COVID-19 Statement

Mental Health and Wellness Fall Festival COVID-19 Statement:

As a local grassroots committee, we recognize the significant toll that COVID-19 has had on our communities. Since 2019, COVID-19 has had a significant negative impact on mental health. Even for people who do not fear COVID-19 anymore, the impacts are ongoing due to deaths, hospitalizations, long-COVID, social distancing, virtual relationships, and the recent increase in cases. We also recognize that there is a disproportionate effect on historically marginalized communities, especially disabled, chronically ill, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. 

We encourage participants of this event to use masks, especially in the indoor spaces. COVID-19 and other communicable diseases are intertwined with mental health and well-being, including the perceived safety of going to public events. While much of the Festival will take place outdoors, some programming and activities, including the silent auction (which has an online option), will take place inside. We will not require masks at this time. However, free masks will be available at the welcome tables and at the entrances to indoor spaces. In the case that circumstances change, it is possible that masks could be required in indoor spaces for the safety and health of the community.

We recognize that masking is a complex issue for many. As a community event, part of uplifting mental health and well-being includes honoring the fact that multiple needs and experiences exist simultaneously. We know it is impossible to meet everyone's needs in this regard but hope to make the event as supportive as possible. For example, we acknowledge that masks negatively impact our friends in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. Masks eliminate lip-reading and muffle sound, which reduces access to communication. This experience can be anxiety-inducing and stressful. Masks block a significant portion of facial expressions, which can impact non-verbal communication and in-the-moment experiences of connection for everyone.

It is understandable that immune-compromised community members may not feel safe enough to attend an event where masks are not required. We have proactively created an online list of exhibitors and activity providers to offer opportunities to learn about and connect with these resources in the community.  We encourage participants to be conscientious of their impact on other participants. Please be mindful of the right (and need) of our impacted community members to use masks and social distancing practices.