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SXSW Cancelled Due to Coronavirus

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Re: SXSW Cancelled Due to Coronavirus

#21

Post by johnzim »

yourapostasy wrote: post #12
ProfessorLayton wrote: post #6

One interesting tidbit here is that the mayor made the call to cancel the event, not SXSW themselves. I understand the organizers stand to lose _a lot_ from cancellations, but this still seems like bad optics. Unrelated, but I have three big events I booked long ago that I'm either becoming weary of attending, or fear that they will be cancelled and I'll be on the hook for the hotel and other accommodations. One of t…

Could the city announcing the cancellation yield the organizers a more favorable insurance payout? I've heard of some event insurance policies treating pandemics as Acts of God, and will not pay on a pandemic forcing a cancellation or closure. Would be very interested in hearing the insurance industry's justification for that position.

They normally justify it by requiring you to take out an additional premium for such coverage rather than just skip out on it by force majeure. At least that's the way it's done in other countries.

Re: SXSW Cancelled Due to Coronavirus

#22

Post by bcrosby95 »

positr0n wrote: post #17
xwdv wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing will happen in 2 months that suddenly makes it safe to hold an event of that size attended by developers from all across the world. It’s over.

What about summmer? Honest question that I haven't seen discussed enough to form an opinion on. Flu and the common cold are drastically curtailed by late spring and it seems reasonable that coronavirus spread could also dramatically slow until the season starts again this fall.

The only answer you're going to get out of someone that isn't talking out their ass is: hopefully it will be curtailed by summer, but we don't really know. And keep in mind that summer in some places is winter in others.

Re: SXSW Cancelled Due to Coronavirus

#23

Post by AdamJacobMuller »

xwdv wrote: post #10
AdamJacobMuller wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Very likely, but, I don't think they have to announce that yet. We're 2 months out.

Nothing will happen in 2 months that suddenly makes it safe to hold an event of that size attended by developers from all across the world. It’s over.

Of course it could. China could easily develop and push to humans a vaccine at a pace which would make our FDA cringe, but, once its out there and tested on humans in China there's a very small chance the FDA won't be effectively forced to allow it in the USA.

Our containment efforts could prevent any significant self-sustaining communities in the USA. This seems plausible.

Testing could advance to a point where Apple safely and effectively door tests attendees. This seems like something Apple would and will do, if they can (e.g. if testing advances far enough in the next month or so).

I think Apple will announce a decision between 30-15 days out from the event and by that time their choice will be an obvious one.

Re: SXSW Cancelled Due to Coronavirus

#24

Post by jonknee »

shreyshrey wrote: post #18
ProfessorLayton wrote: post #6

One interesting tidbit here is that the mayor made the call to cancel the event, not SXSW themselves. I understand the organizers stand to lose _a lot_ from cancellations, but this still seems like bad optics. Unrelated, but I have three big events I booked long ago that I'm either becoming weary of attending, or fear that they will be cancelled and I'll be on the hook for the hotel and other accommodations. One of t…

What I am hearing is SXSW cannot get the insurance payout if they unilaterally cancel the event. Thatswhy they have waited the city and Austin Public Health to make the decision for them. Same thing with SaaStr as well - They waited for the Santa Clara county to make the decision.

That's the rumor, but the statement they put out was absolutely ridiculous and in no way required for insurance. The organizers were willing to put people at risk for profit.

Re: SXSW Cancelled Due to Coronavirus

#25

Post by alasdair_ »

tomerico wrote: post #19
xwdv wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing will happen in 2 months that suddenly makes it safe to hold an event of that size attended by developers from all across the world. It’s over.

That’s a very speculative statement. It’s quite possible that the Virus spread will stop as the weather warms up.

>That’s a very speculative statement. It’s quite possible that the Virus spread will stop as the weather warms up.

Based on what data?

This is something that Trump said and was immediately shut down on. We simply don't know enough to make any statements about spread probability yet.

Re: SXSW Cancelled Due to Coronavirus

#26

Post by davidw »

bcrosby95 wrote: post #22
positr0n wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What about summmer? Honest question that I haven't seen discussed enough to form an opinion on. Flu and the common cold are drastically curtailed by late spring and it seems reasonable that coronavirus spread could also dramatically slow until the season starts again this fall.

The only answer you're going to get out of someone that isn't talking out their ass is: hopefully it will be curtailed by summer, but we don't really know. And keep in mind that summer in some places is winter in others.

Relevant: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/06/its-a-false-hope-coronavirus...

No one knows.

Re: SXSW Cancelled Due to Coronavirus

#27

Post by kalium_xyz »

positr0n wrote: post #17
xwdv wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing will happen in 2 months that suddenly makes it safe to hold an event of that size attended by developers from all across the world. It’s over.

What about summmer? Honest question that I haven't seen discussed enough to form an opinion on. Flu and the common cold are drastically curtailed by late spring and it seems reasonable that coronavirus spread could also dramatically slow until the season starts again this fall.

It worked for sars and mers, its reasonable to think it would happen for covid, however we dont know.

Re: SXSW Cancelled Due to Coronavirus

#28

Post by excerionsforte »

SXSW was really bent on going through with this massive event even though smaller events were being cancelled. The spread would likely happen through multiple contacts in airports and since there is a delay in symptoms if any, SXSW woould, in the worst case, been a super spreader event. You could bet lawsuits would have rained on them and likely the City of Austin.

Sometimes, you just got to say no, we will not contribute to spreading this disease inadvertently and take the hit. SXSW organizers are unbelievable.

To the people only thinking of themselves about this just being a "flu", I read this yesterday: https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/1235015662117908481 It is not just about you. He pulled out of events because he wanted to limit contact to avoid spreading it to a vulnerable loved one.

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