- EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:16 pm:
Agree. Obviously state fair buildings are “public buildings.” No different than the Capitol. And it should be also required Outdoors.
Then again, I am still of the opinion it’s too soon to have had a State Fair this year. Still should have been cancelled until at least kids can get vaccinated.
All indoor gatherings should be requiring masks right now. Particularly those full of people that have travelled to that location and are likely staying in hotels and eating a restaurants meaning they are in constant contact with a rotating group of people.
Agree. Would have preferred masks be required both indoors and outdoors, but at this point it seems like a reasonable compromise to require indoors and encourage outdoors.
Bold statement, Mr. Science. Can you cite any sources to back that up? Funny that the leading health professionals at the CDC and IDPH aren’t privy to the same research that you have…
Agree. I freely admit I’m thinking in stereotypes, but I’m guessing there’s a pretty good overlap between “people who refuse to get vaccinated” and “people who like to go to the Illinois State Fair.”
Agree. But, I do have a concern for the nastiness that could break out by the people you know will inevitably be there throwing a fit when they are told to put on a mask. I feel bad for the people who are going to be charged with enforcing this.
There’s plenty of evidence supporting the benefits of masks, multiple linked studies here, or just read the first couple sentences of the conclusion:
“Experimental and epidemiological data support community masking to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The prevention benefit of masking is derived from the combination of source control and wearer protection for the mask wearer.”
Agree but I would also like to see it go further. I’d like to see mandatory vaccines or negative tests for admission similar to Lallapalooza. I’d like to see similar requirements for all large scale events indoor or outdoor. Will it keep some people away? Sure. But it will also serve as a catalyst to spectators and participants that really want to be there and might not get a shot or take a test otherwise. There’s a lot more that we can and should be doing to highlight the choices here.
Agree, but I sincerely hope that a few weeks after the State Fair and the Du Quoin State Fair we’re not asking ourselves why we thought it was a good idea for the event to proceed.
There will be more mutations. There will be more variants and evolution loves to reward a mutation that can increase the ability to replicate. Evolution will reward the ability to infect vaccinated people.
@ Lefty Lefty - I agree with the madness sentiment, but really? When’s the last time someone had small pox? Also, polio does not exist in the US. There is no vaccine for ebola (but one that is very effective). And Measles, Mumps, and Rubella were extremely rare until anti- vaxers stopped immunizing their children. Vaccines work extremely well at eliminating disease.
This policy seems perfectly reasonable. If it does not go far enough for you or provide you with enough perception of protection, hey don’t go. If it goes too far for you or burdens you then you are free to not attend either. It’s a totally optional event after all.
I’m in the minority here. I was vaccinated as soon I was eligible. Prior to that, I wore a mask any time other than when I was alone or with immediate danger.
However, the CDC’s guidance on this one does not seem to be as well founded as prior guidance.
I’m strongly in favor of requiring vaccinations to enter but I’m just not sold on vax plus mask.
If you read the press release it also says masks are required for Grandstand performances and you have to have proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test to be in the standing area of the track.
Crash, my understanding is that with Delta, someone who is vaccinated but caught a “breakthrough” case of COVID is every bit as contagious as an unvaccinated person. And being vaxxed, you might not be showing symptoms. Hence the masks.
- EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:16 pm:
Agree. Obviously state fair buildings are “public buildings.” No different than the Capitol. And it should be also required Outdoors.
Then again, I am still of the opinion it’s too soon to have had a State Fair this year. Still should have been cancelled until at least kids can get vaccinated.
- Socially DIstant watcher - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:18 pm:
Masks at every gate? As in, visit every gate to collect a whole set? Or just the same old disposables?
Of course they should require masks. I hope they’re making a game of it as well.
- PublicServant - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:24 pm:
Agree. Indoors is indoors at the state fair too.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:27 pm:
Agree. It’s an unfortunate but necessary consequence of those who won’t get vaccinated. Many don’t like the rules but are the reason for the rules.
- tea_and_honey - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:28 pm:
All indoor gatherings should be requiring masks right now. Particularly those full of people that have travelled to that location and are likely staying in hotels and eating a restaurants meaning they are in constant contact with a rotating group of people.
- Leslie K - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:40 pm:
Agree. Would have preferred masks be required both indoors and outdoors, but at this point it seems like a reasonable compromise to require indoors and encourage outdoors.
- LakeCo - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:41 pm:
Bold statement, Mr. Science. Can you cite any sources to back that up? Funny that the leading health professionals at the CDC and IDPH aren’t privy to the same research that you have…
- Out of Illinois - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:45 pm:
Agree. But since most of the attendance at the state fair is from downstate all this will do is hold the attendance down.
