Photo by Dayo Adepoju on Unsplash
The Ringwald is delighted to be returning to in-person performances and thrilled to have you visit us at our new home inside of Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center!
For the health, safety and well-being of our patrons, staff and artists, The Ringwald Theatre’s current COVID-19 policy requires the following:
Q. I am not vaccinated. Why can’t I wear a mask and attend a performance at the Ringwald?
A. After much thought, research and reflection, the Ringwald Theatre has taken the stance that it is our duty to take aggressive and comprehensive steps to protect our cast, crew and patrons from contracting COVID-19 while in our theatre space. Therefore, our requirement is that all cast, crew and patrons (age 5 and older) be fully vaccinated.
Research has proven that unvaccinated people are much more likely to spread COVID than those who are vaccinated – whether they wear masks or not.
Q. But vaccinated people can still get COVID and spread it.
A. According to the CDC, while vaccinated people can indeed still carry the virus, it is the unvaccinated who are much more likely to spread the virus to those around them.
Q. I cannot receive the vaccine due to medical issues. Can I attend if I wear a mask?
A. We are very sorry that you have a condition that prevents you from receiving a COVID vaccine, but unfortunately, we must adhere to our requirement that protects everyone in our theatre.
Q. Why can’t I attend if I show a negative COVID test?
A. As is common knowledge now, the rapid COVID test has a high rate of false negatives (30-40%); it is usually only used by clinicians to confirm a positive case. The gold standard of COVID tests is the PCR test, which usually takes 2-3 days to process. Therefore, a negative PRC test only reflects that you did not have COVID at the time of the test. It does not reflect any potential infection from the moment after the test was taken until the time of attending a performance. Therefore, we must adhere to our vaccination requirement of proof of vaccination, as those who are vaccinated are much less likely to contract and, therefore, spread COVID.
Q. I have a religious objection to the vaccine. Why can’t I wear a mask and see a performance?
A. As with those with medical conditions that prevent them from being vaccinated, we must adhere to our vaccine requirement intended to protect everyone in our theatre space.
Q. I feel that this is discriminatory against those of us who don’t believe in the vaccine.
A. We are not trying to change your mind. But our Theatre is deferring to volumes of research that shows all three COVID vaccines available in the U.S. reduce the spread of COVID – protecting individuals and those around them. We are relying on the information provided by the CDC and every single health system in Southeast Michigan and beyond to guide us in our decisions. This is not a personal statement against your beliefs, but a statement of support for our belief in objective science and our unwavering intention of protecting everyone in our Theatre space.
Here are some websites that can help you better understand our COVID vaccine requirement:
COVID Vaccination Information by Region | Ascension
COVID-19 Vaccine Updates | Coronavirus | Beaumont Health
Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 (dmc.org)
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resource Center | Henry Ford Health System - Detroit, MI
COVID-19 Vaccine Information and Update | Michigan Medicine (uofmhealth.org)