Returning to the dance studio safely (covid-19)

[worddancer]

I'm sure there were cases. All the old non-hot-spots are now hot-spots because that's how the virus work when you reopen. It didn't go away.

 

[snapdancer]

Tables were space well apart, each table only had one studio group at it. ..... There was no restaurant hanging out, no bar time, no real socializing. Just dance and go.

Those behaviors should limit the spread if anyone was infectious.

 

[raindance]

Those behaviors should limit the spread if anyone was infectious.

That will help, but no masks on those dancing may have the opposite effect. Hard to know for sure without data, of course.

It's interesting that most dancers were from out of town - I think at the moment, the same people who think flying is an acceptable risk are likely to be the ones who think group events like a dance competition are also an acceptable risk. There is a spectrum out there - some people aren't even comfortable with the potential risks of local shopping and dining, yet.

 

[raindance]

I'm sure there were cases. All the old non-hot-spots are now hot-spots because that's how the virus work when you reopen. It didn't go away.

Well, it's what happens when you open early, before full contact tracing and the ability to quarantine new cases are in place, and without training the population on proper precautions including masks. Europe is having somewhat better experience with that, so far.

 

[worddancer]

European countries aren’t wearing face masks and their schools are open. They are a different world.

In the US, even NYC is having problems with contact tracing, there’s several news articles about it.

 

[raindance]

European countries aren’t wearing face masks and their schools are open. They are a different world.

In the US, even NYC is having problems with contact tracing, there’s several news articles about it.

But they didn't get there until after they got things under control. We're trying to open everything without getting it under control first. I agree we're having trouble with contact tracing, that was part of my point.

 

[bry_dancer]

I'm currently planning to compete in mid august so this gives me an idea what to expect in terms of how it may feel different than a pre virus comp.

I will also be watching the data coming out of these type of events to start getting an understanding of the risk. I'm definitely in the low risk category myself but don't want to be foolhardy either.

I'm thinking the plane flight and time on the floor with strangers are probably the riskiest parts of a comp? Though I imagine with lower numbers of participants you can spread out on the floor?

 

[Joe]

Your flight was full? Was that a function of airlines reducing their schedules, or are people back to traveling now—was the airport(s) busy too?

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

I got tested before I went

HOW??? I haven’t been able to get tested, even when I was right there at the testing site asking for one. When I took my daughter for her test (a couple months ago when it turned out she had strep), they refused...even though I’d been living with two people who had recently returned from living abroad, AND I’d been caring for my daughter (who had enough symptoms the doctor sent her to get tested). But because I had no symptoms, they said they couldn’t test me.

 

[snapdancer]

More testing became available sometime in May, so they relaxed the criteria to be eligible for a test. Those may tighten with all the spikes going on, I've read that there are long lines in Houston.

 

[GGinrhinestones]

HOW???

I had a similar experience back in March, but 2-3 months later testing is much more widespread no matter where you are, it seems. Walgreens will test anyone, for free - at least in Washington State, though they’re a major pharmacy so I imagine that policy continues elsewhere.

 

[GGinrhinestones]

I'm definitely in the low risk category myself but don't want to be foolhardy either.

I'm thinking the plane flight and time on the floor with strangers are probably the riskiest parts of a comp? Though I imagine with lower numbers of participants you can spread out on the floor?

There is no such thing as “low risk,” just higher risk and everyone else. And that “everyone else” category just means less likely to have serious complications and die. You may actually be more likely to spread it to others because you don’t feel as sick.

The time on the floor, unless you spend a whole lot of it there, is probably not the riskiest part here. The time sitting or standing around in the ballroom is, or practicing in the halls outside, or milling around the vendors.

I am not in a high risk category either, but it makes me very nervous to see pictures from recent comps. Not because people on the floor aren’t wearing masks, but because the people on the sidelines weren’t. At a minimum, I would expect And want to see masks on when you aren’t actually on the floor dancing. That includes judges, hotel staff, competitors, visitors, etc. Makes for some tricky makeup situations, but so be it. I’m glad to hear the comp Larinda judged at least had the judges wearing masks.

I don’t know, though...if the competition experience really is down to “show up, dance, leave” without any of the socializing, I think that would significantly alter the experience and the fun for a number of people. Take the “social” out of social dancing, even at a competition, and what is left? Is it worth it?

 

[raindance]

My County's Health Dept. offers the test with a doctor's note. I simply called and said "hey I am traveling can I get a test?" and the nurse called it in for me. I drove up, got swabbed, and drove off. Next day the nurse called with my negative results, so I went to work.

Great to hear that tests are becoming more available! I think it still varies a lot from place to place, but it's improving.

 

[bry_dancer]

There is no such thing as “low risk,” just higher risk and everyone else. And that “everyone else” category just means less likely to have serious complications and die. You may actually be more likely to spread it to others because you don’t feel as sick.

Yes, I would be in the "everyone else" category since I'm young-ish and have no underlying conditions. I also work completely from home and have no contact with older relatives.

That said, just dancing with a pro in the current climate is much riskier than stopping dancing entirely. I have friends in the higher risk category that have done that. The reality is this is a spectrum and everyone has to decide how much risk they want to take on vs risk to society and enjoyment of their own lives. It's a question we are all struggling with right now.

At a minimum, I would expect And want to see masks on when you aren’t actually on the floor dancing. That includes judges, hotel staff, competitors, visitors, etc. Makes for some tricky makeup situations, but so be it.

Agreed that the riskiest part may be when you are just spectating in the ballroom especially if the tables are not properly distanced. I plan to wear a mask when not dancing. And thankfully being a male lead I don't have to worry about makeup!

 

[IndyLady]

I don’t know, though...if the competition experience really is down to “show up, dance, leave” without any of the socializing, I think that would significantly alter the experience and the fun for a number of people. Take the “social” out of social dancing, even at a competition, and what is left? Is it worth it?

Before all this happened, I was planning on attending a comp in December, presumably with a decent-sized group from my studio. I'm really not sure now and frankly inclined towards "no" (though I said that about Showcase too, and look how that turned out). Seriously, I do not want to drop a huge amount of money and subject myself to air travel only to find that the comp ends up being super small and it's "show up, dance, leave". And I'm sure there will be lots of, uh, encouragement from the studio to attend regardless. However it plays out, I think it will be a tough decision with some difficult conversations along the way.