[News] Upd: Canadian NHL Teams to require proof of vaccination to attend any arena events

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Flames probably aren't in a position to turn away season ticket holders. I know a lot of people that aren't renewing for various reasons.

They may lose more if they don't have this type of policy.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Yoho

What does proof of that look like?

Medical records of having tested positive and then recovered, maybe?

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Macindoc

"Natural immunity" is not very effective vs. the variant strains, and then you have to decid what to do with those who had a presumed COVID-19+ status due to symptoms and known exposure without a positive test result. Two doses of mRNA vaccine are easy to demonstrate and are the most protective state.

Opinions are all over the place as to just how effective the current vaccines are against the variant strains. There have been a significant number of variant-strain infections among vaccinated people – more than you would expect if vaccination were equally effective against the original strain and the variants. Since the currently approved vaccines were developed specifically for the original strain and not for the variants, this makes perfect sense.

This is the first time in my life that I have ever heard anyone argue that natural immunity from exposure to a virus is inferior to the immunity conferred by a vaccine.

As for ‘presumed COVID-19+ status’, see my post above. Don't ‘presume’ anything.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Medical records of having tested positive and then recovering, maybe?

I’m sure you could laminate that in the wallet.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Yoho

I’m sure you could laminate that in the wallet.

All it takes is for the authority issuing the documents to accept your medical records of positive test + treatment + recovery as a valid alternative to your medical record of vaccination.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

They may lose more if they don't have this type of policy.

Yup. 100%.

I am not going to a single game next season just to avoid getting delta or whatever other variant we will have in October.

If the Flames have a vaccine mandate I might change my mind.

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

They may lose more if they don't have this type of policy.

I don't disagree with the policy, but for those of us vaccinated, what difference should it make?

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

Yup. 100%.

I am not going to a single game next season just to avoid getting delta or whatever other variant we will have in October.

If the Flames have a vaccine mandate I might change my mind.

Then get used to never attending another Flames game. The virus is here to stay, and it mutates into new strains faster than new vaccines can be developed.

At some point, people are going to have to realize that infectious diseases are a hazard we all have to deal with, and living your entire life in a bubble because of one such disease is not an option.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

All it takes is for the authority issuing the documents to accept your medical records of positive test + treatment + recovery as a valid alternative to your medical record of vaccination.

It would be hard to imagine the Flames wanting door staff sifting thru multiple versions of proof or documentation to enter the building.

[Savvy27]

I'll be going to games either way, but I would definitely feel more comfortable with this kind of policy and I think there is some public good that might come from pushing a few more people towards vaccines that wouldn't get them otherwise.

I'm curious about how the possibility of a super-spreading event at the Saddledome is being discussed by them for this decision? Interesting stuff.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Yoho

It would be hard to imagine the Flames wanting door staff sifting thru multiple versions of proof or documentation to enter the building.

When the federal government is already talking about issuing its own vaccine passports, the Flames aren't going to be sifting through anything. Get the official document and you're done. The feds certainly have the resources to issue the passports based on more than one method of qualifying.

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Opinions are all over the place as to just how effective the current vaccines are against the variant strains. There have been a significant number of variant-strain infections among vaccinated people – more than you would expect if vaccination were equally effective against the original strain and the variants. Since the currently approved vaccines were developed specifically for the original strain and not for the variants, this makes perfect sense.

This is the first time in my life that I have ever heard anyone argue that natural immunity from exposure to a virus is inferior to the immunity conferred by a vaccine.

As for ‘presumed COVID-19+ status’, see my post above. Don't ‘presume’ anything.

Here's a recently published paper that compares the odds ratios.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/...M63289#T1_down

[Yoho]

The Jets made it pretty clear in their press release. “Proof of vaccination”

[AustinL_NHL]

Originally Posted by Skyceman

Not sure I agree that those who already contracted COVID and now have natural immunity do not qualify.

My 15 year old non-vaccinated cousin just contracted Covid for the second time in 5 months

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Flames probably aren't in a position to turn away season ticket holders. I know a lot of people that aren't renewing for various reasons.

Well, that's the big question. Which policy is likely to keep more people away?


I suspect it would be something similar to what we saw when smoking bans were introduced. Restaurant and bar owners were predicting total destruction of their businesses if smoking was banned. Then, the ban came into effect, and if anything, business went up at most restaurants and bars because it turned out that some people had been avoiding going out (or staying out for a shorter period of time) because they didn't like choking down the smoke just to have a couple of drinks with friends. They just weren't as loud about it as the smokers were.



If you look at the current vaccination rates, Calgary overall has very high rates. That's especially true in the more-affluent areas of the city and among older age groups. Older, affluent Calgarians tend to be the ones who buy Flames season tickets. Because of that, I would suspect that Flames STHs are likely vaccinated at a rate higher than the general population.


The other thing they need to factor in is the potential negative impact of an outbreak tied back to an event in the Saddledome. That could lead to further cancellations or reduced attendance at future events. That's a big risk to take just to appease a small but loud minority of potential ticket buyers.



Another interesting thing that came out today is the Calgary Chamber of Commerce has asked the province to implement a vaccine passport: https://calgaryherald.com/news/local...ccine-passport I think that's a sign that the tide is turning in public opinion around vaccine passports, so it's likely just a matter of time before they start to become common, especially for large events.

[Kipper_3434]

Wow it sounds like boomer town in here. I guess your vaccinations don't work if the person next to you doesn't have theirs? This has all gotten so blown out of proportion with all these PR platitudes.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Macindoc

Here's a recently published paper that compares the odds ratios.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/...M63289#T1_down

It's a recently ‘early-released’ paper which has evidently not been subjected to full peer review. Moreover, in the body of the paper itself there is a list of five limitations that affect the value of the study. The biggie is #5:

This is a retrospective study design using data from a single state during a 2-month period; therefore, these findings cannot be used to infer causation Additional prospective studies with larger populations are warranted to support these findings.

In other words, there appears to be something here, but the study was too limited and had too many potential flaws to say anything definitive. Further research is absolutely required.

Of course, the need for further research has never stopped people who want to spread panic.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

Wow it sounds like boomer town in here. I guess your vaccinations don't work if the person next to you doesn't have theirs? This has all gotten so blown out of proportion with all these PR platitudes.

I’m just guessing you weren’t planning on going to many games in your skinny jeans and long board?

[Burning Beard]

My wife and I are vaccinated so we will be there.

[Kipper_3434]

Originally Posted by Yoho

I’m just guessing you weren’t planning on going to many games in your skinny jeans and long board?

Wow profiling me now? I don't wear skinny jeans or longboard. Im a 32 year old tradesman who looks like a viking, hope that helps you accurately judge me.