|
|
Post by bpfox on Oct 4, 2021 9:36:12 GMT -5
All the boards have been pretty silent on this subject. With the 17 OHL clubs in Ontario requiring full vaccination for all teams including spectators to be fully vaccinated to attend games how are you feeling about attending Spirit games with such a requirement? I don't want this to be a "for, or against" the shot discussion. Simply the facts of what we a facing and your comfort level. I'm still up in the air on this and the clock is ticking.
|
|
|
|
Post by jimbo on Oct 4, 2021 11:44:27 GMT -5
This will be the first locked thread in how many years. I’ll take the bait that your throwing BP. I’m vaccinated and will enjoy sitting in the stands with others who are vaccinated, I’ll even do so social distancing and wearing a mask. It will be a nice 3hr break from the “I did my own research” people.
|
|
|
|
Post by donjohnson on Oct 4, 2021 12:46:28 GMT -5
With the normal attendance levels until Christmas we're usually not much more than 50% occupancy so I'm not too concerned about that. I've been to a college football game and the preseason game in Flint and because I've had covid and am vaccinated I'm very comfortable going. If I was forced to wear a mask I would but I'd prefer not to. The kids are not vaccinated but they'll go and wear masks if it's appropriate.
Too many unvaccinated friends and co-workers are getting really sick lately... Please folks, put politics aside and protect yourselves. From firsthand experience the minor side effects of the shot are WAY less than the 2 weeks plus that covid zapped my energy (and I'm not in any risk groups).
|
|
|
|
Post by bpfox on Oct 4, 2021 13:11:13 GMT -5
This will be the first locked thread in how many years. I’ll take the bait that your throwing BP. I’m vaccinated and will enjoy sitting in the stands with others who are vaccinated, I’ll even do so social distancing and wearing a mask. It will be a nice 3hr break from the “I did my own research” people. No baiting here Jimbo. I was simply trying to gauge peoples feelings on games this season. I only ask because in Canada, there is no discussion. The fans of those 17 teams are required to be vaccinated to attend games. That rule does not apply to the 3 US teams as US rules and restrictions apply. My wife and I have some concerns and I was just trying to get a feel how others were thinking on the subject. Like I said, this is not, nor should it be about the pros and cons of getting vaccinated. It is more a case of trying to get a feel how other Spirit fans were feeling. When it comes to how you feel, there is no right, or wrong answers. Everyone has the choice to feel however they feel. |
|
|
|
Post by aj0512 on Oct 4, 2021 14:47:55 GMT -5
I am fully vaccinated and don't have any issues being around people. I will probably still wear a mask as it doesn't bother me that much. I still wear it in grocery stores and what not. I've been to several college football games this year and haven't had any issues. I took a few tests after the events just to be on the safe side and have tested negative each time.
Not sure if I'll go on any road trips this year. I might be wrong, but I had heard the Canadian arenas are only at 50% capacity and you need a to take a test before entering the country. I don't want to plan something and then risk testing positive before heading to the border, so I might just take a year off and stick to the home games.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bthumme on Oct 5, 2021 12:17:52 GMT -5
I would think if there were going to be rules and restrictions that they would have been in place by now. Junior hockey is always a bit of a harder draw earlier on in the season in the US, I'm guessing there won't be anything in place but would welcome a requirement to be vax'ed or tested negative. I think money talks and the US teams would rather not try to turn away any paying customer at this point.
I was at LCA for a wings pre-season game last week and there were no requirements, only recommendations (to mask up).
|
|
|
|
Post by donjohnson on Oct 5, 2021 12:37:03 GMT -5
I am fully vaccinated and don't have any issues being around people. I will probably still wear a mask as it doesn't bother me that much. I still wear it in grocery stores and what not. I've been to several college football games this year and haven't had any issues. I took a few tests after the events just to be on the safe side and have tested negative each time. Not sure if I'll go on any road trips this year. I might be wrong, but I had heard the Canadian arenas are only at 50% capacity and you need a to take a test before entering the country. I don't want to plan something and then risk testing positive before heading to the border, so I might just take a year off and stick to the home games. I may try to take one trip...going to probably depend more on access to tickets more than the covid protocols since they're at 50% capacity. May wait until later in the season to see if those capacities open up more but Canada (more specifically Ontario) has been super strict throughout this so I'm guessing they're not going to 100% until next season. |
|
|
|
Post by eric8199 on Oct 5, 2021 14:30:43 GMT -5
I for one wish we had the same requirements here as in Canada. In working with the team as a photographer I am required to be vaccinated, but I was anyway. I got vaccinated in large part to ditch the mask, so I don't plan to wear one at the games unless I get uncomfortable with the crowds. Plus wearing one fogs up my viewfinder, so it's really hard to shoot with a mask on. lol.
