Golden Memories

Reed Philly scheduled for the next  weekend after Chicago   has   canceled 

The good news is New York is coming back to life 

Massive protests in every major city in the country over the last three weeks , Yet despite 10's of thousands of people in close contact over a long period of time, No spikes in these cities ……… Keep in mind, that like the virus, The information we receive is constantly mutating.  In NYC massive protests with 20,000+ people were allowed, while at the same time a funeral with about 80 people was shut down, A man playing catch with his daughter in the park was fined, and  the gates of a small playground  were welded shut to keep residents away.  A crowd of over 50,000 people packed the Hollywood streets, literally cheek to cheek, , while residents were not allowed on the dry sand of the beach  . Look at this picture

Is this the pandemic we were warned about ?  Seems more like arbitrary fear mongering , 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/how-filmmaker-tommy-oliver-captured-hollywood-s-massive-black-lives-n1231121

So what it comes down to is do you believe the "experts" who have been DEAD WRONG  or your own eyes. My wife is a nurse and her hospital has one Covid patient, the neighboring hospital has 12 patiants total, because people are now scared of hospitals  This is Long Island, a former "epicenter"

 I could go on and on, but 

As to  the topic of this thread unfortunately  a New strain has been identified 

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/unique-coronavirus-strain-found-in-chicago-northwestern-study/2473010/

so it is highly unlikely we will see WW Chicago , 

According to the website; Phase 5 is "Post Pandemic"  which are not achievable in the near future 

Personally I think we are  already Post-pandemic, Judging by the mass gatherings with seemingly no effect in every major city in the USA 

Post-pandemic: Vaccine, effective and widely available treatment, or the elimination of new cases over a sustained period of time through herd immunity or other factors.

Vaccine at least a year away if at all

Treatments already available, 

What is a "sustained period of time" 

This just reads as "When I feel Like it" 

From the Rosemont website regarding the Donald E Stephens center :

https://www.dailyherald.com/business/20200506/pandemic-an-unprecedented-challenge-for-convention-centers-in-rosemont-schaumburg?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

It seems to me Rosemont is  shooting for a Fall re-opening 

WW seems right at the edge

They seem to have a fairly impressive guest list, so Maybe 

According to the convention center website, They are going to resume events as of July 17 

according TO ww THE EVENT IS ON 

However, as noted with the ongoing protests, and unknown covid situation its impossible to guARENTEE ANYTHING 

Chicago currently has no travel restriction and has supposedly passed into stage 3 which allows Hotels and Restaurants to open with restrictions .

Below  is the current status of Chicago from the cities website . Read the last 2 carefully. There is no way I can make plans based on the current information Especially as the city has reserved the right to close events . 

I know wizard is trying their best, But This event seems unlikely 

I will also note that many cities and states have simply outright banned "Super-Spreader" events (Not my term ) until at least 2021 

personally, I love this show, but I have had to pass 

FROM THE WEBSITE:

• Most public gatherings of more than 10 people are currently cancelled until further notice.
• Mayor Lori Lightfoot has ordered Chicago’s entire lakefront trail, adjacent parks, 606 Trail, and Riverwalk closed until further notice. The closures include all trails, bike paths, green spaces, facilities, and parks adjacent to the lakefront.
• Illinois state parks will be open for limited use. All shelters, playgrounds and visitors centers will remain closed until further notice. Concessions will be open at all sites.
• All major sporting events with large spectator crowds are cancelled until further notice. This includes school and college events as well as major league sporting events.
• All attractions and events are subject to changes and closures. We strongly recommend confirming the status of attractions and upcoming events by reaching out directly to the attraction, venue, or ticket provider before proceeding.

  I live in Long Island , which is the Suburb of NY NY has a policy of Slowwwwwwwwww opening 

  Currently the hospitals have almost no covid patients Despite this we are still in  Phase 1 of 4 of re-opening with 2 scheduled for 6/15 

  NYC has yet to even enter phase 1 . Phase 4!  is where they will Movie theaters and larger gatherings I don't know if this includes NYCC

  These events by the way are now referred to as "Super-Spreader" events and many states have already banned them until 2021 

  And if this wasn't complicated enough we have been hard hit by the current  riots, further delaying re-opening, plus the fact there were

 thousands of people in close proximity most unmasked, means  there may ne a spike in covid which could also delay re-opening 

 I am looking forward to NY comicon but at this point I just do not see it. 

