I'm honestly really shocked that--against all odds--OKiCon ended up being Oklahoma's Shitty Con™ this year, rather than AOK.

AOK at least had the sense to *eventually* cancel.
OKiCon not only seems intent on still happening, but even seems to be doubling down on it 🤡

A Thread
I reached out to the con's owner recently, as I'm spending part of the Izumicon video talking about the (poor) current state of OK Anime Cons. I asked why the con wasn't cancelled yet, and the response I was given was basically "the state says we don't have to therefore we won't"
In response to this, I encouraged the owner to cancel anyways; to say nothing of the incredible risk the event would put people at, from a practical standpoint, it's still a bad idea.

Despite having no words, the response I got spoke volumes.
The state of OK is partially to blame here. We're one of 17 states with no mask mandate, and in the face of the leadership of our indifferent (shitty) governor, OK is putting the onus on events to cancel themselves rather than wait for state interference https://oklahoman.com/article/5675726/oklahoma-officials-place-responsibility-on-state-residents-after-huge-surge-in-covid-cases
Oklahoma officials place responsibility on state residents after...

NOV 7, 2020 - Another record-setting day of new COVID-19 infections prompted state health officials and Gov. Kevin Stitt to plead for Oklahomans to take precautions to slow the spread of the virus....

https://oklahoman.com/article/5675726/oklahoma-officials-place-responsibility-on-state-residents-after-huge-surge-in-covid-cases
Cases in OK are getting tremendously worse. They're surging way worse than they were even a month ago. Things are getting worse, not better. There's no sign of this alleviating by NYE.
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/0e8ccb659c804924b72ddc862ec0eadf?fbclid=IwAR1nYz0wE5c_0KkQyBUDgzwji-lO9-E7xHAOx-V0TO1B2XIZwOJvX3uYiiM
Worth noting for the non-Okies reading this:
OKiCon is set to happen in Cleveland county--currently the county with the third most cases, and neighbors Oklahoma county; the county with the most cases.
I think trying to get OKiCon to cancel is a lost cause tbh (but I'd love to be proved wrong). But I can, at least, raise awareness: Don't go to this con. This is irresponsible in the highest degree.
Believe me, I get it: I miss cons, too. I miss them tremendously. I'd give anything to be able to be at one right now. But it's more important that we don't make covid worse than it already is. It could save someone's life, not to mention their medical bills.
I was originally planning on waiting til my Izumicon video to say anything, but y'all know the speed at which I work on videos. With the covid cases surging in OK, I didn't wanna wait any longer than I had to.
Oh, ps

Some bonus fun facts:

OKiCon's parent company, Fandom Events LLC

Both of their Texas events (Midessanime, EcchiExpo) were cancelled/postponed.

So y'know 🤷
Probably should've put this in the thread for any smartasses who wanna point out that somehow, OKiCon wouldn't be the first con to happen in OK this year 🤡🤡🤡
some relevant watching material: a video on what AnimeZing--another anime con that decided to happen despite the pandemic--and what it was like
(by the lovely @bestgirlyazy)
[audibly sighing]
can't believe I had to explain to someone that grocery shopping is essential and that cons aren't, but I guess if that's what has to be done
Great point someone else mentioned on fb; you can believe people will follow safety precautions as much as you want, but knowing the target audience (people who don't care enough about not spreading covid to keep em from a con) it's unlikely precautions will actually be followed
Great point someone else mentioned on fb; you can believe people will follow safety precautions as much as you want, but knowing the target audience (people who don't care enough about not spreading covid to keep em from a con) it's unlikely precautions will actually be followed
Great point someone else mentioned on fb; you can believe people will follow safety precautions as much as you want, but knowing the target audience (people who don't care enough about not spreading covid to keep em from a con) it's unlikely precautions will actually be followed
OKiCon "responded" to my thread; there's WAY more to it than just this (lmk if you want me to link it to you) but it's just an elongated version of that first message the owner sent me: the state says they don't have to, therefore they won't
🤡
OKiCon "responded" to my thread; there's WAY more to it than just this (lmk if you want me to link it to you) but it's just an elongated version of that first message the owner sent me: the state says they don't have to, therefore they won't
OKiCon "responded" to my thread; there's WAY more to it than just this (lmk if you want me to link it to you) but it's just an elongated version of that first message the owner sent me: the state says they don't have to, therefore they won't
fuck it. Here's OKiCon's full response; made in a facebook group, and not their official page, mind you.

1/2

TL;DR - the state says we don't have to cancel the event, therefore we won't.
fuck it. Here's OKiCon's full response; made in a facebook group, and not their official page, mind you.1/2TL;DR - the state says we don't have to cancel the event, therefore we won't.
fuck it. Here's OKiCon's full response; made in a facebook group, and not their official page, mind you.1/2TL;DR - the state says we don't have to cancel the event, therefore we won't.
fuck it. Here's OKiCon's full response; made in a facebook group, and not their official page, mind you.1/2TL;DR - the state says we don't have to cancel the event, therefore we won't.
fuck it. Here's OKiCon's full response; made in a facebook group, and not their official page, mind you.1/2TL;DR - the state says we don't have to cancel the event, therefore we won't.
2/2

again: TL;DR - the state says we don't have to cancel the event, therefore we won't.
2/2again: TL;DR - the state says we don't have to cancel the event, therefore we won't.
2/2again: TL;DR - the state says we don't have to cancel the event, therefore we won't.
2/2again: TL;DR - the state says we don't have to cancel the event, therefore we won't.
clowns is what they are, jesus bike riding christ
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