Northwest Chicagoland road meet: November 13, 2021

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

OK, since no one else has asked, and I'm known for asking uncomfortable questions, I'll bite.

Just how, exactly, is this vaccine mandate going to be enforced? Will someone be checking everyone's cards? And what happens if someone who hasn't taken the shot, or prefers to keeps such information as a personal health matter private, shows up? Are they going to be banished to a separate table? Shunned from the group? Complained about to the management and management be asked to evict them? Will they not be allowed to wait outside and follow along in the caravan to sites of interest along the tour? Forbidden from being in the group picture?

I'm going to bring 20 rattlesnake venom extractor kits, and take extractions from each attendee. Those extractions will then be tested to see if the human has live covid virus inside them, or dead covid antibodies. Those with the antibodies will allow to participate in all roadmeet activities, while those with covid will be shipped to District 10.

Do you like needles, H.B.? 

[Alps]

OK, since no one else has asked, and I'm known for asking uncomfortable questions, I'll bite.

Just how, exactly, is this vaccine mandate going to be enforced? Will someone be checking everyone's cards? And what happens if someone who hasn't taken the shot, or prefers to keeps such information as a personal health matter private, shows up? Are they going to be banished to a separate table? Shunned from the group? Complained about to the management and management be asked to evict them? Will they not be allowed to wait outside and follow along in the caravan to sites of interest along the tour? Forbidden from being in the group picture?

The host said vaccines are required. Don't go if you're not vaccinated. We all know you're not and therefore you are not welcome.

[bandit957]

Just how, exactly, is this vaccine mandate going to be enforced?

I was thinking about this too, but I guess the host of this meet could just ask people to bring in their vaccine card or a good photo of it on their smartphone or digital camera. If a restaurant doesn't require it, then I guess the person could still patronize that restaurant, but they wouldn't get to be with the group.

I have a photo of my vaccination card on my smartphone, but I wouldn't have expected we'd get to the point where restaurants and grocery stores would ask to see it. My actual card is at home, safe and sound.

[hbelkins]

OK, since no one else has asked, and I'm known for asking uncomfortable questions, I'll bite.

Just how, exactly, is this vaccine mandate going to be enforced? Will someone be checking everyone's cards? And what happens if someone who hasn't taken the shot, or prefers to keeps such information as a personal health matter private, shows up? Are they going to be banished to a separate table? Shunned from the group? Complained about to the management and management be asked to evict them? Will they not be allowed to wait outside and follow along in the caravan to sites of interest along the tour? Forbidden from being in the group picture?

The host said vaccines are required. Don't go if you're not vaccinated. We all know you're not and therefore you are not welcome.

Don't worry. I don't have a vehicle capable of making a long-distance trip to Chicago anyway.

But this is rich, given that in the past some people made a huge stink over a years-ago meet that was kept secret from some because of the fear that certain potential attendees would cause disruptions, and then further pronouncements during subsequent meet announcements that all attendees are welcome.

I'm starting to understand why Brandon Penney feels the way he does about the roadgeek community at large, the way he has been ostracized.

It's a sad day in our society when people are shunned because of their medical decisions.

[AsphaltPlanet]

It isn't a sad day when people are shunned for their medical decisions.

Here in Ontario, twice during the past year our hospitals have stopped all non-emergency surgeries because they have been so inundated by seriously ill covid patients.

So, the decision on whether or not to get vaccinated doesn't just effect the person making that decision, it effects society at large.  So, it's not unreasonable that there be negative consequences surrounding those who choose not to be vaccinated.

And it's not like that hasn't happened anywhere else aside from Ontario.  But it's just a bad flu, right HB?

And Brandon Penny has been ostracized because of his own actions, whether or not he realizes that or not.

[abefroman329]

I've prepared a preliminary route and list of attractions for our tour. Printed copies will be provided.

Here's the Facebook event page for the meet. RSVP there so I can estimate how many to expect. Inviting your other roadgeek friends is encouraged.

Lunch will be at 11:30 at Buona in Hoffman Estates, a Chicago restaurant featuring Italian beef sandwiches and other tasty things. We'll move to the Barrington Road Park-n-Ride at 12:30 to start the tour.

COVID-19 vaccination will be required to join us for lunch and any other indoor events I might plan. Stay tuned for announcements on potential evening activities.



This year I'll be hosting a road meet to share what Chicago's northwest suburbs have to offer, from Algonquin to Elk Grove Village. Sights will include:

• The impressive Western Algonquin Bypass on Illinois route 31
• Longmeadow Parkway and its brand new bridge over the Fox River
• The vintage US-20 Elgin Bypass
• Upgrades, widening, and new exits on I-90, the Jane Addams Tollway
• The long-awaited Illinois 390 tollway

I know you have to draw the line somewhere, and I don't know if there's sufficient time in the day, but have you also considered the following?

The vintage expressway portions of IL-53 north of I-290
Construction progress on I-490 [the pillars for future I-490 traffic at I-294 just south of the freight yard, the overpass over I-90 at its northern end, etc.]
The new exit ramp from I-90 east to Cumberland

I'll be gone that weekend and, frankly, find Internet meetups to be a little weird, with incredibly rare exceptions, but I hope it's a successful one!

[oscar]

Here in Ontario, twice during the past year our hospitals have stopped all non-emergency surgeries because they have been so inundated by seriously ill covid patients.

Only twice? Doing better than many places down here.

That makes me feel a little better about a probable upcoming trip to Ontario. Of course, Canada won't let me in, except with satisfactory proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test just before I cross the border.

[AsphaltPlanet]

Ontario is currently having a strong fourth wave, and there are still a lot of people in ICU, but our CONSERVATIVE government has mandated vaccines for various workplaces, and we have vaccine passports for non-essential businesses.  So the fourth wave seems to have somewhat peaked, and cases have declined over the past week.

I hope you have a wonderful time in Ontario should you come and visit.

[oscar]

we have vaccine passports for non-essential businesses.

More details to work out for Ontario:

-- would a vaccine passport be needed to stay in a hotel/motel?

-- if one is needed, would the CDC vaccination record card, issued by my county health department for both my vaccine doses, suffice? (Early take is that Ontario has, or is planning to require in late October, an electronic vaccine passport system for its residents, that might not be available for out-of-province or international visitors.)

Looks easier in Quebec, which seems to be exempting out-of-province travelers from its electronic vaccine passport system, though a paper vax record card would be needed as a substitute.

Might want to split this off into a separate topic, especially since it could be useful for others with Canada travel plans but (like me) no plans to attend the Chicagoland meet.

[AsphaltPlanet]

The vaccine passport system in Ontario just started this week, so I actually haven't had any first hand experience.  From what I understand, a paper vaccination record as well as photo ID is required, so I don't see why the same from the US wouldn't be valid.  Hotels don't seem to be on the list of facilities that require a proof of vaccination, but dine in restaurants do, as well as casinos and other entertainment establishments.

An electronic vaccination record system is planned for October, but I'm honestly not sure what that will look like.

This is the news release from Ontario's website (which honestly isn't as clear as it probably could be):
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000779/ontario-to-require-proof-of-vaccination-in-select-settings

[Alps]

ArriveCAN caused me no issues crossing the border in August and there are no inter province checkpoints (except maybe into NS - I went the back way) so you shouldn't need to worry.

[Nikolai]

Just how, exactly, is this vaccine mandate going to be enforced? Will someone be checking everyone's cards?

I'll be confirming upon lunch arrival. Proof is not required; I trust that my roadgeek friends are honest.

And what happens if someone who hasn't taken the shot, or prefers to keeps such information as a personal health matter private, shows up?

I'd ask them to sit elsewhere at a distance from our group, and meet us at 12:30 for the tour.

It's a sad day in our society when people are shunned because of their medical decisions.

Non-vaccinated attendees are still welcome at the meet. It's just the lunch and indoor events I request vaccination for, since COVID-19 is less of a risk when outside.

[Rothman]

It's a sad day in our society when people are shunned because of their medical decisions.

Medical decisions can have public consequences.  I don't see it as a matter of shunning, but of medical prudence when it comes to a group setting.

[Nikolai]

I know you have to draw the line somewhere, and I don't know if there's sufficient time in the day, but have you also considered the following?

