How to Safely Return to Live Concerts and Sporting Events, According to Experts

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• Vaccinated individuals face low COVID-19 risk at crowded outdoor or indoor concerts, including at maskless venues. Unvaccinated individuals are at high risk for transmission, however.

• Wearing masks (even if you are vaccinated) can prevent you from spreading COVID-19 to other unvaccinated or at-risk individuals around you in shared living spaces, however.

• You should ask about three different kinds of guidelines or safety preparations before your concert or event to determine how safe it will be, experts say.

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Now that summer's officially underway, music fans are gearing up to return to festivals and concerts once more — even if they look very different after COVID-19 lockdowns. Because SARS-CoV-2 (the virus behind COVID-19) can spread when an infected person coughs or spews infectious droplets or aerosols into the air around them, officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had previously labeled concerts and other crowded events as high risk for your health. Their stance has changed a bit since COVID-19 vaccines have rolled out to nearly all Americans over the age of 12 currently, as data collected in trials over the last year have demonstrated that vaccines can keep individuals safe in these kinds of situations. The caveat? Unvaccinated individuals are likely more at risk now than they were in 2020.

That's mostly because new variants of SARS-CoV-2 have developed since then, and they're highly contagious, including the Delta variant that experts project will be the most dominant strain of SARS by August (The New York Times reports that this variant could be responsible for as much as 10% of U.S. cases currently). Those who are not vaccinated, or those who cannot be vaccinated due to a complex medical history or age restrictions, should continue to skip concerts and live events as they've done since last year, explains Eudene Harry, M.D., an author and medical director of Orlando-based Oasis Wellness Center.

But you can do more than just receive a vaccination to eliminate risk and keep safe at concerts and other events — after all, even vaccinated individuals face a small risk of contracting COVID-19 and bringing it home (usually unknowingly!) to those around them, especially those at high risk for complications or those with weakened immune systems. With the help of Dr. Harry, we're recapping the safest ways to attend concerts and other live events this summer and beyond.

Do I have to wear a mask at concerts?

Each state and each venue may have its own set of COVID-19 guidelines in place, and seating may be limited to outdoor areas, socially distanced in layout, and of course, may require you to wear masks. Currently, officials at the CDC have loosened restrictions on wearing masks in outdoor settings in spots where crowds are thin — at live venues, however, it's expected that unvaccinated individuals continue to wear face coverings. And CDC officials have made it clear that unvaccinated individuals face a high risk of COVID-19 transmission when attending these events, especially if it is inside where ventilation is sparse.

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The better question may be: Should I wear a mask, regardless of local rules or guidelines? You should if you are living in a family home with people who are unvaccinated, or if you spend lots of time around others who may not be vaccinated. Dr. Harry explains that current vaccination rates greatly vary in different regions; and since many people are known to travel from nearby states or cities to other arenas for live events, it's not easy to know how many people in the crowd around you are actually vaccinated. "Ask yourself: Who am I going home to? Am I going to be spending time visiting loved ones in an assisted living facility? Do I work inside with others every single day? Your situation may push you to be more cautious than is required," she adds.

Masks are an added protection against COVID-19 variants for those who have already received their shots. Earned immunity through vaccination will likely keep you safe in this situation, but those who have COVID-19 before can certainly get it again — and Americans are far, far away from herd immunity. Wearing a mask in these situations is best:

• If you'll be standing in a general admission area where screaming and singing in close proximity is likely

• If social distancing in an arena is impossible, or if your section is crowded

• If you'll be attending an event or performance inside in close quarters

• If you need to use restrooms or visit a concession stand and the box office

What to do before the concert or live event:

If you're planning on attending, there are a few things you can do to see how safety will be handled prior to the event. This is an important step if you're considering bringing your whole family out for a night on the town; especially any younger children who are ineligible to receive vaccinations at this time. Check these steps off your list before the show:

1. Check local guidelines, and look into the venue's rules. Are they requiring proof of vaccination for your event? Will masks be required?

2. Ask about sanitation on site. Will you be allowed to bring in hand sanitizer or wipes if you'd like to? Are there more sinks and soap available than before? Learning more about how guests can practice easily accessible hand hygiene is important.

3. Inquire about indoor ventilation. Large stadiums and concert venues should have upgraded filtration systems to ensure proper ventilation; has your chosen venue done so?

Many venues may not be able to execute changes in all of these categories. But Dr. Harry adds that the ability to answer or speak to one or more of these questions indicates that event planners have actually consulted current CDC guidelines on hosting concerts and other large gatherings during the pandemic.

The bottom line:

Vaccinated individuals face low risk in attending concerts and live sporting events inside or outside. Unvaccinated individuals may face critical risk of becoming sick due to highly contagious COVID-19 variants and the fact that singing, shouting, or dancing in a crowd, especially inside, often leads to a "superspreader" event. Experts like Dr. Harry stress that planning your next concert experience may lower risks further: Continue to keep hand hygiene top of mind and wear masks if at all possible, even if you are vaccinated, as this can stop COVID-19 from spreading to others around you.

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