 I also contacted My rep RE Reed keystone in Philly and was told they are still Moving forward with that. So I assume reed will try as hard as they can 

 to hold the show, but NY is tough 

11 hours ago, AndyFish said:

 

On 5/9/2020 at 1:24 PM, AndyFish said:

Mayor of Boston just banned large events until Labor Day (Sept 7).   Doesn’t bode well.   I know a lot of you think adamantly that this is “the right thing to do” I maintain the experts have been wrong all the way through, especially now that NYC is finding 60% of cases now coming in being people who don’t leave the house.   This is a very bad flu.   But hygiene keeps me from getting the flu every year.   I have zero underlying health conditions and I wash my hands like an insane germophobe.   If you have a compromised immune system stay home and hope it doesn’t creep in through the window cracks, let the rest of us get back to work.

It’s a shame that here in Boston, the birthplace of American democracy, that we would cower before this.   Ben Franklin once said; “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty or safety.”

Fan expo Seattle just bit the dust 

   We have crossed the Rubicon and there is no return . As a country, with a few exceptions, We have accepted that any mayor or governer can upend or destroy our lives and we will passively accept it.  One thing is certain, when you give up a right, you never get it back. As far this virus goes, the information we are getting is convoluted and so contradictory its impossible to believe anybody. First Human to Human transmission is Impossible, Then it was Difficult, Now its stunningly easy . This "lockdown" was supposed to be until there was assurance the hospitals would not be overwhelmed,  well in NY that's long since passed but I'm still "sheltering" with no end in sight, First its no Masks, Then Its Mandatory Masks. 1st its 2 million dead, the 200,000, the 60,000, now  120,000. Will this be over in  3 Months, ? will a second wave appear? Will this be a permanent fixture in America.? Depends which "expert" is speaking and on what day. Frankly a Monkey with a dartboard is just as reliable  The powers that be are constantly speaking out against the one drug that seems to actually work . As far as a Vaccine goes,  A safe Vaccine is at least 2 years away if it exists , and even then with 30+ variant strains it can at best be minimally effective 

     So what does that Mean for conventions ? Can a promoter run a show now with minimal guests and restricted attendance? How many dealers are going to  attend multiple events and interact with thousands of people in enclosed environments multiple times a year?  How many Potential attendees are just plain going to stop going?  What's going to happen in a crowded center when one person starts coughing, or tests positive? Remember the cruise ships? 

    Speaking as 61 year old dealer who was booked for 14 shows this year , Here are my future Plans :  Put more emphasis on smaller local 1 or 2 days shows.  2021 will see me cut my circuit in half and focus on shows that provide the best value for the  dollar and stay closer to home.

   I am greatly look forward to the 1st post-lockdown show to see where we stand. One this is certain The Pre covid shows are Gone.  An nothing will bring them back for the foreseeable future 

I maintain the experts have been wrong all the way through,

    I could Not agree More !  I'm In ny and I can tell you the Hospitals now have too Many beds , since the Corona cases have declined and the other patiants are scared to go to any public Hospital now.  I am in the Highest risk Group at 60+ with underlying conditions and I think these lockdowns have gone past the point of sanity . Very Disappointed to hear about Boston as I was Booked to set up there 

The Gov of Ill.  shows no signs of reopening anytime soon . Tuesday was the  highest death rate in a single day and yesterday was close 

  Since  Chicago is a Major city and the cases are trending up,   If Ill follows the pattern they should begin re-opening  toward the end of May.

  If that's the case , the chance of the Gov allowing a large convention in an enclosed center with thousands of people coming jn from all over

 the country is flat zero. 

