Yes, BurningTango is currently scheduled for June 17-20, 2021. However, because of Covid it’s uncertain as to whether this will be possible or wise. Thus I am holding off until the first part of April to make a final decision. If a change has to be made, two possibilities exist:
- Delay BurningTango until Sept of this year.
- Cancel BurningTango for this year and re-schedule for June of next year, 2022.
Either way, those that have pre-registered will have their choice of either a full refund or remain registered for the new date.
If you have suggestions or an opinion on this, please reply below.
When the time is right to open, the time will be right for Tango to emerge once again.
I don’t see any logical reason to fear someone who hasn’t received the vaccine.
If you got the vaccine for self protection against a virus, then you are safe, right?
With the vaccine you are protected from the slight possibility of contracting a highly survivable virus and possible hospital stay or worse.
No need to fear someone who has chosen not to be vaccinated,
you are protected as you chose to get vaccinated in order for you to protect yourself from the virus.
There seems to be a perception that if you get vaccinated you are now somehow exempt from
getting the virus,
or exempt from spreading the virus,
or exempt from wearing a mask,
or social distancing.
You are not according to CDC.
Not exempt from becoming an asymptomatic carrier, spreading it around because you had the vaccine shot that you feel ok with slight symptoms you pass off as a cold so go about your daily contact with people that continues the spread, perhaps to a elderly susceptible to getting sick or a person who might be treated for cancer, or compromised immune system.
People who have a robust immune system who rarely get sick because of good health are not to be feared because they don’t get the vaccine.
Don’t forget, if you got the vaccine you are protected from those who didn’t. Which is the whole premise of getting the vaccine.
International travel now wants to have proof of a negative test for travel. At the moment it has to be within 72 hrs of travel.
But in the future could be the faster test (& pricier) that can yield results for admittance.
That seems like a reasonable plan for Tango.
Test positive, sorry not today, go home for a few weeks.
Test negative, have a good time at the Milonga, practicing good hygiene hand washing after every tanda, wearing a mask which could be very creative in a Tango sort of way.
A vaccine passport says nothing except,
yes, you received vaccine,
Can possibly still get the virus,
possibly now asymptomatic feeling good, continue to spread the virus.
Taking a test prior to a dance before admittance would be ,a more up to date evaluation of having the virus rather than barring someone with a robust immune system who isn’t sick, nor have been sick, or not in the susceptible category.
Don’t fear those who choose not to vaccinate,
You’re protected because you got the vaccine.
Good points.
There is no black and white when it comes to contracting the virus – just gray.
Vaccination, testing, and healthy immune systems are not foolproof.
But, they lower the chances of contracting the virus – in that order.
The tango community wants to resurrect milongas. Early failure by organizers will impede this goal as well as ruin the reputation of themselves and their milonga.
So being particularly conservative early on seems to be a good choice. Early success will be helpful for other organizers to follow.
At any rate, John A. (read his reply below) reminds us that CDC guidelines may be forthcoming.
My preference would be June 2022.
There are still too many unknown variables to commit to this June. Not the least, the emerging COVID variants. Their enhanced transmission rates, and as yet unknown severity/mortality relative the the original viruses; whether any will evade current vaccines; whether they will become dominant and drive a new wave, and what effect that would have on guidance around large gatherings. What the actual trajectory of vaccination rates will be by then (how many folks will have in fact completed vaccinations at least 2 weeks prior — including our hosts in the community of McCloud, and folks below the age of 65.)
If the festival were to occur this September, I feel that masks ought still to be required. We don’t yet know what the future COVID landscape will look like, even then; can’t say I’d be comfortable being unmasked, cheek-to-cheek, in an enclosed space, for hours on end with folk from all over the country.
And this is not a commentary on whether my fellow dancers are responsible or trustworthy; it’s about the virus, which doesn’t give a damn about anything but its own survival.
Definitely not this June. There are still too many unknown variables. Emerging variants: their higher transmission rates, their effect on immunity conferred by vaccines, as well as the possibility of their instigating another wave. How the way this spools out may affect large gathering guidelines. Uncertainty of vaccination trajectory (how many folks — of all ages — will in fact have completed vaccination at least 2 weeks before the event, including our hosts in the community of McCloud).
