Is there a definite reason the ICC can’t be ‘con only’? It’s a public space but can exceptions be made?
Resorting to snippy comments will not be tolerated
Mike
I was asking if Gen Con can 'take over' the whole convention center. The ICC website says 'we will work with our clients one-on-one to determine their desired policies for both risk mitigation efforts' so is closing it off a possibility? Have a badge check at the entrances and make it no entry without one. No football makes this seem possible, but there may be other considerations since it is a public space.
I say this sincerely and with no snark or malice at all - I think if a person's health circumstances are such that they are so concerned by the possibility of encountering a person without a mask that they want stricter mask rules than last year, then Gen Con Online is probably a better fit. I mean, isn't that kind of why that option is available?
Edited to add this thought: Last year I played a lot of games that lasted 3-4 hours in the gaming hall and everybody briefly removed their masks to eat and drink during those games. So -- we will encounter unmasked people in the halls and at the tables even if we are all abiding by the rules.
If Gen Con gets the ICC to agree to this, then yes, the ICC definitely enforces in the ICC as they desire.
'Public Space', hah! It's owned, folks, they can be as lax or rigid as they desire.
GC went through 2021 with people playing nice and following the rules. Not sure how much ICC/GC is going to need to control the general space given GC people police themselves fairly well anyways. Talking about staffing multiple entrances and skywalks with ICC staff (since they are checking badges and doing security) to control going in and out. 5 days of GC/24 hours and how many entrances? That is a lot of man hours and cost (which I assume comes out of GC's pocket) to stop a few random non-Gencon goers cutting through.
Plus, what is going to happen is you are going to create a bottleneck (especially along Capitol which I'm not sure the fire dept will like.. but that is a different issue) to get back in and, because you aren't in the ICC, a mask isn't required outside so... everyone is just huddled together waiting to get it. If you are that worried about being in an environment without masks, you've created an environment of a situation that you are trying to avoid anyways.
This may be a novel thought, but we could don our masks as we near the ICC, help speed the process of getting vaccine verified by lining up in a orderly way to provide our proof, and remind those around us to respect the convention, vendors and fellow attendees by being prepared and helping all of us to follow the rules of the convention so we can focus on games.
Personally, I'm hoping for restrictions to be lessened, but if not, then for something on the badge which is not uncomfortable or problematic to wear. Wristbands are annoying... although not nearly as annoying as masks.
The other advantage or something on the badge is that then the badge-checkers (who now also have to be medical status checkers) can easily verify both things by looking at one item. I've been at so many cons where getting onto the Exhibit Floor is a clogged line because the badge-checkers now have to not only look for badges but force everyone to pull up their sleeves and show their mangled Tyvex wristbands... sigh.
Agreed on a badge indicator, that's why I thought it'd have been great if GenCon had opened up a vaccine card submission portal along with the first health update of 2022, it would be easier for security and attendees if only a badge needs to be checked still.