The links below represent a wide range of topics in news articles, resources, and journal articles. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) identified in the respective articles, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Odyssey Medical, or the author of this blog post.
FOREWORD:
We ended June ranking 20th in terms of the number of confirmed COVID-cases around the world, according to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Centre. At the end of July, we are now ranked 22nd – a certain sign that Canada is doing relatively well in flattening the curve.
This edition of the Media Scan will focus on the future: What kind of guidelines for mass gatherings or sports events? How would a music festival or rave fit into the physical-distance world? We will also shift back into our regular EMMS feature in looking at harm reduction.
As usual, we welcome your feedback and comments.
Guidelines
As we emerge from COVID-19 spring season, and as we look into the 2021 event season, what are the recommendations and guidance for hosting events? We included 4 different resources looking at specific sectors in the event industry.
(Scotland) Coronavirus (COVID-19): events sector guidance
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-events-sector-guidance/
UCI procedures to be followed when the 2020 season of road cycling competitions resumes
https://www.uci.org/docs/default-source/medical/re-opening-of-the-season—procedures-to-be-followed.pdf
(US) COVID-19 Interim Guidance: Return to Sports
https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-interim-guidance-return-to-sports/
(UK) COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Guidance for Road Race and Multi-Terrain Race Organisers in the UK
https://www.runbritain.com/covid-19-uk-road-race-guidance
The Future
We know the 2020 event season is virtually all but completely wiped out as a result of COVID-19. Some of the events are struggling financially and may not be returning again.
However, for those who can weather the storm, what does the future look like for 2021 and beyond? “pig pens”, socially-distanced circles, empty rows are just some of the options being explored.
What will 2020’s “pandemic-proof” music festival season look like?
https://www.nme.com/features/what-will-2020s-pandemic-proof-music-festival-season-look-like-2702224
Do drive-in concerts offer a safe return to live music before 2022?
https://nypost.com/2020/07/23/do-drive-in-concerts-offer-a-safe-return-to-live-music-before-2022/
Socially distanced ‘pig pens’ could replace mosh pits at ‘COVID-safe’ concerts and festivals
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-14/pig-pens-the-new-mosh-pits-for-covid-safe-outdoor-concerts/12452568
Empty rows and musicians behind shields could be the future of live music
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/empty-rows-and-musicians-behind-shields-could-be-the-future-of-live-music-1.5017107
The future of live music? Flower crowns, face masks and hand sanitizer
https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/the-future-of-live-music-flower-crowns-face-masks-and-hand-sanitizer
COVID May Make Festivals Too Expensive For Most
https://www.edmtunes.com/2020/07/covid-festivals-too-expensive/
Hosting Concerts During a Pandemic Puts the Future of Live Music at Risk
https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/5dzyj8/hosting-concerts-during-a-pandemic-puts-the-future-of-live-music-at-risk
Research
it comes as no surprise that mass gatherings are considered to be “high risk” events for the spread of COVID-19. Parties in Kelowna, BC over the Canada Day long weekend resulted in almost 140 confirmed cases, and over 1000 people being required to self-isolate.
A German researcher is interested in exploring how mass transmission work. Any volunteers?
German coronavirus experiment enlists help of concertgoers
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/20/german-coronavirus-experiment-enlists-help-concertgoers-tim-bendzko
Most People With Coronavirus Won’t Spread It. Why Do a Few Infect Many?
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/30/science/how-coronavirus-spreads.html
‘Superspreading’ events, triggered by people who may not even know they are infected, propel coronavirus pandemic
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/07/18/coronavirus-superspreading-events-drive-pandemic/
Harm Reduction
Readers from our January edition of the EMMS may recall the State of New South Wales in Australia enacted some tough regulations over music festivals in the name of safety and security. Interesting to note a report determined the regulations did not achieve the objectives they set out to do.
You may also find interests in two separate journal articles looking at the outcome of drugs analysis at music festivals in Australia and New Zealand.
Tough regulations to make NSW music festivals safer did not reduce drug-related incidents: report
https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/nsw-festival-regulations-did-not-reduce-drug-incidents/12474968
Festival testing: A survey of suspected drugs seized from New Zealand music festivals, December 2018 to March 2019
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073820302292
Toxicological analysis of serious drug-related harm among electronic dance music festival attendees in New South Wales, Australia: A consecutive case series
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871620302350v
(UK) Teenager died from ecstasy overdose at music festival, coroner finds
https://www.advertiserandtimes.co.uk/corey-kendall-festival-death
Photo Credit
Cover Photo: Mural painting in Vancouver by Sarah Orsmond Photo taken by Stephen Chui
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
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Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash