[Organizers] Re: Is it time to change our mask mandates?

Hi everyone,  In response to this general question, "what are others doing", I offer: 1. We at Oakland County Traditional Dance Society are a relatively small affiliate of CDSS and are in Southeastern Michigan. Our experiences thus far have ranged from full shutdown in 2021 to a "moderated" relaxed but respectful approach. 2. When we began again in April of last year we instituted what was considered to be a rigorous approach.  We required each entrant to complete a waver form, which also served as basis for a contact tracing database.  We required full vaccination and proof of vaccination and identity. Masking was required.Each attendee is provided with a named badge indicating that the process for entry has been completed by this person.  Our attendance has been significantly lower over the entire period.  4/22 = 26, 6/22<10, 8/22 <20, 3. We have chosen to expect attendees are vaccinated, but do not ask for proof, still require new attendees to fill out contact tracing information, and state that masking is optional.  Each attendee is provided with a named badge indicating that the process for entry has been completed by this person.Our attendance levels have remained poor.   9/22<15, 12/22 <25, 1/23 = special event celebration = 135, 2/23 <15, 3/23 <10. Prior to COVID we were getting from 40 to 60 paying attendees. We have returned to offering free snacks. Lou Echeandia -----Original Message----- From: Darlene Hamilton via Organizers &lt;organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; To: Seth Seeger &lt;seth(a)tofutavern.com&gt; Cc: A list for dance organizers &lt;organizers(a)sharedweight.net&gt; Sent: Wed, Apr 12, 2023 11:20 am Subject: [Organizers] Re: Is it time to change our mask mandates? Thank you Seth! On Wed, Apr 12, 2023 at 8:10 AM Seth Seeger via Organizers &lt;organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net&gt; wrote: Hi everyone, I'd like people to consider a few things when discussing covid... * People are asking what others are doing.  Not asking for advice on what they should be doing.  Please don't offer unsolicited advice.  I think it is useful to hear what is happening at other dances.  But if there is going to be negative/critical feedback, people will not share. * This is email.  No one is going to change someone else's mind.  If you don't agree with the guidelines that a dance is using, don't go to it.  Please don't attack or criticize the poster.  Often, the poster is only one person of a committee making the decisions.  Don't shoot the messenger. * Please watch the tone of your email, or how others might perceive the tone of your email.  It might feel rude or critical, even if you didn't intend it.  Responders - instead of jumping on someone publicly, please write to them privately, saying "that felt rude.  Did you intend it that way?"  Maybe they will apologize.   * We are all doing our best here.  We are all coming from different geographic areas which each have their own particular local culture, especially regarding masking.  Please be kind to each other if someone else's guidelines don't agree with yours. Bottom line:  This list is NOT a place to discuss the effectiveness of masks, vaccines, etc.  This is a thread asking what other people are doing.  No one has asked if others think their policy is good. Thank you,Seth ________________________ Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Darlene Hamilton   Caller, Dancer, Founder of The Historical Tea & Dance Society Historical Balls, Tea Dances, and Historical Dance classes For more information about events and classes go to www.historicalteaanddance.orgLike us on facebook!_______________________________________________ Organizers mailing list -- organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net To unsubscribe send an email to organizers-leave(a)lists.sharedweight.net