Whenever I speak with convention organizers about their risk and liability positions, frequently the issue of hiring UsagiMed for the comfort of their attendees leads to discussions of medical liability, and it seems there is a gross misconception that hiring UsagiMed increases a con’s responsibility. In fact, the opposite is true.
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Service dogs are common visitors during conventions. Service dogs are cute, but let’s not forget: they are working dogs who provide support so their human can safely and happily attend a convention when they might not be able to without such assistance. Some folks need support for social anxiety or PTSD; others for medical conditions like seizure disorders or diabetes, and for autistic, deaf, and blind populations.
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It is official: We’ll see you at Anime Weekend Atlanta 2022! AWA is where UsagiMed was born. Dr. Laura Block was THE first aid department back then–serving a very small convention with one first-aid kit. Dr. Laura says: “Working Anime Weekend Atlanta every year is just like coming home. It’s where we got our start 26 years ago. It’s been so incredible to see the growth and change over decades.”
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It’s official. Usagi Medical Group will be with you at MTAC Score. We’re looking forward to joining their crew for an excellent show coming up April 15-17, and celebrating their new digs at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville!
We feel compelled to remind folks that things regarding COVID are still kinda weird, and that UsagiMed has a cool COVID Survival Guide for you. (Including a slick, downloadable PDF.)
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Cons are cautiously coming back, and we are all looking forward to the return of all things fun. But where COVID-19 is concerned, we may not be out of the woods, yet. Many cons (we’ll use AWA as an example) are wisely establishing Mask Policies and Safety Requirements for their guests and attendees. Please adhere to these guidelines.
(more…)This Editorial Is Authored By UsagiMed Intern and Writer Allison Marrero
Con season is back! Anime, comic, and gaming conventions across the U.S. have been returning, with events like Katsucon, Holiday Matsuri, and Anime Weekend Atlanta scheduled to take place in the upcoming six months. Some events have already occurred though, with one of the biggest conventions in the east, MegaCon, having taken place in Orlando this August, boasting over 100,000 attendees over four days.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of last year, I, along with most con-goers, have been steering clear from the convention scene due to health and safety concerns. However, MegaCon stated online that they would be heavily enforcing attendees to keep their masks on at all times except during stationary eating. I decided to attend for the full weekend and see how the mask and distancing guidelines carried out.
(more…)Carolina Fear Festival has nothing to be afraid of. Usagi Medical Group was happy to provide advisory services to Carolina Fear Festival (CFF) as they plan their reopening this year. With one phone call that took less than an hour, we quickly discussed their concerns and current public health strategy, and some additional considerations for them to make as they plan their upcoming event, scheduled for May 29 and 30 in Raleigh, NC.
(more…)On December 14th, the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered in the U.S. Three months later, over 100 million doses have been given, and over 35 million Americans have been fully vaccinated.
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All of us are looking at the convention-planning horizon with undisguised optimism. We are all champing at the bit to throw a big party and get back to our cons. But we must continue to exercise caution. None of us want the public humiliation of fostering another outbreak that puts our friends and fans at risk.
The recommendations and mandates that have been in place for the last twelve months are slowly changing as we get more and more data about rates of infection, hospitalization, and the availability of a vaccine. As the data continues to get updated, Usagi Medical will help your con AT NO COST on an advisory basis. We’ll help you answer some critical questions:
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We’re all concerned about COVID-19. Whether or not you’re one of the people who are buying out all the toilet paper on the eastern seaboard, we here at Usagi Medical Group would urge everyone to try to put their anxieties in check when it comes to COVID-19 and what it might do to the local convention scene. Panic seems almost reasonable these days, but panic creates more trouble than it solves.
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