As musicians, music lovers, and live music-goers, we are acutely aware of the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 shutdowns on our music scene, community, and ourselves. Compared to other industries, the music industry can’t just pivot to takeout or mail order to survive. As the live music scene recovers, we must be honest with ourselves—COVID-19 still exists and has real risks in our “post-pandemic” world. This means we must be proactive to avoid a repeat of 2020-22, which means staying current on our COVID-19 vaccines for those who can.
We get it; no one wants to get a needle in the arm, and for some, there are very real reasons to be skeptical of vaccines and conditions prohibiting vaccination, which means if we want to keep going to live shows, those who can get vaccinated should. Whether you’re on stage, manning the merch table, or just seeing a show, public health experts recommend that everyone, particularly those at higher risk of exposure, like from attending concerts, receive the new version of the vaccine.
The pandemic's impact on the live music industry has been profound, with some of our most cherished venues closing their doors and tours being postponed or canceled. COVID has already taken enough from us, and staying current is a low-effort way we can fight back.
Vaccinations, including the latest version, are widely available at pharmacies and community health centers; you can find a database of clinics and pharmacies offering COVID-19 Boosters at www.vaccines.gov.
Together, We Can Build a Healthier Future for Music
Seattle’s musicians give so much to our community—now it’s our turn to give back. Your donation to SMASH provides local artists access to affordable healthcare, mental health resources, and vital support services, helping them thrive both on and off the stage. Together, we can ensure the music never stops.
When you make a tax-deductible gift to SMASH, you directly impact our capacity to serve current members, expand programs and services, and support even more musicians in our area.
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