chaos communication congress, covid, ableism
From what I'm hearing, the plan is to organize this year's Chaos Communication Congress in an absolutely packed venue with *zero* COVID measures because the orga doesn't care about even *trying* to find workable solutions.
This would be grossly irresponsible and unacceptable. And as usual, vulnerable people are being thrown under the bus.
"Being inclusive is good, sure, buuuut maybe vulnerable people just shouldn't come for a few years."
This is not good enough. Fix this. There are *so many* possible solutions, see eg. the MCH2022 measures.
Encourage people to self-test, and provide free self-tests for those who cannot afford it. They're cheap in bulk now.
Tell people to wear a mask, even if you can't 100% rigidly enforce it. Public health measures are not all-or-nothing, it doesn't *have* to be perfect.
CCC folks speak loudly about inclusivity, but that requires actions, not just words. Pretending that COVID doesn't exist is ableist and needlessly harmful.
If the Congress orga go through with this, I will not go to #37c3, and neither should you.
I think we all know how widespread hacker pest is every Congress, so you're almost *guaranteed* to be exposed to COVID at #37c3, with all the consequences that that entails - including serious risk of chronic disability and, y'know, *your brain* not working right anymore.
And yes, this is information from the grapevine, but this needs to be talked about *now*, before things are set in stone and the only response we'll get is "sorry, it's already decided". I'm sure that the orga will be able to issue a clarification if the policy changes.
chaos communication congress, covid, ableism
Also, something I want to clarify: my criticism isn't and never was towards those in orga who were trying to keep the event safe for everybody. I recognize that some of those involved in the orga will have tried their best. My criticisms were specifically about those who didn't.
chaos communication congress, covid, ableism
It's also extremely telling how many people seem to be much angrier about me causing a stink, than about the prospect of vulnerable/disabled folks being excluded.
chaos communication congress, covid, ableism
@joepie91 ever thought about that this is due to the fact, that no one likes stinks based on rumors? everyone in "the orga" is a volunteer, they all do that in their spare time. having to argue against people who take their information from rumors and spread dystopys is no fun.
chaos communication congress, covid, ableism
@psy Yeah, you're pretty much proving my point here. And as I've already told you, I'm done with this topic. I've exhaustively explained my reasons and given concrete criticisms. If you keep going, then the next step is a block.
chaos communication congress, covid, ableism
@joepie91 well, if this is what you think an argument should be like .. go and block me.
chaos communication congress, covid, ableism
@joepie91 Even before COVID, the congress was held in a way where not everyone who would have wanted to go could do so. This holds even more for the #37c3 where it was deliberately decided to move to a smaller location. Therefore, I disagree with the strategy of fueling a guilty conscience among those who were happy that a physical congress would have been possible this year. Nonetheless, I congratulate since you won.
chaos communication congress, covid, ableism
@dreiwert I have repeatedly complained over the years about the exclusionary characteristics of the ticketing process (not just in terms of scarcity), but at least an attempt was made there to find a workable solution, in the form of a replicating-voucher system.
That is not remotely comparable to "Congress without any attempt at safety precautions whatsoever". And this was never meant to guilt-trip attendees to begin with; it was meant to warn them about the very real dangers, and pressure the orga.
And no, I didn't "win". As I've stated further down the thread, I would have much rather seen an attempt to make it continue with the appropriate safety measures. This is barely a "win" in the sense that at least it's not going to be a superspreader event.
chaos communication congress, covid, ableism
@joepie91 No doubt at all that you make a valid point. I'm just saying I disagree with the way you do it (playing the *ism card, encouraging boycott by playing the guilt card...).
From what could be read about the organizers' stance, changing how an in-person congress would feel was never considered, so the only possible outcomes of your effort were (a) not having an effect, or (b) having the effect of the #37c3 being cancelled. (1/2)
chaos communication congress, covid, ableism
@joepie91 So yes, it's supposed to be "victory"...
By the way, the level of inclusivity towards people who cannot make it in-person as it was already there on pre-COVID congresses already exceeded what some universities provided throughout the pandemic: You could always follow talks remotely, ask questions etc.
In my opinion, everyone, including risk groups who might have decided to stay at home, would have benefited from the #37c3 being held. (2/2)
re: chaos communication congress, covid, ableism
chaos communication congress, covid, ableism
Update: it's just been announced that (centralized) Congress will be cancelled this year: https://ccc.de/en/updates/2022/no-congress-2022
Mixed feelings; I would have liked to see it continue with safety measures, but this is certainly better than continuing it with *no* measures.
The alternative suggested in the post (smaller local events) is probably a good one; the overall risk should be much lower there. I'm also more optimistic about Camp; with it being outdoors (= lots of natural ventilation), it would be much easier to limit the spread.