Posted on 03/06/2020 7:33:23 PM PST by Rebelbase
AUSTIN, Texas — For the first time in its 34-year history, South by Southwest has been canceled as the City of Austin declares a local disaster due to concerns about coronavirus spreading.
In an announcement on Friday by Mayor Steve Adler, Judge Sarah Eckhardt, Dr. Mark Escott of the Interim Health Authority and Austin Public Health Director Stephanie Hayden, the City of Austin declared a local disaster, canceling the spring festival event as the COVID-19 virus causes worldwide concern.
Judge Eckhardt also signed a companion declaration of disaster to apply county-wide in Travis County to festival gatherings that have guests from areas with documented cases of COVID-19 in close proximity with each other. That declaration lasts for seven days, with an option for renewal as long as officials see circumstances that require heightened preparation.
Dr. Escott said the decision to cancel SXSW was made after weighing options to mitigate the risk of the disease. He said factors such as the close proximity of participants and attendance of international guests led officials to cancel the event entirely.
(Excerpt) Read more at kvue.com ...
I’m guessing they’re all thinking lawsuit. One person catches it and dies and their kin sues for “they should have cancelled the event” and there you have it.
I expect these closures to spread for just that very reason. I don’t buy the “it’s for your safety” story one bit.
My brother (the one with 2/3 lungs = scar tissue) works as a restaurant asst. manager in that area. This will be an economic hit to the restaurant, but, he’ll be safer.
Holding my breath... /s
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