Masking Survey Results

""Masks optional""

"best to rescind ineffective policy altogether"

"Change to “Not required”"

"Don't recommend masks, just make them optional."

"Don’t require anything, people have to be able to choose what to do with their health. "

"Either is fine, but “strongly recommended” at the least"

"Either keep it required and actually enforce the policy, or acknowledge the reality of current adherence to existing policy by changing the policy to better reflect reality"

"Either required, or not required. "Strongly recommended" is a silly way of passing the buck. If you think with masks is still significantly safer, then require them. If not, then don't."

"Eliminate the requirement"

"I hate dancing with a mask, so I don’t go. "

"I would be dancing regularly if masks were nit required or encouraged. (They don't work.)"

"It's time for masks to be optional."

"It's time to let go of the mask policy"

"Keep it "optional""

"Leave it up to each individual dancer"

"Let go of the masks "

"Make it optional"

"Mask not required "

"Mask optional "

"Mask unrequired "

"Masks do not work as you think they do."

"Masks optional "

"Masks optional, request that people respect their partner's desire for them to wear a mask if requested."

"No mask catch up to world"

"No mask statement at all"

"no masks period"

"No statement about masks and let people do what suits them "

"No. I'd rather you say masks not required. I don't believe masks should be recommended at all. "

"No. Let’s lift the mask mandate."

"Not required and not recommended. If some people really want to keep wearing their masks, good for them. They should have the choice to do so. But for everyone else? No need to wear a mask any more. "

"Optional"

"Optional "

"Recommended "

"remove it all together. no reason for a separate policy from the city."

"Remove it. This is insanity."

"Remove mandatory masking"

"Remove mask-wearing as a requirement "

"Remove requirement "

"Remove the mask policy entirely. People can wear a mask if they want to. It doesn't need to be required or strongly recommended. "

"Remove the mask recommendations altogether. "

"Remove the masks. Most people have been vaccinated or don’t care."

"Remove the policy all together"

"Remove the policy. Folks can decide for themselves at this point."

"Revoke the mask required policy."

"Since this was not an option, I’m writing it in here. I cannot wear a mask while dancing and have not been coming while the mask policy was in place. I know I’m not the only one. "

"Stop mask mandates! Let it be a choice to wear a mask "

"There are so many medical studies that masks don’t work but harm."

"Up to people’s choise"

"Change it to "strongly recommended"" x 145

“Keep it required” x 43

"I don’t know. I just feel a low grade hum of anxiety that makes it hard for me to be decisive in this. "

"I like what Shades is doing- masks required until halfway through the night, then optional but you keep one on you so if someone wants to dance with masks they can. "

"I’d be ok with relaxing it if everyone is confirmed vaccinated"

"Not required if you are up to date with all vaccines and boosters"

"Switching to masks strongly recommended is an appropriate decision at this time, BUT it should come with a restored vaccination requirement. Surely this can status, once verified at the door, can kept on file if people opt to do so? Either way, this should still address concerns of both physical convenience of needing masks in addition to potential health risks without the requirement. Whatever the decision, there should be a proactive stance on health & safety, e.g. free cancellation of classes/credit for illness, PSA stuff like info on when the next flu season starts and so on. Breakaway has been consistently responsible in this subject, and I think what many dancers want is an assurance that the venue will continue to be so in the future."

"Think it’s important that the policy includes people with symptoms masking or staying home "

"Vax required and mask optional"

"Would prefer "mask optional". If masks are "strongly recommended" then you're basically still requiring them. If someone doesn't wear a mask, then it seems like they're being an asshole, rather than just preferring not to wear one. With "masks optional" people can choose what their comfort level is. "

"I don't have a preference either way" x 11

Yes x 73

No x 181

"Yes, but why are we still wearing masks at all? If someone feels sick they should stay home. Common sense.. no big mystery here. "

"Yes, I would still attend, but again want to point out that if masks are "strongly encouraged" then they're basically still required. If masks were "strongly encouraged" I would continue to wear a mask out of courtesy for the organization. If masks were truly optional I would not wear one. If y'all really want people to wear a mask just keep the requirement."

"Yes. Also remove your vaccine policy."

"I have not been attending *because of* the masks. Will start to come regularly once they are not required! "

"I will stop attending if you keep the mask mandate"

"I would attend but likely prefer to dance with masked people only "

"I would attend more"

"I would but would be unable to bring new friends who I know are covid-conscious"

"I would undoubtedly attend if masks are"optional""

"i'd continue to attend unless people start giving me the stink eye for not wearing it. Or if I start getting turned down for dance requests without a mask. I do not expect that to be the case based on such a great community."

"Likely yes, but with lackluster ventilation, I may be hesitant. Getting some good ventilation and filters would help ease some concern."

"Maybe. I really do not enjoy dancing while wearing a mask. There isn’t much need for one now."

"More likely to attend if masking is optional "

"No need to wear a mask at all"

"Yes" x 197

"Certainly Less often, no classes "

"I (and many other great dancers I know) will never attend the Breakaway while required masking is in place. I also know many good dancers who feel likewise (and are not even filling out this survey). You folks should be ashamed of yourselves, and frankly seek psychological help :-)"

"I am currently not attending the Breakaway because of the requirements to wear a mask! Isnt the pandemic over?"

"I would like to attend, but I’m not sure if I can stomach watching people dance while masked."

"I'm currently very sick with something contagious that tests COVID negative and I don't feel safe anymore without masks. Choosing to wear a mask is not enough for me to be safe. Dancing is too close quarters for me without a mask even though I'm in a low risk group and in my early 30s."

"not sure would depend on my health and the health of my family (older grandparents at home)"

"That verbiage discourages me from attending. "

"No" x 25

"Depends on the amount of community transmission of COVID. If cases are high, I won't attend Breakaway."

"Depends on the prevelance of COVID at the time"

"I don’t know. I’m not sure how my mask anxiety will impact me. So far it’s been fairly unpredictable. "

"I guess I would have to see how many people in the community wear masks. On busy nights (like live-band night) I might consider not attending, since it isn't so clear that there is good air circulation in the main dance hall. It already gets quite stuffy in the main ballroom and the classrooms as it is - I'm not sure what you all are planning to do during the summer time when it gets hotter in there, especially if folks are not required to mask."

"I would have to get a feel for the scene"

"Maybe"

"Maybe "

"Maybe, but only if most were unmasked. I dance to experience joy, which you see in human faces."

"maybe, dancing is essentially breathing together so would rather engage with those who are available, not fearful"

"Not sure. I’m higher risk for COVID and have appreciated how safe the masking policy has made me feel. If it was encouraged but only 5% of people wore one I’d probably stop attending. "

"Unsure"