WCCO Skipping State Fair, COVID Concerns
• Due to concerns about the continued spread of COVID-19, Audacy News-Talk WCCO/Minneapolis announced that, for the first time since 1946, the station will forego its annual tradition of broadcasting from the Minnesota State Fair. In a statement announcing the decision, the station cited the Fair’s “honor system” approach of dealing with attendees instead of a more rigorous system of monitoring fairgoers for proof of vaccination, negative COVID test or masks, etc.
The statement reads, in part, “The hope going into this summer was a return to some normalcy and that includes the Minnesota State Fair. For the past couple of months, WCCO’s staff has been preparing for a return to our regular broadcast schedule at the Fair while also hoping for clear guidance from the Fair’s decision-makers on safely bringing people back. Certainly, the Fair has their reasons for the decisions they make and we have no reason to doubt or criticize those decisions. Out of concern for our staff, we were hopeful they would find a way to limit attendance, require vaccines or proof of negative tests, find ways to mask attendees in crowded areas, etc.
The Fair chose the ‘honor system’ and for our decision-makers, it is not enough to feel comfortable. Because of that, WCCO Radio has made the decision to not broadcast live at the Fair. It is a decision we have struggled with because our desire is to be there with our fans and friends. It is always an incredible opportunity to build connection with people we care about and hopefully care about us. However, we can’t in good conscience put any of our staff in a position to be exposed to someone who either knowingly or unknowingly has COVID — or cause anyone on our staff to be an unwitting carrier for someone back home who might be immune-compromised.”
In closing, the statement reads, “The message should be heard loud and clear — the return of large group gatherings without precautions can significantly increase the possibility of transmission of COVID. The data is clear. Not having attendance caps, and without demonstrating that attendees are either vaccinated or have a recent negative test creates risk in an environment as closely situated as the State Fair. For those reasons WCCO won’t see you at the Fair this year, and we greatly look forward to 2022!”
