"Historicon requires masks at all events and activities" Topic

Historicon is requiring masks be worn for everyone at all games, flea markets, vendor areas and any other HMGS activities.

Commonwealth of Penn is NOT requiring this, nor is the hotel hosting the convention.

This is a requirement put out solely by HMGS.

Ran a poll of the 6 guys who were going to the convention, none of us are going now.

OK, I got it. ( actually bet you thought it wasn't taking you message)
Anyway not liking masks but so want to go I'll try it.
I am as anti mask as anyone, but I would give in to go.

Ya, on trip, using hotel computer.

Gamers are, of course, among all human beings, most known for their savoir faire and delicate touch when it comes to the social niceties.

Buncha clods. If I was going, I wouldn't be now.

Good for Historicon.
And now let's watch in amusement all the "FREEDOM" shouters cut their noses off to spite their faces.
I've worn mine for up to 8 hours daily at work. And since my local grocery store requires one to be worn again, I do so.

What's the Big Deal? Oh, right. FREEDOM!!!!!

I won't go to events that require masks to be worn. If you want to wear one I have no problem with that. I wasn't going to H-Con this year anyway, so this news doesn't directly impact me.

Good for Historicon – Smart decision

If we'd all been wearing masks and getting vaccinated all along, we'd be rid of this damn virus.

Wear a mask, roll dice, catch up with friends, admire and buy miniatures, and have a good time. Or sit in your basement eating Cheetos, typing angry posts and believing in freedom. What a choice?

You are only required to wear a mask at HMGS events. The hotel areas, lobby, restaurants, bars and casino do NOT require them, so there WILL be people walking around all over the place without masks.

But I guess a person could leave an HMGS "safe space" and run from the COVID, through the unmasked, holding your breath, to the next "safe space".

It is not so much about FREEDOM, as it is a foolish panic rule if the whole convention site with a thousand other people moving around without masks are there also.

As for the basement thing you are kinda right. We are going to have a mini-con that weekend in different guys game rooms. No cheetos, but the food will be better, the drinks will be cheaper and no masks.

One mate said we should call it CoronaCon.

Catchy name.

Wargamer Blue let me know if you want an invite.

You could bring the Cheetos if you want.

HMGS is said to still be considering "requiring proof of being fully vaxxed," according to Mark Mclaughlin.

Unfortunately, I do not relish the idea of sitting in my booth for 8.5+ hours with a mask on. If I am social distanced, I see no need to wear it until customers come up to ask a question or purchase something (my whole staff cadre is vaccinated). I have not had to wear a mask like this since COVID began…..

How's this for FREEDOM…

TRU

Realize no more than %50 will ever be Vaxed, cutting your possible clients to 1/2 is not a winning business model.

I've worn mine for up to 8 hours daily at work. And since my local grocery store requires one to be worn again, I do so.

What's the Big Deal? Oh, right. FREEDOM!!!!!

I'd think someone as old as you would be able to tell the difference between wearing a mask for your job and wearing one for an optional recreational event where it can and will detract from enjoyment of said event.

How would it detract me from my enjoyment?

How would it detract me from my enjoyment?

It won't, because you're not going. Notice I very specifically did not say "your enjoyment."

I am not alone in my opinion, not by a longshot.

I'm not thrilled about wearing a mask given that I am fully vaccinated and recently got my booster but frankly it isn't a big enough deal one way or another to seriously affect my decisions. Realistically something like 70+% of the population over 50 has received at least one dose so I perceive a fairly low risk given the HMGS attendance skews older but I am sure HMGS does not want a potential super spreader PR issue. I'm still looking forward to Historicon.

CDC Vaccinations by age link

Good on them.

A mask is not enough of a hardship to prevent me from attending and enjoying my hobby diversions. I'm just happy we have a convention at all, if they required me to wear my underwear on my head to attend I would.

"Be sure to wear clean underwear (on your head), when you go out, in case you get in an accident."

Momma knows best.

I wonder how Boomers would have tolerated rationing in World War 2.
Just a thought, but probably not very well.

