SPAH 2023

[Danny G]

We didn't go last year because I refused to take the jab. Just got a note letting me know that vax will not be required at this years convention so we will be vending at Spah in St Louis. Hope to see as many of you that can make it this year.

[beads]

I'm planning on being there.

[Gary Richardson]

I look forward to seeing you Danny. 
FYI no verification of vaccination was performed at last years SPAH.  I had understood that  you would have to show your vaccination card at registration as proof.  But no.  Left SPAH on Sunday and then Friday back home I had COVID.  A minor bout for three days.  Day 1 sore throat, day 2 fever and day three just felt a little puny.  Fourth day good to go.

[Scotty]

I look forward to seeing you Danny. 
FYI no verification of vaccination was performed at last years SPAH.  I had understood that  you would have to show your vaccination card at registration as proof.  But no.  Left SPAH on Sunday and then Friday back home I had COVID.  A minor bout for three days.  Day 1 sore throat, day 2 fever and day three just felt a little puny.  Fourth day good to go.

I'm glad you have a strong constitution and it was only a mild case. You were very lucky. I'm wondering how many others there might have been, though? When my husband's post-surgery rehab facility released him to go home WITH Covid (unknowingly), they exposed me, the friend who picked him up and a neighbour who'd stopped by, as well as the ambulance guys who had to rush him to the ER the following morning. I was in lockdown quarantine for two full weeks (by order of NYState) while he struggled to survive back in the hospital. He had Covid pneumonia in one lung, luckily - BUT it took another interminable amount of time for them to save his life (he coded during that time) since his condition was frail after 5 months of hospitalization and several surgeries. We've both since had all of our vaccinations and boosters BUT if SPAH is not requiring others coming from all over to be vaccinated I'm afraid I'll have to sit this one out as well since there are new variants ramping up and there's no way I'd risk his or my own life again since we both have underlying immune issues.

Not worth it for a week of admittedly great fun - I've always loved going to SPAH, but I've seen the physical cost first hand and lost both family members and friends to this. 500 people interacting and playing mouth instruments in one place is far too risky - for me anyway, and yes - people get sick and die from all kinds of things, but Covid is especially horrible as those who've actually witnessed it can attest. Proof of vaccination/boosters or I'm (for one) out.

scotty