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Just got to watch Fauci do a QA focused on performing arts, I'll probably do a mindmap of it but here's the quick takeaways (nothing gigantic but I know we all want to know so I'm spreading the word):
1) We have two good vaccines (90%+ efficacy means they work well) and several more in the pipeline, this is good and means we'll be able to get out of this and be performing again.
2) Reopening performing arts safely is contingent on achieving a high vaccination rate in the community.
3) If you are planning a tour know that touring to a place with low vaccination/high cases is risky and will increase spread.
4) Once you are vaccinated that doesn't mean you're safe to be unmasked in the audience/perform alongside unvaccinated people: you can still spread the virus from one place to another and thus make things worse in your community. Continue wearing a mask and being safe.
5) Fauci still expects that April 2021 we will begin making vaccines available to everybody and --if it goes smoothly and we get enough people vaccinated-- by Fall 2021 it may be safe to start reopening performance arts.
6) Venues: HEPA filters, airflow, distance, masking, hand sanitizer, concessions at distanced seats instead of crowded lobby -- these are all things that will help, some might be worth considering making permanent features.
7) Culture change: ongoing it would be good for people to normalize staying home when sick or having a cold [my note: for "show must go on" types this is going to be rough], washing hands, wearing masks if you have a cold.
8) Things performing arts can do: be public about our vaccinations to help encourage others who look up to us, venues as a site of vaccination.
/fin This was an 8 point #thread of items on a QA with Fauci re: performing arts and Covid hosted by Maurine Knighton from @DorisDukeFdn, sponsored by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals @APAP365
NYTimes culture reporter Julia Jacobs ( @juliarebeccaj) has a writeup: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/arts/fauci-coronavirus-performing-arts.html
