What is Art With Me Festival?How the Tulum event turned into a Covid-19 Superspreader in New York

The Art With Me Festival in Tulum, Mexico, which took place from November 11th to 15th, is described as a superspreading event after many positive coronavirus tests have been tied to the event. Some of the participants in the Burning Man-style festival, which reportedly hosts art installations, musical activities, and parties, brought Covid-19 back to New York City. Checkmate Health Strategies, a private Covid-19 testing company, attributed some of its recent positive cases to Tulum events.

“In my little cohort I saw people who were positive after returning from Mexico, especially Art With Me in Tulum. I have 60-70% of my positives in the last few weeks in New York City. Direct result Either those who have returned from Art With Me or those who have come into direct contact with those who participated in Art With Me. And I’m also testing in Miami. Testers there say that many of their positives are those who have returned from Art With Me, “Eleonora Walczak, founder of Checkmate Health Strategies, told The Daily Beast.

On the Art With Me website, experience Across multiple platforms to immerse, inspire and rejuvenate participants and followers. “Our mission is to protect the natural environment and promote artistic development through conscious and sustainable practices. We have 5 days of arts, music, workshops, wellness and cultural experiences. It’s a community-led festival that fosters personal growth by combining it with a four-night trip to encourage change. “

This website contains recommendations aimed at preventing coronavirus infections, such as essential face masks. “Everyone in the event is obliged to wear a mask except when eating. Security Enforcement Although these guidelines are in place throughout the event, we require everyone to be responsible for the health and safety of our population. All guests and staff follow the guidelines for social distance regulated by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). ”

In the policy stated for guests, the website provides personal protective equipment for event staff and requires a face mask and shield to be worn when interacting with other staff and guests. It is stated that there is. Toilets are provided and disinfected after each use. There is a special quarantine facility (ambulance) in case someone shows symptoms of the virus. The heat temperature will be checked upon entry and hand sanitizers will be available on site.

For staff, all staff should disinfect and wash their hands every 15 minutes, wear face masks, all equipment is cleaned every 15 minutes, staff are tested daily before returning to work It states.

Regarding the safety of the venue, it is stated that all contact surfaces will be disinfected every hour. Trained and licensed guards will be on the scene to prevent all kinds of intrusions and keep people safe from others and themselves. We also provide guidelines in the area of ​​activity to help guests maintain a safe social distance.

As far as food and drink are concerned, Fest will note that all equipment, food and drink will be properly disinfected before entering the event venue. All meals are plated and packaged according to current health and safety guidelines, and disposable biodegradable containers and utensils must be used to serve all food products.

However, despite the suggestions, many guests and performers emphasized that wearing masks and keeping social distances is virtually non-existent. “I have nothing to say about this event. They also served food — all open barbecue finger food. Everyone grabbed it with their own hands. I say no mask It’s just that I got sick more than ever in my life after the party, “a woman who got Covid-19 after attending the fest told The Daily Beast.

The video captured by the outlet shows hundreds of maskless people moving around in music. “ArtWithMe provided a lot of wellness and artistic activities during the day, but at night it turned into an electronic music festival, with hordes of maskless people cramming into hotels, restaurants and cenotes (underground caves). Dancing to the DJ set. Daily Beast watched many videos from the Art With Me event showing hundreds of people writhing and writhing to the music. ” I am.

When Hong Kong microbiologist Anna Yeung-Cheung, who works at Manhattanville College, watched the video, she emphasized that “they are crammed on the dance floor-this time of year is very dangerous.”

Danish DJ Be Svendsen, who played at Art With Me, claims that he was infected with the coronavirus after the fest and “heard at least 17 people” who were also infected with the virus.

Rodrigo Palencia, whose event production company Petit Gatherings held a cenote dance party on November 16th, the day after the fest, also said, “One of my partners went to the Art With Me party and he tested positive. It was. ” According to Palencia, responsibility should rest with participants who refuse to follow public health advice.

“After all, it’s about people, not about Tulum. We’re having a party with you and trying to do something to kill the stress we all have, but just wear a mask And people just don’t understand, and you can’t get rid of someone without a mask. It’s complicated, “Palencia argues.

The administrator of Hospital de Tulum said that “multiple people” who participated in Bash were hospitalized in Covid-19. This is almost all tourists from North and South American countries, including Chile and Argentina.

Walczak argues that such an event should at least implement a testing strategy. “I understand the psychological element of wanting to socialize, but what I find terribly lazy and very irresponsible is that individuals who have enough money to attend these events are properly Having the right tools for screening. What’s the hassle? ”Walczak explains.

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