Concerts

[LexieCat]

I had three tickets for concerts this summer/fall--two of which I'd bought last year with the events rescheduled to August/September, and the third (for August) i bought a few months ago.

Well, I missed the two for August--both venues "encouraged" sick people to stay home and "encouraged" masks and vaccines, but were not requiring/enforcing those. I wasn't taking any chances at a crowded, indoor venue under those conditions.

The third concert (Clannad--a Celtic music group on its farewell tour) is at the Fillmore in Philadelphia at the end of September. The Fillmore is requiring masks AND proof of vaccination or negative COVID test within 72 hours. In addition to those requirements, Clannad fans are less likely to be drunk/high/rowdy than those attending a rock or punk concert--more likely, IOW, to be following the rules.

So right now I THINK I will go, with the notion that I'll leave if people are ignoring the rules. I'd really like to see this group--I've never seen them live and this will be my only chance. Of course, this is subject to change if conditions warrant. 

Remember when having fun was less complicated?

[Judy M2]

With the protocols they have in place, I'd be more comfortable too. If all businesses did that, I'd be inclined to go places like restaurants. Everywhere we go is a calculation of risk these days. Just wear a good mask and enjoy! 

[LUNGevityKristin]

I have been working concerts in concessions at an outdoor venue in the Chicago area for the past month to raise money for my daughter's dance team.  It's an outdoor venue and Live Nation is making all shows require proof of negative test/vaccination starting next month.  Until then each performer can set their own rules.  There have been concerts that have been half full where it seems really safe to be in the crowd where people are masking and others that are packed without a mask in sight.  All of this to say, if you go with the mindset of "if I don't feel comfortable I'll leave" you should definitely give it a try.  Next weekend the Jonas Brothers are requiring proof of vaccine but Alanis Morisette is not. It's a confusing time to try to have fun for sure!

[LexieCat]

Yeah, Alanis Morissette was one of the ones I missed--I'd never seen her live, so that was a disappointment. Modest Mouse is the other one I missed, which was a couple days after my birthday, so that was disappointing, too, though I have seen them before. One of these shows was in NJ, the other in Philadelphia--both Live Nation, and neither requiring masks (though they bragged all over the website about the hand sanitizer they had available--that's nice, but masks/vaccines way more important to prevent spread).

[LouT]

Navigating any kind of venue, restaurant or other gathering can be more complex today, but your Clannad concert seems to have what you are looking for.  After having to miss two other ones I hope you get to go and enjoy it.  

Lou 

[Rower Michelle]

Actually, driving on the Turnpike is probably the riskiest part of your life… so I say go for it! 

[LexieCat]

Fortunately, it's pretty rare I have to take the Turnpike to get anywhere these days. Usually it would be to head up to North Jersey or NY. Most of my travel these days is to Phila or around South Jersey, so it's rare to take the Tpk.

[Tom Galli]

Lexie,

I do indeed recall when life was uncomplicated by COVID safety considerations. What I've learned about our COVID "lockdown" and other protocols is that some won't and exposure for me, personally, is very dangerous.

I got my booster last week and I am isolating again. I've cancelled a fall trip to my niece's wedding, and we've decided we are staying home for the fall holiday season. While symptoms of those who suffer a breakthrough infection are described as minimal, minimal with my very stressed pulmonary system might kill me.

I read with interest a very interesting article published in The Atlantic written by an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist. The article asks what is the COVID endgame and asserts that some version of this disease may linger and become like our current flu. We have to "recalibrate our expectation about what makes a vaccine successful." Here is a link to the article.

So I conclude I need to carve out a COVID new normal for me. It will likely include avoiding crowds in doors or out and certainly avoid flying in any form of commercial aircraft. How dangerous is this virus? We have a young former special forces soldier, recently discharged for the Army, who joined our American Legion Post. He was in fantastic shape, running 10 miles-a-day, and prior to his now more than month-long hospital COVID admission, he deemed himself to be COVID bullet proof. His long-COVID experience includes symptoms like swelling of the optic nerve. He might not see again.

I conclude that there will always be a subset of people who will ignore the rules. We see evidence of that in our legal system, tax code, and even in daily driving. I don't think we'll ever change that element of society misbehavior, and so I need to alter my life. It is inconvenient but given my compromised pulmonary system, it is the right thing for me.

Glad that you are on the mend.

Stay the course.

Tom

 

[LexieCat]

Yeah, some of us need to be more cautious than others. My doctor said that once my immune system had made a full recovery, I wouldn't need to take any more precautions than anyone else. Personally, I think it's nuts for ANYONE, vaccinated or not, to spend any length of time in a crowded indoor space without mask protocols--right now, at least. 

 

[BridgetO]

LexieCat, I'm envious of your going to see Clannad live!  I'll be interested to hear whether people are following the rules.  I have a season ticket to the Oregon Symphony. I've been going for years until last year's season was cancelled due to Covid. I was really looking forward to this season. They do have the vaccine or test rule and require masking, but I don't feel safe enough with that many people at an indoor concert, so I'm passing up at least the first one. Maybe after I get my booster.

[TJM]

Just my two cents...and that's probably about what it's worth! I decided early this summer that if I got vaccinated I would return to a normal life. All of us know we are on the clock, so I dont want Covid to take more of my life away.

It's a personal choice for us all. I mask up when required but otherwise I do not. The science (actually it's not science...its statistics) seems pretty clear that the jab is very effective. I will get a booster when available (now that I'm old..i.e. 60, I should be able to get one) and also the flu shot as well. Other than that I'm going to live my life like pre-Covid.

I will use my LC and Covid to avoid things I would rather not do. For example, skip my wife's nieces wedding that was held outdoors at the beach. Yes. I am that bad. 😁

Peace

Tom