I always like to envision Mike coming in like that guy in Robocop 2.  "Behave Yourselves!"

In 2021 and 2022 masks and vaccines were the law of the Gencon land.  Everyone knew this, exhibitors, attendees, and EOs alike, and proceeded accordingly.  Some chose to attend for this very reason and some did not attend for this reason.  In 2023 the law of the Gencon land is that masks and vaccines are not required and I don't see why we all shouldn't just do the same thing we did in previous years....make a decision based on our personal comfort levels and the rules that are in place.

Trying to backdoor rules and requirements seems a bit disingenuous.  I would encourage Gencon to stand by their policy statement and leave it at that.  If an EO does not feel comfortable with having unmasked, unvaccinated people play in their event, perhaps they should not run that event this year.

I’m not sure I understand how quoting Gen Con’s policy statement in an event description is in conflict with Gen Con standing by that policy statement. 

That is not what I said, at all. 

Given there are people that believe that anyone that doesn't wear a mask upon request as problematic when those people are following Gencon's policy is in itself, a problem.  

Gencon would not allow EO's to go against policy last year (If we all voted to not wear masks, can we not wear masks?  Was not allowed).   Barring a shift in their policy, I would not expect Gencon would allow EO's to subtly pressure people to wear a mask.

Happy about the current policies, and looking forward to attending this year with my group!!

2022 was both Mask and Vax.

Far as ".make a decision based on our personal comfort levels" And who's personal comfort level do we use. There are a lot who don't want the vax requirement any longer. To that, every other convention that has dropped their vax & mask requirements have seen attendance go back to 2019 levels and in some cases pass those numbers. With vax and Mask, ,GC is far from 70k people.

Like is "pushing people" away really the most likely scenario you can possibly think of for someone there to want people within 5 feet of them for hours to have a mask? No other reason someone who wants to attend GenCon could possibly prefer masks still?

It's sad how many people vehemently hate an idea that essentially falls under "will almost definitely not hurt anyone, as backed by a large sample poll already, and will make a lot of EOs and GMs, without which GenCon can't exist, happier and more comfortable." You can look at this thread and easily pick out the people who also griped about pronoun options for badges.

Someone made the comment 'As a pro mask person….it doesn’t seem fair to call the people who want to play but won’t mask “grumpy” in this context. They are following the show policies. '   and Mike agreed with that.

Someone that is following GC's policies shouldn't be bludgeoned over the head, they didn't set the policy.   As an EO this year, with current policies, you'll have to make the decision if you are willing to do events with potentially some people unmasked at the table because there is nothing on the books currently that will ensure that.

Correct and any pushing, snide, or passive aggressive remarks from the pro mask EO after a polite, "no thanks I will not be masking" needs to be covered by the anti-harassment policies. 

I think any GM should know if they are comfortable running a game without their players being masked. If they dont believe their own mask is sufficient then it would be best if they not volunteer this year. And again i say this as one both pro vax and masks.

To answer your question (and perhaps to clarify the point I was trying to make), my comment was not directed at how Gencon chooses to formulate their policy, only how we as attendees react to it.  The policy is what it is and is clearly stated.  If one disagrees with it I think their best choice is to stay home (which by the way is what I chose to do in 2021 and 2022).  If one agrees with it, then most likely their best choice is to attend.  I don't think it's fair to ask for carve out exceptions or ways to circumvent the stated policy in either direction.  The policy is what it is, love it or hate it, and we can all decide how to proceed for ourselves.

All that said, I am thrilled beyond belief that Gencon has updated their policy this year.  I will be attending, staying longer than usual, spending more money than usual, and likely inviting some friends to join me as well.

I find it interesting that even though Gen Con’s official health statement strongly encourages attendees to mask and be vaccinated (in boldface, no less) none of the posters here have stated that they’re afraid Gen Con personnel will treat them less than respectfully if they decide not to mask. That fear is reserved solely for GMs and EOs who might use identical language in event descriptions. 

But for me it's simply fairness and respect for the rules. Whatever those rules turn out to be. By getting the badge you agree to abide by them.

Think of it this way, the Code of Conduct says "Remember to eat, sleep and shower" but the staff at Gen Con don't go around making sniff tests of people.

Considering that the last two years has entailed the policy of, at minimal, mask wearing and that Gen Con has not made any allowances for that policy to be usurped by EO's or GM's, it feels more like a double-standard. 

The average GM doesn't possess that track record across all (or likely even most) attendees. 

I would say the average gamer has suffered from a vindictive GM at some point, so it isn't really unreasonable to be concerned about it.