To close out the month, and first half of the year, we connect the somewhat distant past with the not-so-far-off future. San Diego Comic Con returns July 21-24, 2022 with Preview Night on the 20th. The show floor, or break-out sessions, will look nothing like the Featured Image, taken seven years ago.
SDCC apparently didn’t get the memo that SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)/COVID-19 is endemic and no longer pandemic. Locally, people move freely about without being required to wear masks, be tested, or verify vax status. Based on the official tally, the cumulative-calculated case fatality rate in San Diego County is 0.64 percent. Meaning: Your chance of surviving Coronavirus is better than 99 percent, while more than 85 percent of those infected likely show no symptoms.
But why let science get in the way of fear and allow attendees to freely romp about or to dress up as the characters they aspire to be? The, ah, official policy, according to the Cons’s COVID-19 FAQ:
In an effort to create a gathering that accommodates our stakeholders safely, in addition to following current healthcare and governmental guidelines, everyone attending Comic-Con will be required to wear an approved face covering regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings should completely cover the nose and mouth, fit snugly against the sides of the face, and not have any gaps. For more information and requirements on acceptable face coverings, please click here.
In addition to wearing an approved face covering, you will be required to provide verification of full COVID-19 vaccination status or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours. SDCC reserves the right to modify requirements or limits for attending or participating in activities.
Not that anyone vaccinated tests positive? Just ask the American face of COVID-19 information, Dr. Anthony Fauci, who this month tested positive (again) despite quadruple-vaxxing. So if the fine folks at Comic-Con are being so pedantic to require testing, on top of masking, why not include everyone? If you’re going to be difficult, don’t stop short of doubly punishing everyone.
Behind the mask, I would expect to see more faces like the dude in the companion shot: Unhappy. But misery will be covered. Hey, just saying.
First photo vitals: f/2.2, ISO 64, 1/15 sec, 29mm; 6:26 p.m. PDT, July 8, 2015; iPhone 6 Plus. The other: f/4, ISO 200, 1/240 sec, 83mm; 11:51 a.m., July 11, 2015; Fujifilm X-T1.