Seems the Ontario chief medical officer speculated about removing the mask mandate in the middle of March.
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Seems the Ontario chief medical officer speculated about removing the mask mandate in the middle of March.
.*-1
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Yes, I do appreciate that we can't make everyone happy, so sometimes we try to somehow at least minimize the various "opposites of happy" lol. However, I REALLY appreciate all of the replies, we need to do what's right, but also this is going to be a "chesscation", with everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves!!Originally Posted by Victor Plotkin
Here's another angle: if you prefer that masks still be worn, does that position change if all Players and Arbiters are vaccinated, and any spectators masked?!
Thanks again, Aris Marghetis.
Last edited by Aris Marghetis; 02-18-2022 at 08:33 AM. Reason: adjusted last question
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Vaccines do not prevent spread of Omicron. Even having had Covid previously and being double vaccinated and being boosted do not prevent spread of Omicron. You can get it and you can - with or without symptoms - spread it. The good news is that for most people Omicron and even earlier variants of Covid are not a big deal. You may get it and not even know it. Unfortunately that is not the case for everyone. If you are overweight, have underlying health issues like diabetes and its constellation of symptoms like high blood pressure or immune system issues, Covid can kill you. Most people who get very sick have such issues. Most but not all people that died were elderly.
Last edited by Vladimir Drkulec; 02-18-2022 at 12:45 PM.
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Sooo, I'm looking for answers to the question I posted:
"Here's another angle: if you prefer that masks still be worn, does that position change if all Players and Arbiters are vaccinated, and any spectators masked?!"
(Most people appreciate that three shots at least reduces hospitalization/ICU/death rates, including Omicron. If a reader disagrees with this, it does NOT help me to know that lol. What HELPS me is answering the question above, IF it applies to you. I really need to hear from THOSE people who still prefer masks be worn!)
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Then, Aris, you probably want to hear from people like me. My understanding is that wearing a casual mask does not at all protect this person for a virus transmission from other people. However, wearing a casual mask by infected person protects (or, at least, significantly reduces) virus transmission from this infected person to other people. Therefore, my view is: if you don't feel well - don't play in chess tournaments, and stay home. If you need to go outside (to pharmacy, etc.) - wear mask in order to respect and protect other people.
During my trip to Japan in early 2019 (before covid), I was wondering, why many people are wearing masks on the streets. I asked this question to our guide, and got the following answer: "Japanese people are wearing masks in case if they are not feeling well (cold or flu), but they have to go out - in order to protect surrounding people". My opinion is that this is nice way of thinking, even for the times when the pandemic will be over. If we extend this way of thinking to covid pandemic situation, in many cases people do not feel any symptoms, and may spread the virus even to knowing that they are infected. This is why, I would prefer everybody wear masks until pandemic is over.
However, my personal decision - to play in a particular OTB event or not will not depend on mask requirements. it will depend on the pandemic situation in the playing area, i.e. on the number of cases during previous couple of weeks, and on its dynamic. If the number of cases is high and/or increasing rapidly - I will not play OTB.
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Thanks Victor ... I'm compiling something ... there's a lot of angles to include ...
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I've been doing some research, and there seems to be a kind of "jurisprudence" building for what we're calling the "Halldor rules". From Ottawa high schools:
"Masking & Sports
In light of the most recent province announcement, OPH (Ottawa Public Health) indicated that they are in support of these measures. Effective immediately, athletes actively involved in high risk sports (such as basketball and hockey) have the option to mask during the game but are no longer required to do so. On the bench, however, coaches and athletes must continue to mask, as well as all minor officials at the scorers' table. This applies to sports from grades 7-12."
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BC makes their announcements on Tuesdays and this week's announcement said much the same on removing capacity limits.
From the news conference it would seem that vaccine passports (aka "proof of vaccination") will still be required so presumably that means an extra person at the registration will be needed to check these.
While masks are still required in BC at events such as ours I agree with Vlad that the standard cloth masks most of us have access to are largely 'virtue signalling' more than effective protection tools. That said they're the present requirement (at least in BC) so we must go along. (When I went for my booster they required me to remove my mask and take theirs (which would have delighted me had they been the top quality masks as opposed to what I actually got which was exactly the same kind you buy in the grocery store and pharmacies)
Is any province requiring rapid tests for our type of event?
(For the benefit of VMs reading this one of the primary reasons Vlad wanted this item on the agenda was to compare requirements from province to province and to circulate the terms under which 'face to face' tournaments can be resumed at the present time particularly with respect to major interprovincial events)
In particular going forward I would like to see a TD discussion on "best practices" for tournaments.
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