Hamvention 2022: COVID Superspreader?

From many accounts it looks like Hamvention®'s return post-COVID has been a success, with over 31,000 attending the big event in Xenia. 

pic.twitter.com/QT5yH9v6cw

— Dayton Hamvention® (@hamvention) May 27, 2022

From many Twitter accounts, however, it looks like COVID may be alive and well in whatever variant that it's currently undertaking.

A search on Twitter using tags "hamvention" and "covid" yield several tweets of Hamvention® attendees that subsequently tested positive for COVID upon their return home.

Most attendees that tested positive are reporting mainly fatigue and cold symptoms. Being an international event, several attendees from outside the US also reported testing positive.

My son VA3LML has tested positive also. I tested negative but haven't felt great. That 4th shot doing its work I'm guessing.

— Pierre Fogal (@pierre_fogal) May 27, 2022

Yes me too. Tested Covid positive 24 hours after my return to the UK. Struggling to breathe - never felt so ill in all my life.

— Allan Duncan (@gm4zuk) May 27, 2022

It is not known how many of these attendees were vaccinated, boostered, etc. 

Hamvention®'s statement prior to the event about COVID was mainly that they were "monitoring events closely" and going by the state and local guidelines, and that they didn't anticipate the State of Ohio cancelling large events. They also stated COVID testing was not planned and recommended masks.

However, from some accounts, masks were a rare sight amongst the 31k in attendance, although some accounts say mask wearing was more noticeable indoors than outside.:

Outside almost everyone without masks. Inside maybe 1-3% masked. Heard there was a Covid outbreak and some think it started with the contest dinner which was packed.

— Peter K8PT (@k8ptpete) May 27, 2022

I was there. Saw several people wearing masks. Not the majority, though.

— Robert L. Burns (@rlburns37) May 27, 2022

Some commented they chose to stay home, as they were positive before the event or still uncertain about the possibility of catching the virus.

Never been, but've always wanted to. Usually no money, or time.

This year, I had plenty of both - could've gone, w/ plenty of cash on hand for the flea market.

But I see nearly everybody behaving as if Covid is over. Not mingling with a crowd of smart, unwise people.

Uff-da.

— Kelvin - n0mql - EN35ld (@kelvin0mql) May 27, 2022

Various accounts are reporting 50-100+ attendees, and will probably climb as the 2-week gestation is still ongoing, still it's a remarkably low number (of those that are posting) considering the number of attendees after a 2-year hiatus.

Checking some of the groups on Facebook have not yielded many users reporting contracting COVID. Any reports on social media are still basically hearsay and at this point it may be near-impossible to gauge/track actual numbers.

Again the numbers are so low that it's almost like comparing the infection rates to that of the common cold, or any other virus that made headlines in the last 20 years pre-COVID.

Considering the past two years of COVID cancellations of many events across the realm of sports, entertainment, and conventions, the Hamvention® was another event that had to occur to get this world back to a sense of normalcy. Is it any more or a risk than the Super Bowl Big Game, Vegas/Orlando conventions, or the NBA and Stanley Cup playoffs with multiple games in sold-out arenas?

By now we've all been educated on how to prevent catching the virus, with hand sanitizer, masks, and vaccinating ourselves. While we cannot guarantee we'll never get sick, we should continue to take precautions against ANY virus.

Common sense against the common cold would dictate good hygiene practices in daily life such as washing your hands, wearing a mask when required/recommended, and getting flu shots and the necessary vaccinations will prevent the spread of most any disease along with COVID. 

Stay healthy!

Pandemics, Elections, and Comets, Oh My!

 Is it safe to come out now?

This whole Covid-19 Pandemic can just stop at anytime now, can't it?

It's been a little over a year since I posted here and I've been so preoccupied with so many things I literally forgot I had this blog thing...

Where to start:

1. I got a new position at my job, so I'm no longer on the Service Desk, and while I'm sad I've left a good many friends behind with my new job, I moved my desk one aisle over...for all of two weeks before COVID-19 shut...it...down!  I've been working from home, which I'm fortunately able to do, but I miss the camaraderie and the ability to nag my coworkers for questions on the fly. Zoom has been an amazing videoconferencing tool but Zoom Fatigue is real and I can attest to it. While working from home saves on the gas expenses, it also can be costly when you don't use your car for so long the battery dies and needs replacing.
   
   
2. The plumbing plague from a year ago has not reared its ugly head further. We're still feeling the effects of it, however, in our quest to pay off the costs...
   
   
3. Comet NEOWISE made a visit through here in the Summer and I was fortunate enough to get a photo of it that got featured on Channel 10 here in Knoxville. I took the picture on Jes' birthday and it was one of probably 1000 pics I literally took that morning and the best one I got from the trip. A slight trip through Photoshop Express made it really turn out amazing:
   
   

   

   Comet NEOWISE

   
   
   
   It turned out so well I had it blown up into an 18x24 and got it framed in a barnwood/distressed wood frame. I just felt it was the best type frame for the photo:
   
   
   
   
   

   
   
4. I've traveled to Myrtle Beach twice, once after Christmas and again last month for my 22nd wedding anniversary. We were blessed with great weather and great accommodations both times. Just Jes and I were on these trips. We spent the majority of our time beachcombing for sharks teeth and seashells.
   
   
5. I've developed tendonitis in my shoulder. Currently undergoing physical therapy twice a week in order to prevent Frozen Shoulder from happening. I'm still not sure how it happened, but at first I thought it was a slight soreness that got worse while on our Myrtle Beach trip. As soon as I came back I went to the doctor who determined it was tendonitis. Hopefully it will heal sooner rather than the 1 year they gave me!
   
   
6. Both of my daughters are starting college at UT Knoxville. Lauren finally took the plunge and enrolled and Amber graduated L&N STEM and went right in to UT, both have been taking mostly online courses and are hoping to get more on-campus classes once COVID-19 ends. So far they are doing well, and adjusting to college better than expected.
   
   
7. I have probably made more treks up to Clingman's Dome this year than in previous years. While the Comet and COVID were a part of a few trips up, I've also gone up to watch SpaceX launch a Starlink batch from the Dome one morning! The pictures didn't turn out well, but hopefully I will have plenty of opportunities to see many more as they continue to send up Starlink satellites. I've been to the parking area probably over a dozen times this year, but not to the Dome itself except once. The reason was most of my journeys were at night. Other times were to catch a sunrise. It could make for some exhausting days, but capturing moments like this were worth it:
   
   

   

   A sunrise from the Dome Nothing better!
   

   
   
   
8. In case you've not noticed, I've ramped up my interest in photography. I've snapped a lot of pics during the pandemic, but most have been less than stellar. I'm still a rank amateur. I've been asked for my Instagram from some others I've run into when snapping the Comet, but I haven't posted a lot of my pics (yet!). Here's a few of my favorites:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   
   
   
9. And finally...on top of a Pandemic that's cancelled sports, forced many companies like mine to work from home more, created a fashion statement with masks, and has altered the way we look at the world and how we go about our daily lives, there's also going to be a Presidential election in less than two weeks.
   
   
   No matter who you prefer to be in the Oval Office, go out and vote! Both of my daughters will be participating in their first election this year.  Vote early, vote often!

 

Until next time, whenever that is...