Out of Netflix shows to binge after social distancing for almost a year? Are virtual events just a painful reminder of what you’ve been missing out on throughout 2020?
Good news! We could be out enjoying the arts and entertainment again by the end of the year.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious disease expert in the United States and director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), offered hope when, at a virtual conference held by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, he suggested that theaters and other venues could possibly open by fall of 2021.
The possibility for this return will require the country to reach herd immunity from COVID-19. Fauci says this could be achieved once vaccinations reach 70 to 85 percent of the population.
“If everything goes right, this is will occur some time in the fall of 2021,” Fauci said, “so that by the time we get to the early to mid-fall, you can have people feeling safe performing onstage as well as people [feeling safe] in the audience.”
Fauci went on to say that with successful vaccinations, many pandemic restrictions can be lifted from theaters, with the exception of wearing masks. Venues with good ventilation and proper air filters could “start getting back to almost full capacity,” according to Fauci.
“We’ll be back in the theaters. Performers will be performing, audiences will be enjoying it,” Fauci said. “It will happen.”
Pittsburgh organizations, like the Cultural Trust, and other venues have been on hiatus since Mar. 2020, with the hope of reopening later this year.
Story by: Nathan Rega (nrr5191@psu.edu)
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