According to the HMGS email, which I'm surprised no one has posted in full, (I would, but cutting and pasting the text has proven impossible),…

The current CDC Guideline is, in part, to wear masks indoors in areas of high transmission. Montgomery County is reporting that it has, for the past 2 weeks, been an area of High Transmission.

All of this is fluid. The con site could impose its' own restrictions. The limits they set last year rendered the con infeasible. Or, Transmission Rates could fall, lifting the requirement. We likely haven't heard the final word on this.

No one will know how the Boomers would have tolerated rationing. I do know, they would have identified, denounced, charged and convicted someone as an Agent Provocateur. (Minimum 2 year sentence)

I don't get the idea of wearing a mask infringes on my freedom. Yes they are warm to wear but not intolerable. I just spent most of Saturday outdoors wearing a mask(my cancer treatment negated the vaccination I got).Your fears of vaccinations and refusal to consider anyone else so you can have your" freedom" to not wear a mask make it more danderous for me. I am just thankful God has protected me so far.

As a Boomer, I believe that particular demographic would have been unsure how to feel about any issue until they'd consulted the oracles of the day,…Huntley, Brinkley and Cronkite.

Boomers were weaned on news that sought to inform, not enrage.

If we'd all been wearing masks and getting vaccinated all along, we'd be rid of this damn virus.

450+ days since the last non-quarantine case in my state. The virus is eminently defeatable – though Delta is harder.

I love John the OFM. Why you say because he's Irish.

You know, the notice stated that was their position, but that it could change.

Some people you just can't please. The show is on, if you need to wear a mask do it.

Methinks those crying about masks would also be crying if they had to show proof of vaccine or had to have a temp taken.

They are trying to do the right thing for the majority. So, if you feel your individual rights are not being considered don't go and stop your bitching. Okay?

So, as I understand the science, chances of getting COVID if you're vaxxed are extremely low (1 in 5,000 according to NYT). Higher, of course, if you have some sort of health issue.

If you're vaxxed, you don't really need to wear a mask. If you have a health issue and are vaxxed, then wear a mask if you want.

If you are unvaxxed, then you're taking your chances, and it's not on HMGS if you get COVID.

But HMGS has decided to inflict masks on us all. I hope conditions change so that we don't have to wear a mask.

Dadster 👍

So apparently the myth that masks have any impact on the spread of the virus is still strong…too bad. Having dealt with wearing a mask for a day and one half at the Southern Front convention last weekend I will not submit myself to that torture for the better part of four days. HMGS just lost my 6 games. Good luck to the rest of you.

As far as the other myth that only the unvaccinated get COVID try and deal with the following information from Florida last week.

"At our Broward site, 52% of the patients that have received treatment have been vaccinated, 69% of those over 60 that have received treatment at the Broward site had been vaccinated. In Miami Dade almost 60% of everybody that's been treated at the Tropical Park site has been vaccinated. And 73% of the patients treated at the state site in Tropical Park that are over the age of 60 have been vaccinated."

Inconvenient truths abound.

Imagine staying home because of a mask mandate. Hahahaha.

That'll show ‘em, hahahaha.

Dukewilliam as of right now no mask mandate exist.

That'll show ‘em, hahahaha.

Its going to show the dealers that cons aren't worth their time when attendance probably just dropped 30% on this announcement.

Eh, Rusty, I be thinking HMGS just issued one.

"Therefore, the Board approved a mask requirement for all Historicon 2021 attendees while in HMGS-controlled areas; i.e., this does not include the resort's public areas like the hotel lobbies, casino, etc.  Anyone not wearing a mask correctly will be asked to put one on.  Anyone failing to comply with such a request will be subject to ejection for the remainder of the convention."

I hadn't planned on going but if I do , in the spirit of the event, I'll be wearing a 1/72nd scale mask.

Milhouse ! Well done !

If you're vaxxed, you don't really need to wear a mask.

Wasn't there a case in Massachusetts where they discovered it was the vaxxed who were spreading the virus? Apparently, being vaxxed does not prevent you from being a carrier, so masks might be a reasonable precaution.