   Wizards Next 2 shows are St Louis on 6/5  and Philly on 6/19 

St Louis I starting to reopen Monday with extreme restrictions and its not currently a hot spot ,  so maybe but very doubtful  

Philly in Penn which is a hot spot, and within easy driving distance of NY and NJ is a definite NO 

No word on the site about cancellations or rescheduling yet 

   Speaking as a dealer , I would not book at any of these shows tight now , so I can imagine what the attendees must be thinking 

  Nothing against WW,  to me, Its just not worth taking a chance 

14 hours ago, blazingbob said:

Heroes just cancelled.  Based on the email I just got I just became a Heroes 2021 convention booth bondholder.  Interest free loan 

Since the average Bank interest rate is below 1% I have no problem just transferring the funds 

look  at the bright side, I have a strong feeling at least one promoter will go  bankrupt this year in which case you can Kiss your deposit goodbye

Dollar for dollar Heroe's is on of the best values as far as booth spaces go, And I completely understand Sheldon's position as his e-mail explained:

"We are not receiving a refund from the Charlotte Convention Center, we are transferring our deposits from 2020 toward a 2021 show. Putting on a show the size and scope of the Heroes Convention is extremely expensive. All the money we have received from the purchase of 3-Day Advance Tickets, Artist Alley Tables and Exhibitor Booths is currently tied up in the cost of renting the Charlotte Convention Center, our decorator, and several other items that facilitate the show each year"

OUCH

BANG

GONE

     LOOKING FORWARD TO 2021 

   I love this con and my booth is already paid for , However the chances of any convention hall having thousands of people in an enclosed area anywhere, happening before fall at the earliest is almost 0 . Even if  phase three reads  as an increase in gathering capacities, I seriously doubt that means convention centers . I'm rootin' for Shelton, But, I just don't see it

FROM national 26 

 Find the Hidden Hitler

Some states, cities, towns , etc Have forbidden people from going out without at least a mask 

I suspect that will be nationwide soon, And I cannot forsee the return of any mass event where face masks are not mandatory, for 

this year at least . I do hope to see you and the rest of my friends in the near future 

Personally I will not the house without a mask and gloves. 

Agreed

     If you are uncomfortable stay home

    Face shields are easily available on ebay for around 12-$15

   If and when the conventions return I will be using The shield, mask And gloves 

BUILD YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM 

    Eat Foods High in Zinc and  C and take supplements

  DO THE RESEARCH ! 

 So I thought I would some information here

     It was previously Mentioned that 20% of covid patients develop heart issues

     I have seen the articles and none of them mention  chloroquine

    This supposed "wonder Drug"  has hideous  side effects , including 

    Liver damage, Brain Damage, Hallucinations, and others including inducing arrythmia 

https://www.newsweek.com/swedish-hospitals-chloroquine-covid-19-side-effects-1496368

   At my wifes hospital, anyone who takes this is REQUIRED to have a daily ekg , so the side effects are well known. 

   Also anyone who think a vaccine (still 2 years away) will close this out is mistaken for a number of reasons, first there at least

   9 known strains, second.  Also Scientists need to understand the pathogen (the same scientists who told us for months not to wear masks outside) in addition,  There have been numerous reports of persons supposedly cured becoming re-infected meaning

  this a very strong virus and vaccines will have minimal impact .

     What all this means is that we we will be dealing with this for a long time. 

  So how does this affect to comic market ?

       1) Some of my best customers were comic shop owners, buying for their customers , with shops closed all over the country and a recovery after the lockdown ends likely being slow, there goes a large portion of my market 

       2) Again as I sell golden age a large percentage of my customers are 50+ and many are unlikely  to feel safe enough to venture into a convention hall for quite some time , on other threads I see people saying they will avoid conventions , even some  insulting promoters for the ides of even having a show. 

      3) Large attendance conventions are unlikely for a while, my guess is August at best. 