- Benjamin - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:46 pm:
Agree. I freely admit I’m thinking in stereotypes, but I’m guessing there’s a pretty good overlap between “people who refuse to get vaccinated” and “people who like to go to the Illinois State Fair.”
- Demoralized - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:47 pm:
Agree. But, I do have a concern for the nastiness that could break out by the people you know will inevitably be there throwing a fit when they are told to put on a mask. I feel bad for the people who are going to be charged with enforcing this.
- AC - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:49 pm:
==Masks don’t do any good.==
There’s plenty of evidence supporting the benefits of masks, multiple linked studies here, or just read the first couple sentences of the conclusion:
“Experimental and epidemiological data support community masking to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The prevention benefit of masking is derived from the combination of source control and wearer protection for the mask wearer.”
source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/masking-science-sars-cov2.html
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 12:52 pm:
===Masks don’t do any good.===
Bet you want your surgeons maskless too, amirite?
“Freedom and ‘Merica”
Voted agreed.
- Pundent - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 1:03 pm:
Agree but I would also like to see it go further. I’d like to see mandatory vaccines or negative tests for admission similar to Lallapalooza. I’d like to see similar requirements for all large scale events indoor or outdoor. Will it keep some people away? Sure. But it will also serve as a catalyst to spectators and participants that really want to be there and might not get a shot or take a test otherwise. There’s a lot more that we can and should be doing to highlight the choices here.
- Lefty Lefty - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 1:04 pm:
Agree.
Also - the vaccines will not wipe out the virus. Not one single person ever said this. Ever.
Polio is still around. Ebola. Measles. Miumps. Rubella. Chicken pox.
Put on a mask and get the shot(s). Jeez.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 1:07 pm:
Agree, but I sincerely hope that a few weeks after the State Fair and the Du Quoin State Fair we’re not asking ourselves why we thought it was a good idea for the event to proceed.
There will be more mutations. There will be more variants and evolution loves to reward a mutation that can increase the ability to replicate. Evolution will reward the ability to infect vaccinated people.
- Huh? - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 1:13 pm:
Disagree. Masks should be worn everywhere.
- Shevek - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 1:25 pm:
@ Lefty Lefty - I agree with the madness sentiment, but really? When’s the last time someone had small pox? Also, polio does not exist in the US. There is no vaccine for ebola (but one that is very effective). And Measles, Mumps, and Rubella were extremely rare until anti- vaxers stopped immunizing their children. Vaccines work extremely well at eliminating disease.
- Shevek - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 1:26 pm:
That was supposed to be mask, not madness!
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 1:27 pm:
=== When’s the last time someone had small pox? Also, polio does not exist in the US.===
Narrator: Vaccines worked.
- Captain Obvious - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 1:34 pm:
This policy seems perfectly reasonable. If it does not go far enough for you or provide you with enough perception of protection, hey don’t go. If it goes too far for you or burdens you then you are free to not attend either. It’s a totally optional event after all.
- Crash - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 2:00 pm:
I’m in the minority here. I was vaccinated as soon I was eligible. Prior to that, I wore a mask any time other than when I was alone or with immediate danger.
However, the CDC’s guidance on this one does not seem to be as well founded as prior guidance.
I’m strongly in favor of requiring vaccinations to enter but I’m just not sold on vax plus mask.
- BTO2 - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 2:11 pm:
I’d like to attend this year, if it means wearing a mask inside, do be it.
- Give Us Barabbas - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 2:45 pm:
This year, the caricature artists can ink on facial expressions on your masks for a dollar.
- Cool Papa Bell - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 2:52 pm:
Agree - perfectly reasonable.
The Illinois building is “inside” the pig barn is not. I go to the fair almost everyday and there are many days I don’t even enter a “building”.
So go enjoy yourself and please lets have a peaceful 10 run of the fair.
- Soccermom - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 3:17 pm:
I think this is a good idea — but whew, it is going to be steamy in those barns
- Demoralized - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 3:22 pm:
If you read the press release it also says masks are required for Grandstand performances and you have to have proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test to be in the standing area of the track.
- LakeCo - Friday, Aug 6, 21 @ 4:21 pm:
Crash, my understanding is that with Delta, someone who is vaccinated but caught a “breakthrough” case of COVID is every bit as contagious as an unvaccinated person. And being vaxxed, you might not be showing symptoms. Hence the masks.