ALL-PURPOSE COVID-19 SITUATION THREAD

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Tommy Dreamer's House of Hardcore Podcast: "I Had COVID"

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https://www.bodyslam.net/2021/07/27/exc ... nd-beyond/

With new cases of the delta variant of the COVID virus rising every day, cities and states across the country have began instating new mask and virus testing mandates. With more seemingly coming, there is now internal concern within AEW about plans going forward.

While speaking to sources within, I was told that AEW is extremely concerned about the recent surge in COVID cases possibly disrupting their events for Chicago, NYC, St. Louis and beyond. Over the last week discussions have ramped up internally as COVID cases have began to explode across the country. This has caused AEW to begin conversations about what to do if there is a shutdown, up to and including a potential prolonged return to Daily’s Place in Jacksonville once again.

Additionally, I was told that it’s an “all hands on deck” type situation currently. But, “ultimately Tony has to make a decision about what is right for the talent, staff, and [especially] the fans”. With the CDC now recommending national mask guidelines, the concern is that it’s only a matter of time before they recommend the banning of large gatherings.

I was told that right now their biggest concerns are the status of the upcoming shows in Chicago and New York City, as both cities have been proactive in regards to preventive measures as an attempt so stop the recent surge of new cases.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has recently said that the number of Chicago’s daily cases reported could necessitate the reinstatement of the city’s mask mandate, as well as other potential restrictions. As for New York, the city will now require it’s municipal workers to get vaccinated or they will face weekly COVID-19 tests. As for St. Louis, the city and county has also reinstated an indoor mask mandate on Monday, in an attempt to stop the spread of COVID-19.

So, internally AEW is continuing with their existing plans. But, they are paying close and constant attention to what local authorities in Chicago, and in Cook County, as well as other parts of the country are doing, as the company has potentially some of the biggest events in their history slated over the next few months.

We will keep you updated if we hear anything more about the future of AEW’s upcoming events with possible shutdowns across the country looming.

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https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/ ... mm7031e2_w

Event organizers and local health jurisdictions should continually assess the need for additional measures, including limiting capacity at gatherings or event postponement, based on current rates of COVID-19 transmission, population vaccination coverage, and other factors.§§§ On July 27, CDC released recommendations that all persons, including those who are fully vaccinated, should wear masks in indoor public settings in areas where COVID-19 transmission is high or substantial. Findings from this investigation suggest that even jurisdictions without substantial or high COVID-19 transmission might consider expanding prevention strategies, including masking in indoor public settings regardless of vaccination status, given the potential risk of infection during attendance at large public gatherings that include travelers from many areas with differing levels of transmission.

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https://www.bodyslam.net/2021/08/04/exc ... underdome/

WWE’s SummerSlam PPV is scheduled to take place on August 21st from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada… or so they hope.

It has previously been reported that with new cases of COVID rises daily, both AEW and WWE have been discussing contingency plans internally in case of more restrictions coming down regarding mass gatherings.

While speaking with sources within WWE, I was told that internally WWE expects that they will have to return to the Performance Center, or another venue for their ThunderDome gimmick within a couple of weeks.

Additionally, sources stated to me that the feeling internally is that SummerSlam can/will be cancelled. The feeling is that the company fully expects that they will not be on the road in four weeks time, as there is concern about “how they will be able to proceed in a non-contained environment.”

Currently the belief within WWE is that they do not expect another round of lockdowns, but are fully anticipating bans on mass gatherings to potentially come down over the next few weeks.

We will have to continue to monitor the situation, as vaccination rates are becoming stagnant. Meanwhile, more and more of the country is experiencing an uncontrolled spread of the Delta variant of COVID.

We will keep you updated as we hear more about this continually developing situation.

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https://www.nojazzfest.com/

JAZZ FEST 2021 WILL NOT OCCUR IN OCTOBER DUE TO COVID-19 CONDITIONS

2022 JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL SET FOR APRIL 29 – MAY 8

As a result of the current exponential growth of new COVID cases in New Orleans and the region and the ongoing public health emergency, we must sadly announce that the 2021 edition of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell, scheduled to take place October 8 –17, 2021, will not occur as planned. We now look forward to next spring, when we will present the Festival during its traditional timeframe. Next year’s dates are April 29 – May 8, 2022.

Ticketholders for both Festival weekends (including those that rolled over their tickets from 2020) will receive an email this week with details about the ticket refund and rollover process. All Wednesday, October 13 tickets will be automatically refunded.

In the meantime, we urge everyone to follow the guidelines and protocols put forth by public health officials, so that we can all soon experience together the joy that is Jazz Fest.

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The Atlantic's Ed Yost once again smashes it with another piece on the pandemic, this time trying his best to determine when this will finally end.

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/arch ... me/619726/

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The Defy promotion based in Seattle looks to be the first in the U.S. to say that for fan entry to their shows they have to show proof of either vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test.

https://www.postwrestling.com/2021/08/2 ... -concerns/

MLW has announced that it will not be running its War Chamber event in Texas next month due to rising COVID cases in the state.

The promotion was scheduled to run the Nytex Sports Centre in North Richland Hills, Texas on September 11th but have moved the card to March 31, 2022.

In the release, MLW stated that all tickets sold to the September show will be honored next March.

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https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-a ... 19-vaccine

For Immediate Release:
August 23, 2021

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.