      4) Even assuming the country opens on May 1, it will be slowly and in stages with a scared citizenry and thousands of small and medium businesses gone forever 

 I do not see "panic Selling"  unless this drags INTO 2021. But a downturn to some degree is inevitable 

 I completely disagree with the above post 

  I am currently in NY , the heart the current epidemic, and my wife is a registered nurse in Nassau county, right now one of  the hardest hit counties in NY , every day she goes into work knowing that not only is she going to have to fight for the correct protective equipment , but has to worry about passing covid on to me especially as I am in a vulnerable group being over 60 with serious underlying health issues 

    I studied the situation carefully and have done everything to protect myself, procedures which I recommend to everyone,

            aside from the government guidelines :

        1) Build your immune system, eat better, avoid fast food, avoid, preferably  any food you have not prepared yourself 

https://www.eatthis.com/foods-to-eat-when-sick/?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=msn-feed

        2) When you go out in public wear any covering that masks your nose and mouth, wear surgical disposable gloves 

              Easily available on amazon, no shortage 

       3) Take vitamin C supplements and Zinc, Right now doctors are treating covid with C and taking Zinc, do your own research

       4) AVOID AT ALL COSTS PUBLIC BATHROOMS 

       5) WHEN YOU COME IN FROM THE OUTSIDE, LEAVE YOUR SHOES AT THE DOOR AND SHOWER IMMEDIATELY PLACING YOUR CLOTHING IN A PLASTIC BAG AND LEAVING IT IN A COVERED CONTAINER 

       6) lET ANY PACKAGES YOU RECIEVE SIT FOR 48 HOURS BEFORE YOU TOUCH THEM UNGLOVED, This includes anything you buy from the supermarket , anything unboxed like fruit should be washed thoroughly , M

           Any person  failing to do any of the above, along with the government guidelines I believe is being reckless and irresponsible, but that's their choice

 To call a promoter Selfish or irresponsible  for hosting an event is to take away free choice,  Yesterday my friend went to a supermarket in Florida and it was jammed packed, No social distancing and less then 10% of the people wearing masks, should we arrest the market owner ?

  Where I live there is a speciality market that I used to go to , last time I went the store was packed and only about half the people were  wearing masks  so I chose to leave and stay away but it was MY CHOICE 

   I am a dealer and I plan to set up at any show that is going to be allowed by the state which at this point probably wont be till next  year. I am neither selfish, nor irresponsible, but an adult making a free choice knowing the risk as are the attendees 

   Here is what I would recommend to promoters when they are allowed to operate :

          Extend the hours to spread out the crowd, Limit the attendance so attendees can keep a safe distance, Do not allow children, do not allow anyone over 70, Hire medical professionals to screen attendees prior to entry ,and if they appear to be visibly sick ban them,   if they appear in distress have them take their temperature if necessary . This is the procedure at airports . Make sure there is convention center employee working full time , just to keep the bathrooms clean . Encourage attendees to report persons in the room who appear visibly sick and have procedures in palace to eject them

  To attendees :

      If you are going to be in contact with an at risk person stay home, If you are sick, stay home, If you are in at risk group stay home, Wear a mask and gloves at all times, avoid convention center food and bathrooms, If you see someone coughing or sneezing, report them to convention center  or promoters employees 

  If you are going to insist on waiting for a Vaccine , that is a year to two years away , and not always effective, 2 years ago the flu vaccine was less then 10% effective, and this year I believe it runs about 30% . Also keeping in mind there are at least 9 different strains of Covid-19 and doubtless there will be more as this thing continues to mutate 

   If the state of North Carolina decides  By June that it is sufficiently safe to attend large gatherings I will absolutely be there for Heroes con , with mask and gloves. no doubt with thousands of other people.  Calling anyone selfish or irresponsible so long as the obey federal and state guideline is completely unfair.  And of course anyone who disagrees is also free to boycott me as well 

    Thanks, Be safe, And remember , Cashiers, Truck Drivers, and others who keeping our country afloat, are heroes as well , 

 "The disturbing disconnect is we have half the population
who thinks virus will fade away, like magic, with the warm weather.  "

 You're not kidding.