The vintage expressway portions of IL-53 north of I-290

I wasn't aware how vintage that expressway was. Anything about it that's worth seeing in particular?

Construction progress on I-490 [the pillars for future I-490 traffic at I-294 just south of the freight yard, the overpass over I-90 at its northern end, etc.

Yep, we'll be checking that out.

The new exit ramp from I-90 east to Cumberland

I'll save that for a potential future meet that focuses on the inner suburbs, after I-490 is complete.

[Rothman]

ArriveCAN caused me no issues crossing the border in August and there are no inter province checkpoints (except maybe into NS - I went the back way) so you shouldn't need to worry.

I just crossed from Sarnia to Queenston/Lewiston this past Friday (just cut through).  Got a COVID test on the Tuesday afternoon prior.  Entering Canada (and then the U.S.) went very smoothly and ArriveCAN facilitated the process.  Can't complain in the slightest.

Only stressful part was wondering if my test results would come in by the time I was at the border, since they had to be within 72 hours of crossing.

[abefroman329]

I know you have to draw the line somewhere, and I don't know if there's sufficient time in the day, but have you also considered the following?

The vintage expressway portions of IL-53 north of I-290

I wasn't aware how vintage that expressway was. Anything about it that's worth seeing in particular?

As I recall, the northern end at Lake-Cook looks about the same as it did forty years ago

[A.J. Bertin]

I'll be gone that weekend and, frankly, find Internet meetups to be a little weird, with incredibly rare exceptions, but I hope it's a successful one!

I'm not sure why you're following and participating in this part of the AARoads forum if you think Internet meetups are weird.  Internet meetups are pretty common nowadays.  Many of us have been attending in-person road meets for many years and have established some really good friendships from them.  Don't knock it until you've given it a chance!

[abefroman329]

I'll be gone that weekend and, frankly, find Internet meetups to be a little weird, with incredibly rare exceptions, but I hope it's a successful one!

I'm not sure why you're following and participating in this part of the AARoads forum if you think Internet meetups are weird.  Internet meetups are pretty common nowadays.  Many of us have been attending in-person road meets for many years and have established some really good friendships from them.  Don't knock it until you've given it a chance!

These are good points - I have attended Internet meetups in the past, but the most recent one was over 15 years ago.  My comments were not intended to discourage anyone from attending.

[Nikolai]

We're about a month away from Chicago, and I'd like to share with you these fun optional evening events I'm planning after the meet (vaccination required):

• 5:30: Dinner at Lou Malnati's in Schaumburg, for the quintessential Chicago-style deep dish pizza.
• 7:00: A visit to Woodfield Mall, the landmark that set the stage for massive regional shopping centers in the '70s.
• 8:00: A show at Laugh Out Loud Theater, a shining example of the improvised comedy that Chicago is famous for. Advance ticket purchase is currently necessary at this link and the theater requires masks.

[hbelkins]

We're about a month away from Chicago, and I'd like to share with you these fun optional evening events I'm planning after the meet (vaccination required):

• 5:30: Dinner at Lou Malnati's in Schaumburg, for the quintessential Chicago-style deep dish pizza.

Cue the "that's not real pizza" arguments in 3,2,1...

[JoePCool14]

We're about a month away from Chicago, and I'd like to share with you these fun optional evening events I'm planning after the meet (vaccination required):

• 5:30: Dinner at Lou Malnati's in Schaumburg, for the quintessential Chicago-style deep dish pizza.

Cue the "that's not real pizza" arguments in 3,2,1...

More controversial than vaccination requirement. 

[Alps]

We're about a month away from Chicago, and I'd like to share with you these fun optional evening events I'm planning after the meet (vaccination required):

• 5:30: Dinner at Lou Malnati's in Schaumburg, for the quintessential Chicago-style deep dish pizza.

Cue the "that's not real pizza" arguments in 3,2,1...

I include deep dish as a recognized pizza style. I do not condone pan pizza.

[Alps]

And I'm in for this!

[TheHighwayMan3561]

And I'm in for this!

Because you're in, I'm in.

[signalman]

And I'm in for this!

Because you're in, I'm in.

As enticing as it is, I am out. Understand that it's not because of who is or isn't attending. My current work schedule makes doing things during the day difficult, if not impossible.