Canceling SXSW won't make Austin safer from coronavirus, health officials say

[TexasTowelie]

Even as coronavirus fears grow across the globe, Austin Public Health officials on Wednesday said that canceling next week’s South by Southwest festival won’t make the city safer from the virus.

“Today the threat of community spread in Austin remains low, however, we are prepared for it to happen here,” said Dr. Mark Escott, interim medical director and health authority for Austin Public Health. He said it is not a matter of if but when COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, shows up in Austin.

On Tuesday, Escott said at least one person in Travis County was being tested for COVID-19. The test results were still pending Wednesday.

The city’s response to the coronavirus scare involves convening a panel of health officials, including local physicians and infectious diseases experts, to evaluate how the virus is affecting Austin. The panel met Tuesday night to weigh the risks of upcoming mass gatherings like SXSW, Escott said.

Read more: https://www.statesman.com/news/20200304/canceling-sxsw-wonrsquot-make-austin-safer-from-coronavirus-health-officials-say

[TexasTowelie]

3. I have a friend in Austin who will be having his 50th birthday during SWSW

He is having a huge party to celebrate and I wanted to attend, but after researching how much it would cost to stay at a hotel for a couple nights it wasn't a prudent financial decision. I'll catch up with him at a later date when we can spend more time hanging out with each other.

[TexasTowelie]

11. My friend sent out the invitations for the Golden Jubilee on the Ides of March

during the fall of last year, before the COVID-19 outbreak. He rented the Zilker Park Clubhouse which overlooks the Colorado River and is used as a wedding venue. Considering that there are at least 100 people that confirmed their attendance and that he rented the venue from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, it probably cost at least $2,000 so it really is too late to cancel.

[Zoonart]

2. Better safe than sorry.

[Miguelito Loveless]

4. Somebody is running for Mayor of Amity Island....

[beachbumbob]

5. public officials more worried about profits and business than health of people

why little trust can be placed on those who say no big deal about large gatherings. like WTF

[Paladin]

8. Austin will be a much nicer place without SXSW.

Traffic is bad enough, under-talented bands are easy to find, and there are more than enough drunk adolescents puking in the streets, without the yearly influx of outsiders.

And as I've said before on more than one occasion: If you think Austin is a cool place now, you should have seen it 50 years ago.

[BlueTexasMan]

9. Austin now and then

Traffic is horrible now, made worse by our influx of visitors, but the bands that come have worked hard to get here and are usually at the top of their class. As far as 'under-talented' goes, some of the best bands around weren't necessarily masters of their instruments. Were the Grateful Dead 'under-talented'? Was Shiva's Headband 'under-talented'? Also in this home of The University of Texas, there will be a never ending procession of youth puking in the street! Watching this virus spread, it seems to me that it will probably be everywhere soon despite our best efforts to curtail it.

[catrose]

10. Bringing thousands of people from around the world

And squashing them into an already crowded area—what could go wrong?

[Javaman]

12. yeah okay. more bullshit.

I work in Downtown Austin. I will be working from home for the duration of sxsw.

[TexasTowelie]

13. I don't blame you.

In 2012 I came from Brenham into Austin to celebrate my birthday in early June when the Republic of Texas Biker Rally was occurring. I made the grave mistake of walking down 6th Street on Friday afternoon. When I finally met up with my friends after they left work it seemed like hours before my hearing adjusted back to normal. While it was great to see my friends, it was also somewhat sad because three people died in bike accidents that day.