I'm encouraged. They wouldn't be fussing about masks unless they really intended to open registration.

30% huh? Only the event will tell. Betcha it's gonna be significantly less than 30%.

I repeat they also said that was the initial position and it might change. So don't eat your frenchcries 'til they are rung up on the register. The position could possibly change.

If anything I would think everyone would be happy there was even going to be a convention. I will be there – probably working at registration and will enjoy saying hello and welcoming all those who do attend – even if I am speaking through a mask. :)

Is this one of of those cancel culture spam all online social media ventures trying to discourage vendors from attending this event?

WB – Good 'un. Laughing my ass off ;)

So, as I understand the science, chances of getting COVID if you're vaxxed are extremely low (1 in 5,000 according to NYT). Higher, of course, if you have some sort of health issue.

You have exactly the same chance of catching the disease if you are vacced or not. Your chance of getting seriously ill is reduced if you are vaxxed.

If you're vaxxed, you don't really need to wear a mask.

Pfizer improves the antibodies that are carried by blood – and hence provides protection to high blood flow areas such as lungs and other internal organs. The disease is spread from droplets from nasal passages, which are not high blood flow areas. So even if vaccinated, you spread the disease just as much as if unvaccinated. What is more, Delta spreads more easily. So masks are still required to slow spread of the disease. (Masks slow spread by about 10% – which doesnt sound a lot, but its like compound interest – it snowballs quickly.)

If you have a health issue and are vaxxed, then wear a mask if you want.

Masks have limited impact on you catching the disease.

If you are unvaxxed, then you're taking your chances, and it's not on HMGS if you get COVID.

Agreed. I had to take my dad to emergency last night, and they had no beds – and I am in an area with no covid. If you are unvaxxed and get covid, not only are you impacting yourself, but you are taking resources that others need.

What you said Nick Bowler – agree 100%.

I repeat they also said that was the initial position and it might change. So don't eat your frenchcries 'til they are rung up on the register. The position could possibly change.

Its not gonna change. They knew the backlash this would cause and went ahead.

They're simply waiting for the venue or the Commonwealth to go further and let them off the hook.
It's the wisest thing to do, financially.
It's going to happen.

Please excuse the rough cut-and-paste of the email from HMGS.
*****************************

"COVID 19 – Historicon 21


Well that scoreline puts us two points ahead of the virus, although the Delta variant seems to be doing its best to change the score!!

But seriously ….

HMGS, Inc.'s Board discusses COVID-19 status, and how it affects us, at every Board meeting. We look at what the latest mandates and guidelines are, what the facility is requiring, and what other organizations are doing.

This past Sunday was our latest monthly meeting, and the Board reconfirmed that we will follow the mandates and guidelines propagated by Federal, State, and Local authorities and the facilities that we use.

The current CDC guideline is:

"To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, get vaccinated as soon as you can and wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission." (my emphasis)

Montgomery County – where Valley Forge is located – and the rest of Pennsylvania is a "High Transmission" area.

Therefore, the Board approved a mask requirement for all Historicon 2021 attendees while in HMGS-controlled areas; i.e., this does not include the resort's public areas like the hotel lobbies, casino, etc. Anyone not wearing a mask correctly will be asked to put one on. Anyone failing to comply with such a request will be subject to ejection for the remainder of the convention.

We decided that we did not want to, at this time, require a proof of vaccination/negative-test from attendees, to perform temperature checks, or require a personal waiver … but this may change.

We will require real contact information from every attendee – if you're not willing to provide your email address and phone number you will not be allowed to participate in the convention.

THESE POLICIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. The situation will be closely monitored over the next seven weeks and the Board will communicate any changes.

We realize that for some of you this is a deal-breaker, and that because of the mask requirement you will not attend. Given the situation, we can not hope to please everyone, and we hope to see you again in better times.

With the demographics of our membership and attendees we will continue to err on the side of caution when it comes to your health and well-being. Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely, on behalf of the HMGS Board of Directors,


John Hollier
President, HMGS Inc.
president@hmgs.org"