One thing I would expect is significantly limited access to the players this season, at least to start. It's a tad difficult because they literally walk across the concourse to get to the ice, but I would expect no high-five alley, no autograph sessions, that sort of thing for the time being. The Spirit already announced there would be no preseason tailgate. I know media appearances are still virtual rather than in-person.
They weren't crazy strict at the preseason games in Flint — players were still in the lobby after the game, etc., but coaches did wear masks when they were on the benches with the players during the games. During the blue and white games, the Spirit limited the number of photographers and we weren't able to shoot near the benches like we normally would at the Saginaw Bay Ice Arena.
It will be interesting to see how it goes. Will attendance be down more because people are concerned? I would expect so.
|
|
twinsdad
2nd Liner
Rocky Hockey
Posts: 166
|
Post by twinsdad on Oct 5, 2021 16:12:08 GMT -5
I plan to go to a few games. But I will be less apt if the first game I attend has children wandering about without masks. And I mean those too young to have been vaccinated.
I am vaccinated, but it was more than six months ago. So I suspect the effectiveness is starting to wane. With how much the delta variant is contagious, I suspect unvaccinated minors gathered together is like chicken pox parties of the past. Just that few know they have it.
So, as a precaution, I keep my distance from children if they are unmasked. If that is unavoidable at the arena, then I will stay home.
|
|
|
|
Post by donjohnson on Oct 5, 2021 19:31:30 GMT -5
but coaches did wear masks when they were on the benches with the players during the games This is one thing I just don't understand or like...the team, coaches, support personnel, and billet families all have to be vaccinated... These coaches are around the team every day...the coaches wearing masks is just theatre for the cameras. |
|
|
|
Post by donjohnson on Oct 5, 2021 19:36:37 GMT -5
I plan to go to a few games. But I will be less apt if the first game I attend has children wandering about without masks. And I mean those too young to have been vaccinated. I am vaccinated, but it was more than six months ago. So I suspect the effectiveness is starting to wane. With how much the delta variant is contagious, I suspect unvaccinated minors gathered together is like chicken pox parties of the past. Just that few know they have it. So, as a precaution, I keep my distance from children if they are unmasked. If that is unavoidable at the arena, then I will stay home. There's definitely going to be kids unmasked...the good news is you should be able to find a random spot around the arena to avoid kids/crowds at least in the first half of the season. It will be really interesting to see what the crowds are like this year... I'm guessing that on average it will be 75% of normal crowd size but who knows, some people will stay home and others will be desperate to find something to do and may choose hockey. |
|
|
|
Post by bpfox on Oct 6, 2021 6:33:30 GMT -5
I think everyone needs to do what they think is best for them. If you think about it, that's always been the case. I don't like missing games, but it won't be the first time if I don't go. I am fully vaccinated and I am waiting for the booster shot to become available. At my age I will do anything I can to keep from getting sick. If that means I miss some games, then that's what it means. I did buy the all access tv package so I've got back up. I have already picked up my season tickets, but I made the decision to support the team by buying my tickets even if I don't go to a single game. I don't think it will come to that, but I am still a little on the fence about going. I appreciated hearing other points of view on this and I thank you all for you input.
|
|
|
|
Post by Disco Stu on Oct 7, 2021 8:49:08 GMT -5
The important thing is that people shouldn't go if they are sick even if it isn't Covid. So bring with you some sort of bat and if someone actually comes to the game and if they are sick, hit them with the bat until they stop breathing. Then we will all be safe. (SARCASM SARCASM SARCASM)
|
|
|
|
Post by Bthumme on Oct 7, 2021 13:00:04 GMT -5
Looks like Van Andel arena is also joining the no vaccine or mask required group. I'm going to the game next week and saw in a "what to expect" posting there is no requirement.
Given that we are now one week out, it looks like that will also be the Dow's policy.
|
|
|
|
Post by bpfox on Oct 12, 2021 8:08:07 GMT -5
I just read that Canada has dropped the 50 percent capacity requirement and are allowing the 17 OHL teams to have 100 percent capacity at the games.
|
|
