As always, I appreciate your voice in this space, simply because there is so much that is truly ineffectual, like the running “journalists” who cannot for their life practice objective journalistic integrity with fact-checks. But I cannot in good faith leave this page without a respectful fact-check since these posts about masking are misleading, misinformed, and problematic by presenting an image and false backstory that only plays into one’s confirmation bias. (I apologize in advance for the lack of paragraphs since I’m unsure if hitting enter will send the comment before I’m done). Now, as a model & public health advocate in NYC and a COVID compliance officer, let’s explain how the entertainment industry is one of the last industries with the strictest requirements for mask mandates and testing on set. Any background actor currently must be fully vaccinated to film on set (that means primary vaccine and one booster - mRNA would be two doses and a booster, and the J&J would be one booster, but J&J is being phased out.) It seems as though President Biden is on one of the late night talk shows (I want to say that looks like Jimmy Kimmel?). So the current guidelines that have been in place since the pandemic began and filming was allowed to resume in indoor studios was to have a PCR test and isolate prior to the day of filming, rapid tests are given on the majority of sets on the morning of, those of us booked to work on set are given MULTIPLE PCR tests to be certain we are negative prior to arriving to film. Masks are required to be worn at all times that the cameras are not rolling (which means backstage and in call rooms prior to guests on talk shows coming out), and if by chance the hosts or principal actors in addition to anyone else on set tests positive they are to immediately go home and isolate - they do not return unless cleared by COVID compliance (normally a series of negative PCR & rapid tests). The film industry has had the strictest provisions during the pandemic, and when new variants have entered the general population, a key set of informatics about their transmission was how many entertainment productions had to close down. The SAFEST way to congregate indoors is ALWAYS to test prior to congregations, and have a mask on at all times other than while eating or filming. There is additional HEPA filtration all over set, ventilation, and air scrubbers that are on in between takes (and if they’re not, I’m the first one to make certain they are.) You are free to look up the mandatory requirements with regards to COVID on any SAG-AFTRA union set, as well as multiple articles that have been written about the topic. Unfortunately, that tweet is yet another misleading photo with no other factual information alongside it. That’s the problem with those who wish to make this something it is not. There are exemptions for vaccination (very rarely given), and everyone has a choice as to whether or not they wish to be vaccinated. Depending on your work state and role on set + union status contributes to whether or not you are required to be vaccinated; however, EVERYONE is tested, no exceptions. Everyone is also masked (masks and PPE are provided on set), and on some sets N95s can be obtained only by signing a waiver. This is my line of professional work as a SAG-AFTRA union model, public health compliance expertise and research, feel free to reach out - I’m happy to send over more protocols and verification of the rules and regulations for film and TV sets :)
As always, I appreciate your voice in this space, simply because there is so much that is truly ineffectual, like the running “journalists” who cannot for their life practice objective journalistic integrity with fact-checks. But I cannot in good faith leave this page without a respectful fact-check since these posts about masking are misleading, misinformed, and problematic by presenting an image and false backstory that only plays into one’s confirmation bias. (I apologize in advance for the lack of paragraphs since I’m unsure if hitting enter will send the comment before I’m done). Now, as a model & public health advocate in NYC and a COVID compliance officer, let’s explain how the entertainment industry is one of the last industries with the strictest requirements for mask mandates and testing on set. Any background actor currently must be fully vaccinated to film on set (that means primary vaccine and one booster - mRNA would be two doses and a booster, and the J&J would be one booster, but J&J is being phased out.) It seems as though President Biden is on one of the late night talk shows (I want to say that looks like Jimmy Kimmel?). So the current guidelines that have been in place since the pandemic began and filming was allowed to resume in indoor studios was to have a PCR test and isolate prior to the day of filming, rapid tests are given on the majority of sets on the morning of, those of us booked to work on set are given MULTIPLE PCR tests to be certain we are negative prior to arriving to film. Masks are required to be worn at all times that the cameras are not rolling (which means backstage and in call rooms prior to guests on talk shows coming out), and if by chance the hosts or principal actors in addition to anyone else on set tests positive they are to immediately go home and isolate - they do not return unless cleared by COVID compliance (normally a series of negative PCR & rapid tests). The film industry has had the strictest provisions during the pandemic, and when new variants have entered the general population, a key set of informatics about their transmission was how many entertainment productions had to close down. The SAFEST way to congregate indoors is ALWAYS to test prior to congregations, and have a mask on at all times other than while eating or filming. There is additional HEPA filtration all over set, ventilation, and air scrubbers that are on in between takes (and if they’re not, I’m the first one to make certain they are.) You are free to look up the mandatory requirements with regards to COVID on any SAG-AFTRA union set, as well as multiple articles that have been written about the topic. Unfortunately, that tweet is yet another misleading photo with no other factual information alongside it. That’s the problem with those who wish to make this something it is not. There are exemptions for vaccination (very rarely given), and everyone has a choice as to whether or not they wish to be vaccinated. Depending on your work state and role on set + union status contributes to whether or not you are required to be vaccinated; however, EVERYONE is tested, no exceptions. Everyone is also masked (masks and PPE are provided on set), and on some sets N95s can be obtained only by signing a waiver. This is my line of professional work as a SAG-AFTRA union model, public health compliance expertise and research, feel free to reach out - I’m happy to send over more protocols and verification of the rules and regulations for film and TV sets :)