Sharon MachlisMay 18, 2024

What happens when you mandate masks at a conference now that most people no longer wear them but medically vulnerable people are still at risk because #CovidIsNotOver? In the case of #PyConUS, the conference sells out.

Why a masking policy? “Many of us and our fellow community members can’t attend without health and safety guidelines in place. We want PyCon US to be an event that everyone feels safe attending,” organizers explained.

Well done @pycon https://fosstodon.org/@pycon/112445571644276379

PyCon US (@[email protected])

⚠️ UPDATE⚠️ : #PyConUS 2024 is SOLD OUT. We had an unexpected spike in registrations just before opening the event today, and we've had to close sales of new conference passes. Some Tutorials are still available, prepaid voucher codes will still work, and if you didn't snag a ticket, online passes are still available at us.pycon.org. (Contact [email protected] if you need help.) We're thrilled to welcome over 2700 attendees to PyCon US this week! http://us.pycon.org

Fosstodon
Show threadTim Ward ⭐🇪🇺🔶 #FBPEMay 18, 2024
@smach @pycon Trouble is ... people have to get there somehow. And the US is a big place. And I have yet to hear of any airline offering a believable guarantee of a zero covid journey (including airports and transfers).
Show threadEsther Payne May 18, 2024

@TimWardCam @smach @pycon Indeed, it's why it would be nice for UK and EU conference organisers to consider a public health policy.

Which realistically needs our more prominent FLOSS folks to consider seriously asking for public health policies and if there aren't any not attending and saying why.

But a more likely thing is the rest of us politely asking for these policies and if an event has a code of conduct as well.

Slim pickings.

https://dotart.blog/cobbles/foss-conferences-and-covid

FOSS conferences and COVID

Originally Published 20230124 When I was a teenager oh so long ago, I would walk with my father down to the shops in the City Centre. I...

cobbles
Show threadSharon Machlis
@onepict @TimWardCam I'm so sorry how Long Covid has affected you. One of my closest friends has a horrible case of Long Covid. She can't risk another case of Covid either. (I'm not particularly interested in risking long-term organ damage for no good reason, and "I don't feel like wearing a mask" doesn't seem like a good reason if I'm in a crowded indoor space. )
May 18, 2024 at 8:02pmWeb
Show threadEsther Payne May 18, 2024

@smach Thank you.

It is why conferences like Pycon and Bsdcan give me some hope.