[21twelve]

I'm guessing two-thirds of the scientists are pissed. Those that were going to give talks to promote their names, and those that were going to see some of the sights and drink.

One-third probably are glad they didn't have to leave their family to have rubber-chicken dinners and listen to boring talks.

While it is important to know what is going on in one’s various fields of endeavors, I'm not sure conferences are the most useful way of doing it. Yes, there can be many interesting presentations, but I doubt much of it sinks in or is useful.

[zipper]

I’m guessing they’re all happy since they’ll stay at home and they’ll eventually get paid anyway, except for the per diem.

And I’m happy since they cam’t plot against us.

[AndyJackson]

The thing that I most enjoy at these things are the novel carpet designs in the conference venues. It is a challenge to pick patterns and colors so that you cannot tell that one of those rubber chicken dinners got spilled on the floor.

[ssfromla]

...hundreds of government scientists are also no longer allowed to attend the conference or two other major scientific gatherings scheduled to begin this week.

Good. Throw a lavish party with your own money.