Streamers Offer Thoughts About TwitchCon 2022 COVID Policies

Following today’s COVID-19 policy change announced by TwitchCon, a number of content creators on Twitch have engaged in heated debates about the issue, expressing their disapproval or support of the platform’s choice.

TwitchCon San Diego has reversed course and implemented tighter health safety restrictions that mandate guests to wear masks and submit either proof of immunization or negative COVID-19 testing after receiving significant outcry for its earlier liberal COVID-19 policies. Although Twitch made this choice in an effort to allay guests’ fears and foster a more welcoming environment, it appears that the policy change at the livestreaming convention has only fueled debate. Both streamers and viewers were happy that the site was paying attention to its users’ concerns when the new TwitchCon health policies were first announced. xChocoBars, Dray from SoaR, and other streamers applauded Twitch’s final decision.

Nmplol, a co-founder of OTK, however, drew attention to the considerable variations in viewpoint that the Tweet rapidly generated.

Despite being an originally well-liked choice, several other creators responded negatively. While NICKMERCS later announced his own event in breach of TwitchCon’s rules, some FaZe streamers, including Swag, simply responded to the official announcement by writing “L” under the post. 

Other streamers disagreed with Twitch’s choice, including the lately rising Knut. Knut wrote; “I think this is a bad decision. But I’ll respect the rules since a mask won’t bother me for a few hours.”

Adin Ross, one of the most well-known designers on the platform, gave a hazy response that left room for interpretation, but other top creators expressed their dissatisfaction more bluntly. Creator Wildcat wrote scathingly, “If you’re somehow still worried about Covid in 2022 and feel you need a mask after being triple quadruple vaxxed, maybe just don’t go to a convention or leave your house at all.” 

Many of the biggest content creators on the site have yet to weigh in, but it is obvious that this argument will likely continue until TwitchCon San Diego is over. Countless creators have continued to interact with both Twitch’s statement and one another.