Thanks Seth for helping to reset the tone. Agreed folks need to feel like they can share perspectives without concern.
The OP’s question was:
“I am very curious about what other organizers think. Is it time? And what should be our criteria for lifting our mandates?”
That suggests a broader response beyond just what others are doing.
For me the broader sharing along with the thinking behind it and related experiences and implications is helpful. There are many way to think and decide, so knowing the thinking beyond just the policy I lends to better decisions.
Do we do what’s best for the most people? What is best? At the hospital, folks are asked to wear a mask to make others more comfortable. Do we expect the same from our dancers?
I thought Woody shared most of what I was thinking. Specifically, contra dances made be the best way to spread disease. That said, maybe also good for building immunity, if we all survive.
For me, important is the idea that I wear a mask mostly for others. For those who are immune compromised, and because people are still dying.
I like the idea of different lines, and even alternating dances, where masks are required or not. This give options to everyone.
But I also recall a suggestion a while back; we can go back to “normal” when COVID numbers align with Flu numbers. We all should know that varies significantly from year to year, both in transmission and severity, so it’s not an exact answer but a reasonable place to shoot for, and a risk level most folks tend to accept.
So everyone knows, we have been dancing every Monday since January, with N95 masks required. We didn’t choose to ask for proof of vaccine. No problems with compliance, from young and old. Doesn’t seem to affect anyone’s ability to dance. Participant numbers are down, but then that seems to be the case generally for all post COVID events. We expect numbers to increase over time.
Maybe we’ll try alternating mask weeks and see what that does to our numbers. 🤔
Full disclosure: I’ll be helping the OP make the decision for MFS. Because we host a weekly dance alternating mask requirements each week is more viable than a monthly dance. But we plan to restart a (hopefully) larger monthly Saturday dance soon so the mask question has greater implications.
Sent from miHand,
‘…the slimmest of instructions, “To use your gifts and dreams for good.” ’
— From Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
* 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.