadway too, and I’m willing to do what it takes to prevent closures and canceled performances. When asymptomatic performers are allowed to perform while infected, then I’m ready to unmask, etc. It isn’t about being obsessed or traumatized or afraid - I want to be able to continue working. And I need to.

I'm on the fence, re: b'way theaters dropping the vaccine mandate.

but there is so much misinformation on this thread - that it truly boggles the mind.

BroadwayPatriot said: "The vaccines and masks did nothing to stop endless cancellations in December - after this knowledge has been obtained - why bother ? If anything- testing should be the only thing which benefits anyone - and most if not all other forms of indoor venues - restaurants- concerts etc are not asking for anything any longer - and we are not seeing entire crowds of hockey or music concert fans getting sick - so why bother ?"

Uh, this comment makes no sense. The vaccines and mask mandates don't have anything to do with keeping performers safe. They have to do with keeping the audience safe.

Hairspray0901 said: "BroadwayPatriot said: "You can go to any event at MSG - Beacon - any concert or comedy show - no tests - no masks - no vaccine required- thousands are not dropping dead and super spreading -,why is Broadway any different ? You people are traumatized to the point on no reasoning any longer"

This is incorrect. I know 3 different people who went to a concert at MSG with no mask mandate in December and all got Covid from there. That was the super spreader."



Sorry, but that is 100% b*lls**t. First, it is impossible to ascertain where anyone "caught" Covid (unless your 3 "friends" spend their lives in plastic bubbles and only came out of them once inside MSG for those few hours and then went right back inside of them before leaving the arena (which I doubt was the case). Second, even if it were the case, 3 cases out of 20,000 is not a "super spreader". You seem to be one of the aforementioned people who may have PTSD from Covid and may require therapy in order to move on with your life.

Mark_E said: "pagereynolds said: "Mark_E said: "The only frustrating thing about the mask mandate has been how foggy my glasses get. Otheriwse, I bought some very comfy masks from the disney store and they've been fine.

It has been nice to be maskless in the West End though, i'd say around 90% of audiences choosing not to wear one now that they are optional (and no, I haven't caught covid that I know of)."

If you're wearing a mask from the Disney store, they are probably cloth and those useless. Any KN95 or better with fog spray on your glasses should work fine."

And yet, they are allowed to be used. It seems a majority of people use a cloth mask - I have no desire to wear a KN95 mask and be uncomfortable. If they are useless then by default, the mask mandate is also useless."

I've seen about 20 shows on Broadway since September, and it's VERY rare to see someone wearing a cloth mask.

Mark_E said: "Interesting. I've done 26 across Broadway/Off-Broadway and the majority seem to be either cloth/home-made fabric masks or blue/black surgical masks, not the more intrusive KN95 masks."

LOL, okay. Sure.

I will also say I see VERY few K95’s when I’m in the theatre.

Mark_E said: "Interesting. I've done 26 across Broadway/Off-Broadway and the majority seem to be either cloth/home-made fabric masks or blue/black surgical masks, not the more intrusive KN95 masks."

Intrusive? How exactly do you think KN95s are worn?