     There is no "SNAP" that is going to return things to the old normal 

     We as a nation , who have mostly lived in opulence and prosperity unprecedented in human history,  have a tendency 

     To look at horrific events in foreign countries as not being possible in the USA . Covid  being no exception 

    As late as Feb. Most of the USA including a large portion of the Media, Looked at was what was going on in China as some

   Weird foreign event that was distant and no threat. Myself being no exception , and I'm a historian. Some ominous portents 

   are numerous states and cities informing their police departments no longer to persue "Non violent" crimes such as

   Burglery and car theft, while at the same time releasing thousand of criminals "for safety"

https://www.policeone.com/coronavirus-covid-19/articles/health-and-safety-police-shift-priorities-as-covid-19-crisis-grows-RMxUSeInSF7h7vzc/

My wife is a nurse , here are 2 very disturbing things she has told me 

   1) They are not testing nurses until and unless they exhibit visible symptoms 

   2) They are discharging patients who still exhibit symptoms to make room for more serious cases 

       These people are being sent home, (sometimes with oxygen) and told to isolate shelter in place 

Here is some advice , based on Multiple sources :

https://www.newswars.com/coronavirus-patients-being-treated-with-vitamin-c-at-new-york-hospitals/

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/vitamins-and-supplements/minerals/zinc/can-zinc-improve-your-immune-system/

     Increase your intake Of zinc and Vitamin C , Preferably through whole foods, or by supplements 

    Do not go out without a mask , or a bandana, and  disposable rubber gloves (easily available on ebay )

   If you believe you have been near a compromised person, when you get home , immediately shower and 

   put all the clothing you were wearing into a separate plastic bag. 

        previously some VERY bad advice was given , saying Masks do nothing 

   NOT TRUE   it won't be long before business forbid patrons without facial covering (wait and see) 

9 hours ago, silverseeker said:

I hope I'm wrong, but I suspect all large gatherings like conventions, concerts and professional sporting events will be prohibited until a coronavirus vaccine or some other treatment is found.

Assuming we can get the virus under control with shelter at home, social distancing, etc. it still won't completely go away until it can be treated, and all it would take is a handful of infected people at an event the size of SDCC to potentially start some kind of outbreak.

Thoughts? Like I said, I hope I'm wrong...

   You are 100% correct, at first I thought this would blow over in a few months and we would be back to normal, However I now realise the country has changed , even the thought of a giant convention hall packed with 10s of 1000s of  people and multiple  movie stars  seems like some weird dream 

    The transmission rate on this thing is unbelievable, back when they were tracking one person in Rochester infected over 50 people, just by going to a Synagogue. And its no longer just an "old mans virus" 40 percent of  people in NY hospitals are below 50 

   I can see returning to full  normal will be at least a year at best. This is not to say conventions are over. I can see local , smaller shows going on , and even some larger, non celeberity centered events in lesser affected states (charlotte) going forward . But , SDCC? with 100,000 attendees and a massive throng of Movie and TV people ? Not happening , at least not this year. Thats even assuming they can move out 1000+ homeless and reset and sanitize the center within 4 months 

    Even though it is likely prohibitions will be begin to lift fairly soon, Its unlikely events of 500 or more will be permitted before fall or winter , especially in NY and CA. and when they are, they will no doubt they will be "Celeberity free" As I cannot picture any A-lister at this point putting themselves into an enclosed arena with a large crowd.  

    Things will also be changing for dealers such as myself , I will hold that thought for another thread 

   Awesomecon / Washington Just rescheduled from May 1 to Dec 11 

  The shows this year are going to be a whole new ball game 

  As far as SDCC with San Diego currently transforming the convention center into the countrys largest homeless

  Shelter , I would think at this point having the show this year  is a coin flip 

  It gets weirder by the Day 

  San Diego Convention Center will now be a giant homeless shelter

  Javits center (NY comicon) is now a triage center for covid patients 

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/health/story/2020-03-23/county-aims-to-curb-virus-spread-among-homeless-some-say-effort-lacking

 Nickle City has cancelled 

  At this point is not logical to assume any show will be held before June 1 

  And also to assume the absence  of any celeberities for the remainder of the year 

 NY is unbelievable right now , they are using college dorms for patients 

  And The Javits center as well (Yes the NYCC Javits center)

