It would seem that Reedpop and New York Comic Con did get back to me, after I reached out to them regarding the wearing of masks not being enforced at NYCC 2022. Though, to be honest, the reply feels more like an excuse and less of a “we know, we need to do better.” Here’s the reply that was sent to me after NYCC 2022 wrapped up.
Hello Keith,
We understand the importance of wearing approved face covering while indoors at NYCC. We should’ve been stricter in terms of implementing the mask requirement and ensure that everyone will comply while inside Javits.
We will make sure to share your feedback to our Show Management Team.
Thank you for your time and support to NYCC.
I’m not sure how sharing my feedback will do much of anything, given that it was Reedpop and New York Comic Con who had stated they would enforce masks while inside the event. It wasn’t just me calling this behavior out, so it’s not like I’m doing this for clicks. I truly want my fellow geeks, nerds, and everything else we’re calling ourselves anymore to be protected. If I had traveled any distance to attend an event and spent a considerable amount of money, so to see that what we were told turned out to be a lie, I’d be highly upset.
I’m hoping in a few days we’ll hear an official statement regarding what went on, and how they’ll do better doing this dangerous and highly infectious climate in that we live.
Original article below:
Today is the day that the 2022 New York Comic Con is underway, and tons of geeks, nerds, and various others are descending to New York’s Jacob Javitz Center. Except, there’s a problem… a major problem, and one that I’m highly frustrated about. That being, the lack of masks being worth at the event, and the factor that Reedpop and New York Comic Con had stated would be in effect.
Heading over to NYCC’s health section of its website, you’ll see that the following is stated.
“With the evolving nature of the COVID-19 situation, we are constantly looking at the published guidance from federal, state, and local health authorities and government and trying to ensure our decisions accommodate all our customers and promote a safe gathering.
As an extra precaution for New York Comic Con 2022, we have made the decision to require approved face coverings for all participants at all times while indoors at NYCC. Verification of vaccination or proof of negative test are not required for admission to the Javits Center or NYCC 2022.”
Except, that doesn’t appear to be what’s happening, at least for the moment.
I’ve seen various photos, videos, and posts from people already at the event, as well as from several of our staff who are at the event and have come back to me stating the same thing. There’s a severe lack of mask-wearing happening inside the Jacob Javitz Center!
Not expecting any sort of mask enforcement at #NYCC. On lines to get in and inside on the show floor, many people, con goer and exhibitor alike, are foregoing masks with staff and security not saying a word to them. Seems to be self enforcement this year.
— NYCCBlog (@NYCCBlogger) October 6, 2022
Was pleased that @reedpop would be requiring masks for #NYCC but all the video/pictures I've seen on here so far it's like.. Hard to find anyone wearing them. Kinda shitty for the folks who decided to travel here to go based on an expectation of some level of mitigation attempts
— Michael Caine's House in Children of Men (@MorningsideTomb) October 6, 2022
Easily more than half the people I'm seeing at #NYCC are not wearing masks. This is bad @NY_Comic_Con
— Josie 🐱 (@jrhodescook) October 6, 2022
Just a head's up: they are not enforcing masks at NYCC. 😑 pic.twitter.com/GL9mCH3IlW
— Jedi Librarian Jackie (@JacksBee) October 6, 2022
I’ve already reached out to Reedpop to see if they have any plans to start enforcing the wearing of masks.
Now, I get it. The venue is massive, and trying to force everyone to wear a mask may seem like a daunting task, but it needs to be done. For comparison, the recent 2022 San Diego Comic-Con didn’t put up with this nonsense and forced pretty much everyone to wear masks. From what I understand, it was handled damn well, and I was hoping it would be the same for Reedpop’s New York Comic Con. Except, for now, it isn’t.
The point is that COVID-19 is far from being an issue, despite what some people would have you think otherwise. This pandemic is still waving at us whenever we turn our backs. I know many of us would have loved to see something that was a requirement being enforced.
I’ll update this article when I hear back from Reedpop regarding this matter. This isn’t about clicks. It’s about the safety of my fellow human beings. And if you don’t like that, you’re reading the wrong outlet’s content.
