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John,
For more than 16 years, we’ve had the privilege of hosting the largest progressive gathering in the United States. While the last two years necessitated our event being virtual, we are looking forward to seeing many of you in person this summer.
This pandemic is not over, and any public activity carries inherent risk. But thanks to vaccinations and treatments, even though cases continue to rise in many communities, many are willing and able to accept the risk and attend events like Netroots Nation.
As we navigate this phase of the pandemic, we must work together to create a culture of care. That means that each attendee does their part to keep our community and the spaces where we convene safe and healthy. Here’s what we are doing to help mitigate risk for those who join us in person:
The best way to protect yourself and your neighbor is to be vaccinated. All Netroots Nation attendees must provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As defined by the CDC, fully vaccinated means that all vaccines—and boosters, for those who are eligible—are completed at least 14 days prior to the first day of Netroots Nation. For those who have already registered, look for an email on vaccination verification before the event. Participants who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical exemption should contact the staff at [email protected].
Wearing a well-fitted mask helps reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19 to fellow attendees and to those who work in the spaces where we convene. Masks will be required at all indoor Netroots Nation programming and event spaces for all participants, except while actively eating, drinking, or speaking on a panel. Please make sure your mask fits securely and covers your nose and mouth completely. We highly recommend N95 or KN95 masks and will have a limited supply for those who need them.
To provide another layer of protection, we strongly recommend that you wear a mask during your travels to and around Pittsburgh and in public hotel spaces when programming isn’t taking place.
The David L. Lawrence Convention Center is a great space to hold an indoor event of our size. The building is the first fully sustainable Convention Center in the country, partly due to its efficient use of outside air, and indoor air quality that is constantly monitored.
While many of us are looking forward to seeing and even hugging friends, remember that others may not be comfortable with close proximity. So before you hug, look for the red or green sticker on the other person's badge as an indicator of their comfort level and be respectful of their boundaries.
Hand sanitizer will be available throughout our venue for your convenience.
If you are feeling sick, please stay home, even if your COVID test isn’t positive.
While we will do our best to limit exposure and keep one another safe, chances are someone will test positive during Netroots Nation. If you experience symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, sore throat), please stay home or in your hotel room and take a test (antigen or PCR) as soon as possible to help minimize the risk of an outbreak. A few helpful tips:
A limited number of testing kits will be available on-site. There are several testing centers nearby; check this map to find a location convenient for you.
If you do get sick while at Netroots Nation, please isolate yourself in your hotel room or at home so you don’t spread the virus.
Being sick on the road is never fun, especially if you are on your own. Netroots Nation will have some care kits including pulse oximeters, thermometers, fluids and more. We’ll have a hotline available if you need to request that a volunteer drop off a care kit and check on you. (And if you would like to join our volunteer Care Team, please fill out this form.)
Remember to keep your loved ones back home safe upon your return home. Mask at all times indoors, especially in rideshares and mass transit. Assume that if you are traveling, you have come in contact with someone who is sick and may be infected, even if you don’t have symptoms. If you are able, mask up and quarantine when you get home until you can test.
If you would like to join us and haven't registered yet, you can do so now before the price of registration goes up at the end of this month. Note that if your plans change and you’re unable to attend, you can get a refund through August 4.
And for those who are unable to join us in person this year, keep your eyes open for information about how you can participate virtually via our event app.
The above recommendations were developed based on current CDC guidance, guidelines currently in place at our conference venue and hotels, and with input from our community. Safety protocols are subject to change.
We hope to see you in August!
Eric Thut, Executive Director
Netroots Nation
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