My preference would be June 2022; but September at the earliest. Even then, I can’t say that I’d be comfortable hanging out cheek-to-cheek in an enclosed space for hours on end, with people from all over he country.
And if it does occur in September I feel that, based on what we know (or actually don’t yet know), that masks should be required, duly vaccinated or not.
Definitely wait until April or later to make a decision. The numbers suggest that vaccination is making a significant difference already — no matter the age of the person being vaccinated. Therefore, it seems reasonable to predict that September or later will be a far better time for us all — the vaccine should continue to reduce risk in substantial ways over time. I, too, want to be reassured that every attendee has been vaccinated.
I encourage you, Clay, to continue to confer with your event organizing colleagues around the world about this. I also encourage you to seek guidance directly from the CDC. They are not exclusively advising and making protocols for sports teams, but they consult weekly with first responders (firefighter/paramedic heads, hospital ER administrators, school districts) and other public health officials around the country.
Clay,
I say hold it in June as planned.
To begin, the tango demographic is, to put it delicately, in that age group that has been prioritized for the vaccine. Many of us will have had a full vaccination protocol a MINIMUM of two FULL weeks before the start of BT, Also, given the pending approval of the J&J single dose vaccine, the chances that everyone who might want to attend will be fully vaccinated look pretty good.
In my case, I get my second shot on March 16 and two weeks after that is the start of April. From my perspective, I’ll be good to go April 1 (no April Fool joke, seriously).
Consequently, I think you can safely hold BT and we can all safely attend IF EVERYONE is required – REQUIRED – to show proof of full vaccination a minimum of two weeks before the start of BT. Anything less than that is courting tragedy.
The vaccine age restrictions mean that you will not be able to hire any instructors who are below the age floor or maybe have no instructors at all. The vaccination requirement also means that this year, BT might be smaller than we are all used to. You may have to impose a surcharge to the registration fee. I would have no problem at all with this, in no small part, because it would mean fewer people on the pista. So sign me up!
Finally, McCloud is at altitude and by holding BT in September it means the ambient temperature will be down, especially at night. That means closed doors and windows and restricted ventilation. Precisely what the CDC cautions against.
Jess,
Well said! I am 100% in favor of all attendees, staff, teachers (if any) and DJ’s being completely vaccinated and out of the post vaccine waiting period. Your idea of the proof of vaccine is as you say, the only way to hold BT safely in June
Support the idea of requiring vaccinations.
And proof of vaccination.
If you trust the vaccine then it shouldn’t matter whether others are vaccinated or not. I think it is important that all do what they think is best for themselves and take the risks they are comfortable with, not dictate what others have to do.
Kelly, your argument, essentially “every man/woman for him/herself”, won’t work. Allowing every person to dictate their personal risk level is precisely what got us this deeply into this mess. To get out of it, we MUST have uniformity and we must all act in concert.
For instance, I may not have been vaccinated but I feel pretty good. On top of that, my tolerance for risk is pretty high because I’m macho, so I decide to go to BT. What I didn’t foresee is that I got exposed one week before BT. I also didn’t foresee that I would be asymptomatic even though by the time BT comes around I am shedding virus like crazy.
What I didn’t know and could not foresee, is that a waiter at the local restaurant in McCloud, or the clerk at my hotel, or a member of the tango community, is immunocompromised for whatever reason, lung transplant, kidney transplant, chemotherapy, and by coming into contact with me, I’ve just killed them.
So, yes, it very much does matter if everyone else has been vaccinated. That is the ONLY way to gather safely. McCloud could be COVID free but we are bringing hundreds of variables into the equation by holding BT and it is incumbent upon us to do so as safely as possible for everyone’s sake. You see, you are responsible for my health and I am responsible for yours.
I vote for June 2021, but if it has to be rescheduled then I hope for September!
I vote for September. If that doesn’t work, then next June.
June is my first choice (hopefully this year but also in the future). I think lots of people will have had been vaccinated within the next couple months. (I will have both shots within the next 2 weeks.) The supply is ramping up quickly. September has other conflicting events but if you schedule it then I’ll try to attend if possible.
