SXSW is canceled over coronavirus concerns

[Dennis Donovan]

Source: CNN

New York (CNN Business)South by Southwest, the annual tech, film and music conference in Austin, has officially been canceled because of the coronavirus.

The decision, announced by city authorities on Friday, came just two days after Austin public health officials said the event could proceed as planned despite despite a string of high-profile dropouts and widespread calls to cancel.

"I've gone ahead and declared a local disaster in the city, and associated with that have issued an order that effectively cancels South by Southwest this year," Austin Mayor Steve Adler told reporters Friday afternoon.

The event had been scheduled to take place from March 13 to March 22.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/06/media/sxsw-preparation-coronavirus/

[LisaM]

1. Wow.

It's the right call, but wow.

[Dennis Donovan]

2. Yep. Prudent, but it's a huge thing in Austin in terms of revenue for the city, vendors, hotels...

That's a lot of people affected.

[Initech]

3. Fuck!!!

This is getting out of hand. It was a good call, but still...

[Leghorn21]

4. Mighty sorry, Austin and all attendees

Maybe peeps who are blasé about the imminent viral plague headed in will perk up, study up, and try to prepare for coming days as best they can...

Mighty sorry, this is a bfd

[Lonestarblue]

5. I live in Austin, and SXSW provides a lot of funds for hotels and restaurants here.

The local news tonight reported that the mayor and other city officials made their decision after looking at the international locations from which people would be traveling to attend the event. They then decided that the risk was just too great and cancelled. Most likely a good decision, but I feel bad for the people who will lose out economically, which is not just big hotel chains but hourly workers who depend on tips. This is the type of slowdown that will start having an impact on the overall economy.

[oldsoftie]

6. Is there even a case IN Texas?? I think this is over reacting.

[bullwinkle428]

7. 19 cases in Texas.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html

[TexasBushwhacker]

9. And none in the Austin area

It's not about protecting visitors from Austin. It's about protecting Austin from visitors, including many from California.

[former9thward]

8. This is an overreaction.

If it is not then why not cancel all sporting events, concerts, political rallies and everything else where large numbers of people are in contact with each other?

[LanternWaste]

10. Pro sports franchises are now considering audience-less games

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2020/03/06/coronavirus-what-would-sports-us-look-like-without-fans/4951168002/

So...