TOPIC: GENCON 2023 COVID Policy

I just saw this on the GENCON website, it looks like we're going back to pre-COVID policies. I for one am very happy about this, it will be great to actually see everyone's faces at GENCON including on the True Dungeon runs this year.

CONVENTION HEALTH AND SAFETY
The health and safety of Gen Con participants remains a top priority for convention organizers. Gen Con will continue to monitor the guidance of the Marion County Department of Public Health and the CDC regarding appropriate safety measures as the convention date nears. As of January 2023, Gen Con will not require proof of vaccination or masks at the 2023 convention. While continuously monitoring the situation, organizers will reserve the right to change this policy if conditions warrant at any time, including up to the start date of the convention. Masks and vaccines are strongly encouraged at Gen Con, but are not required at this time.

thanks, mike, for the update.

Its a change I am very sad to personally, my wife is Immunocompromised, so now it much much more difficult for us to make the decision to go. Even last year was a considerable gamble for us, now its a much much larger gamble :/

I am on the fence on this one. I got two exposure notification alerts on my phone last year at GenCon, which implies I played at the same table with at least two folks that were infectious last year. Prior to Covid con-crud ran rampant. My plan for now is to attend but to personally wear a mask for most games.

As someone that has had Covid in the past, I trust the vaccine will keep me from getting severely ill, but I have no desire to go through a moderate bought of Covid again... it sucked.

Impy wrote: Its a change I am very sad to personally, my wife is Immunocompromised, so now it much much more difficult for us to make the decision to go. Even last year was a considerable gamble for us, now its a much much larger gamble :/

Agreed.

I caught it last spring and my O2 level dropped below 90 within 24 hours. I’m not immune compromised and in reasonably good health. I’m glad I was vaccinated and boosted - blunting its effect. I was fortunate to get Paxlovid prescribed immediately when my O2 levels crashed. Within a few says I recovered but it was scary.

The data coming out now seems to indicate multiple Covid infections might result in progressive permanent damage. I hope this isn’t the case. If it is, then all large conventions and events may be problematic.

I was at some of those tables with Orion. Beyond those, I found out after some others I was in had people who were infected but didn’t know it.

I recommend still limiting mass exposure in crowded areas, have groups that are spending a lot of time test before the con, and insist everyone you do runs or games with be vaccinated if the event is under your control. Masks still matter - still use them. Thank you to friends who did test and didn’t come to GenCon after positive tests. I knew 5 people I had TD runs or other games with that didn’t come after positive tests. May your good karma definitely ensure you do not come back as banana slugs in your next lives

Fred

This year I'm skipping San Diego Comic Con just to make sure I don't have a repeat of last year. Missing Gen Con sucked. So yeah, this whole covid mess is still impacting my con schedule.

I'm not surprised by Gen Con's policy, and it won't stop me from attending, but it may keep me out of the exhibit hall. I'll certainly be looking for any new booster shots that may come out over the next 6 months.

I'm disappointed that they're not requiring proof of vax. I think that if they did that, then a no required masks policy would be much more reasonable, but skipping both of the two most effective precautions seems unwise.

Zorblak wrote: I'm disappointed that they're not requiring proof of vax. I think that if they did that, then a no required masks policy would be much more reasonable, but skipping both of the two most effective precautions seems unwise.

Which is part of the reason I will still be masked in crowds.

I expected it to go to mask optional, but the vaccine option surprised me. I am not surprised at small conventions who don't have the staff or expertise to audit vaccination records, but GenCon did.
That said, will I wear a mask in the dealer hall? Absolutely! In the best of days its a nasty Pandemic LARP.
Will I wear one while volunteering? Yep! You are around a lot of different folks in close proximity for many hours.
Will I wear one while playing games? Maybe. Sort of depends.
Am I up to date on vaccinations? Yep. (except FLU, which I should, but my trypanophobia is kind of winning right now. Working on it)

Small cons likely reflect local sensibilities.

Our President's Weekend con requires both. Our Memorial Weekend con doesn't require masks ... unless the GM requires them, which sounds awkward.