Clay,
I think it’s wise to wait until the first week of April to make a decision on BT 2021. In any case, I would think restricting attendance to people who have completed their vaccinations for covid and have the requisite 3 weeks after the last dose for full immunity or if a single dose vaccine the same 3 weeks after the one dose. That would apply to attendees, teachers, DJ’s and staff. Moreover, for me it would have to be verifiable also. The little card you receive when you get your vaccination could serve for that issue. Masks? Great idea but impossible to implement or enforce. The mask wearing where I live in San Luis Obispo county is so sketchy; I don’t think it would be any different at BT. That said, if masks were required and everyone was completely on board with proper masks, properly worn covering mouth and nose, that might work. I don’t want to be a pessimist, but I don’t think that is realistic.
In addition any gathering is going to be dependent on what the county says is possible regarding large gatherings. If the numbers of infections and cases are too high, not going to be possible under any circumstances. No doubt the CDC is going to weigh in on gatherings; I’d think any organizer would have to respect their guidance also.
A lot is going to happen between now and April. More data will certainly guide the decision. If BT is not able to happen in June, postponing until September is okay with me.
I feel that waiting til next year would be best to ensure that those who choose to be vaccincated are and that hopefully , the world will be at some sort of agreement as to how many people can attend an event, the infection control, etc has been decided.
Just to be very clear , I would not attend any milonga that did not have vaccination restrictions for attendees. I don’t see social distancing rules as being adequate when we are dancing with different partners. Best to be conservative when starting up milongas.
Hello All,
It is also my preference that all participating have received the vaccine and I hope that enough people will have that happen by then so it can be put on in June and still be economically feasible for the organizers.
June is my first preference but I would not turn down the possibility of September (First half of September would be best)
I was just looking at the site for another festival that is planned to be held a few months after BT and think their protocols (To Date!) are worth looking over. Some may apply and some may not but it is a starting point:
These are some basic things that will be implemented by the organizers if necessary..
1) The ballroom and dance floor will be large compared to the allowed number of attendees. If registration dictates, a second space will be added.
2) Cortinas will be a full minute to allow time to wash hands with every partner change.
3) Attendees will maintain the same seat for each milonga. Less chairs per table.
4) No seats will be right against the floor. This area will be reserved for handwashing stations.
5) There will be no communal food served. All snacks will be pre-wrapped individual items.
Obviously you cannot change the ballroom size, but it does beget the question of how Few participants are need to make BT “worth” doing, both in terms of profitability as well as Fun!
There is also a very well worded section about the fact that all participants Must Adhere to all protocols and they will sign a waiver/agreement and of acceptance of the covid protocols to participate.
My gut tells me this will happen! I certainly hope it is going to work for everyone’s sake.
I know that I will be asking all the folks sharing the house I rent to follow some new rules as it just seems the sane thing to do. I do not believe that covid-19 is going to disappear from out lives for a very long time but I am convinced that with care to details and the vaccinations we can cut it back to something we will learn to live with. It just takes everyone caring about what is happening around them and how it may affect others. (A few years back I caught a terrible cold the day before BT and I chose to miss the entire Thursday, Friday events…drinking copious amounts of orange juice, overloading on C, and doing a few dozen NYT Sunday crossword puzzles (I save them up) and sweating it out….before “joining the living” on Saturday night. It is just the thing any of us would do. Right?)
Hi!
I live in San Luis Obispo County, CA, and will get my first Covid shot next week. I’m in the 65+ Category. So it looks like I will be able to attend Burning Tango, as scheduled, and will be protected from those who, for one reason or another, have not yet been vaccinated. The only issue for me would be housing—for which I usually have made arrangements by March. I hope you can present this season with as few restrictions as possible. This is assuming that by June 1, we will all have had a chance to choose the vaccine, or defer. Thank you!!
I would attend milonga that are restricted to people who have completed vaccinations.
I am in favor of milongas attended by people who have completed vaccinations.
Olaf
Since I can’t come in September, I’d vote to postpone to June 2022.. Personally, I think this June is too soon to have a big crowd of close contact people together for hours on end, and I don’t think I would attend this year.
I guess I’d rather have it in June if it meets certain rules regarding only people who have had both doses of the vaccine and within 3 weeks of the event.
If you postpone to September I ask that you not conflict with other events such as Albuquerque encuentro, if it happens in 2021. That is usually Labor Day weekend.