     This is still being studied, Thus far

         The most frequent method of transmission is infect droplets from a sneeze or cough which hang in the air 

                  Or remain on surfaces, As far as that goes, there is a lot of conflicting information (The most frequent answer I have read is 2 to 3 hours ) then touched, and before washing and come in contact through eyes nose and mouth 

        I  could not find any published evidence  of transmission through open cuts or sores 

         There is evidence of fecal transmission meaning feces, vomit etc 

            If you are using a public toilet, clean the seat carefully and use paper covers , Even if it looks clean there could be droplets remaining, I have not found any evidence that it can absorbed anally, HOWEVER if you are not careful, you could absorb these droplets on your clothing 

        This can also be transferred by food and food coverings, Personally I am not eating anything I do not prepare myself 

       Speaking personally I will not use any public restrooms baring extreme emergency for at least 6 months and If I have to do so so will use a mask and disposable rubber gloves 

     I am also using a paper mask whenever I leave the house. I am well aware that the Powers that be say its useless, BUT sorry that's just wrong. 

https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus-fecal-transmission

https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/about/transmission.html

MusterMark  :Absolutely perfectly stated 

Fan Boy : The last 2 shows which took place  I believe were C2E2  Last week of February , And WW ohio that next week 

   All the Major shows since then which were to take Place have been Cancelled,  some have been rescheduled 

   Including WonderCon, Big Apple , South Carolina, And Kansas city 

   The problem is that the rescheduling causes conflicts , For example WonderCon rescheduled for the same week as WW Chicago .  There have been smaller shows but now the states are getting stricter, for example  NY went from from prohibiting gatherings  of 250 or more to 50 or more and the president suggests no more then 10 ! and many states and cities may even soon be ordering a full on shutdown, San Francisco HAS been the first to shut down a city with more to follow 

   Now that we have actually been testing, look for the numbers to explode and scare the &*@#^%$   out of the Public 

   As far as the future, Some promoters Have Been proactive and smart and rescheduled upcoming events . Some have been Holding a wait and see attitude even though the likelihood of any Major show  happening before June is Near Zero My advice to these promoters is RESCHEDULE NOW while you can still get later booking dates The thought that we can get from where we are now to holding events where tens of thousands people attend is not realistic 

My fear is what Robot Man posted earlier, That some promoter will attempt to hold the event and my showing up, setting up, only to have the show shut down, or to have one attendee get tested positive, only to have event closed down 

   I am HOPING that by mid June we will start to return to normalcy , However there will Be reduced attendance , Many of the Star guests  being  cautious and cancelling, and conflicts as rescheduled shows drop the same week as previous events. 

   Speaking personally I believe it will be late summer, early Fall before we see the Mass attendance shows resume Normalcy 

  On the plus side,  we are a remarkably resilient  nation , once the restrictions are lifted The comic people will come roaring back

with a vengeance I am hoping for the best and looking forward to a rip roaring, though delayed season 

 If you want to call me chicken  little for urging my friends and fellow collectors to exercise caution and be safe for a couple of months and promoters to be smart and reschedule spring shows, so we can all have a safe and profitable summer then so be it. people are making the mistake of assuming that because the death rate is low, that its no  big deal, People who get this report horrific symptoms which can leave lasting damage. 

     This affects more me  then most,  I make my living from these shows, and have already had more cancellations then I can handle. BUT  I understand, this will pass and I'd rather sit out the next 2 months then take a foolish gamble. 

 I mentioned before That I caught a wicked flu at c2e2 which I am still fighting, and covid spreads much more easily The Big shows with the recycled air and crowded conditions, are simply not viable right now.  So if you want to call me chicken little, then cluck you my friend 

     Fellow Chicken Littles:

        The CDC, Nba, professional Baseball, Professional Hockey, The States of NY, Ca, OHIO, and Washington , Most Colleges in the USA , The NYC school System , The Countries of Spain and Italy, EVERY SINGLE LARGE CONVENTION IN COUNTRY,  NASCAR, Every single St Patricks day celebration, Disneyland, Ncaa March Madness and hundreds more