Covid Policy

Covid Safety Policy

Covid-19 has impacted all of us. It shut down almost ALL of my events for nearly 2 years. Like all event promoters, I have struggled with policies to move forward since the state mandates lifted, and I feel a responsibility to my attendees, vendors and staff members – to put safety before all else.

I have steadfastly studied and kept up-to-date on all Covid-related news for over a year and a half now. I explore charts, graphs, lists, news stories and interviews from a variety of reliable news sources - print and broadcast; local, state, national and global.
Until we defeat the virus (or at least beat it down below Pandemic levels), I can’t do what I love to do – bring together large groups of like-minded people to celebrate the things we love.

To that end, here are some notes regarding our decision to require vaccinations this year, based on conversations and questions I've gotten from our community. I’m very grateful that, on this issue, the divide in our community is not political, but rather spirit-based. I fully understand that some are dedicated to holistic healing, and some have spiritual beliefs that make them vaccine-hesitant.

-Dana Cain, owner, Dana Cain Events 0ctober 23, 2021

Why are vaccinations required at the Athena Festival this year?

By a margin of more than 2-to-1, our participating vendors voted to have the vaccine requirement. All participating vendors, readers, staff and attendees must be vaccinated, for the safety and comfort of all.
“Optional masking” is much more comfortable than “required masking” for people engaged in spiritual/healing work, who are trying to make deep connections with clients at the show. Not having to stay masked 24/7 makes the process much more comfortable and pleasant.
The Covid Delta variant has caused an alarming increase in Colorado cases and hospitalizations this fall, propelling the state back up to numbers not seen since January, with ICU bed usage in the state at 92% this week (Oct. 14). Nearby Larimer County reports ICU beds have topped 100% capacity (source: Colorado Dept. of Public Health; Larimer County Public Health)

Are vaccines safe? I prefer holistic healing.

The US vaccines have all been fully approved by the FDA, and more than 407 Million doses have been administered. At this point, nearly 190 Million Americans are fully vaccinated. Most reported no serious side effects. Some did report side effects, but most of those lasted only a day or so.
I, personally, had zero side effects from my two Moderna shots. My mother, daughter, granddaughters, best friend, roommate, etc … no side effects, other than two had a sore arm at the shot site. Yes, some of my Facebook friends reported symptoms like fatigue, headaches, etc – but those were nothing compared to my Facebook friends who described their Covid symptoms.
Reports of death associated with the vaccine are extremely rare. With more than 403 million doses administered, a total of 8,638 deaths following vaccination have been reported (required by all hospitals) to the CDC through October 6, 2021. That’s 0.0021%. Hospitals are required to report this – even if it is unclear whether or not the vaccine was a cause. Compare this to the 724,000 deaths from the Covid virus. Getting the shot is MUCH safer than getting the virus.
These vaccines do not inject any live or weakened virus into your system (like other vaccines). It is not possible to “catch the virus” from the vaccine, nor can you transmit the virus from the vaccine. These new mRNA vaccines have been studied and developed over many decades. (CDC)
The vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA. They never enter the nucleus of the cell, where DNA is stored. (CDC)

Isn’t is just like a cold or flu?

Covid has killed more than 724,000 people in the US, and more than 4,550,000 globally in under 2 years. In the US, more people have died from Covid THIS year than in 2020. The Delta variant (now the norm) is far deadlier than a cold or flu. CDC estimates the flu causes 12,000 – 52,000 deaths annually in the US.
The scariest thing to me, personally, is that many people continue to feel symptoms of Covid for MONTHS after being infected. Even mild cases that don’t put folks into the hospital, can become ongoing “Long Covid” cases, where symptoms linger and prevent folks from living their lives. Fatigue, headaches, stomach issues, brain fog … this virus can hit many different systems. I have a friend with severe Long Covid symptoms who was accepted into a program at the Mayo Clinic, where it is being studied.

Do the vaccines really work, though?

Unvaccinated people are 11 times more likely to die from Covid than vaccinated people (CDC/NPR Sept. 2021).
Colorado hospitals report that more than 77% of all hospitalized Covid patients are unvaccinated (Denver Post, Oct 2021), despite the fact that they make up just about 25% of the state population.

I’ve had Covid-19, so I have Natural Immunity. Why would I get vaccinated?

First, I’m so sorry you got the virus! I hope your symptoms were mild, and are no longer bothering you.
About 1/3 of people who are infected with Covid do NOT produce enough antibodies for protection. (Nebraska Medicine Oct. 2021)
Natural Immunity fades faster than vaccine immunity (CDC and others). And it doesn’t account for needed booster shots. The only option to retain immunity at adequate levels is to get the shot, or get sick again.
Natural Immunity alone is less than half as effective as natural immunity plus vaccination. (CDC, Aug. 2021; Nebraska Medicine Oct. 2021)

I’m not afraid of the virus. Why should I get the vaccine?

You don’t live in a vacuum. Help protect the people close to you – family, friends, elders, and children who can’t get the vaccine yet. The number of Covid cases in kids has gone WAY up with the Delta variant spreading through schools. Get the shot for them, and for your community.
The Holidays are coming! Get the vaccine to interact confidently with your families and loved ones – and the folks in the shopping malls! Be sure that you are not helping to spread the virus and ruin someone’s Holidays or New Year.
Large, indoor events like the Athena Festival can’t take place during a pandemic. We were shut down by government mandate last year, and it could happen again with the next wave. The only hope for events like ours to operate openly and freely, without restrictions, is for enough folks to get vaccinated (or get their antibodies “the hard way” by getting infected) so we can beat the virus back to the point where it’s not spreading like mad. Get the shot so that we may continue to gather freely.
My aunt nearly died recently, after waiting for hours while the ER staff in Taos tried to find her an available bed to treat a life-threatening blockage. They called hospitals in 3 states before finally air-lifting her to one of them. All the hospital ICU’s were full – of Covid patients, and had no more beds. This story is becoming too common. No one thinks they’ll be hospitalized with Covid, but it’s the unvaccinated who are filling the beds. Many people with life-threatening, non-Covid emergencies cannot get the help they need. Get the shot to help the health care system.
More events, concerts, restaurants, workplaces, etc are requiring vaccination proof. It’s a growing trend. Get the shot to live and move about freely, and do the things you want to do.
Vaccinations are free and available at Walgreens, Safeway, King Soopers and Walmart pharmacies (and other places), often as “walk-ups” with no appointment needed. Get the shot because it’s the smart, responsible thing to do, and it’s free.

SOURCES: You can get good, reliable, current info at:

www.cdc.gov
https://covid19.colorado.gov/data
Google: "Colorado Covid Chart"
Google: "your county" Covid

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Covid Safety Policy