The City of Austin cancelled South by Southwest. This move by Austin City Hall is the clearest indication yet of the seriousness of Cronavirus (COVID-19). SXSW released a statement saying that, “The show must go on” is in our DNA, and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place. We are now working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation.”

SARS, Swine Flu, Ebola, Zika; these are just some of the epidemics that SXSW has stayed open through. But not Coronavirus. So what makes this pandemic so different? And how is Coronavirus impacting Texans as it spreads across the Lone Star State?

Coronavirus: Not your average flu

1. Number of cases reported: Over 100,000 cases of Coronavirus have been reported as of March 9th, 2020. To put that into comparison, Ebola infected 33,000+, SARS infected 8,000+. Both Swine Flu and Zika infected a far larger share of the global population (700 million+ for Swine Flu) (100 million+ for Zika) but killed very few.

2. Fatality rate: The World Health Organization estimates the global Coronavirus fatality rate to be 3.4 percent and climbing. The U.S fatality rate is nearly double the world average at 5.43 percent. That’s a staggering number compared to the seasonal flu’s fatality rate of 0.1 percent and the Swine Flu’s .03-.08 percent. Zika’s fatality rate is 7.2 to 9.6 percent, but since Zika is primarily spread by mosquitoes it is geographically containable.

3. Speed and breadth of transmission: 100,000 cases of Coronavirus in 100 days in 24 countries. Over the course of their entire lives, only SARS, MERS, and Swine Flu (among global pandemics) have reached a higher number of countries.

4. Lack of vaccination: According to the World Health Organization, there is no vaccination or antiviral medicine that can treat Coronavirus.

5. At-risk demographics: The elderly are the most impacted by Coronavirus, by far. The death rate for those over 80 is 14.8 percent. The death rate for those 70-79 is 8 percent. Younger than that and there is a significant drop-off; 39 and under have a fatality rate of just .2 percent.

Coronavirus in Texas: Where we stand today

1. Number of cases reported: 24 total cases of Coronavirus have been reported.

2. Locations of reported cases: 11 cases were reported in Houston. 1 case reported near Dallas. These and others have been sent to Lackland Airforce base in San Antonio for quarantine. 100 Americans on-board the Grand Princess will also be quarantined at Lackland.

3. Number of fatalities: No known fatalities of Coronavirus in Texas yet.

4. Businesses, schools, and events impacted: North Star Mall in San Antonio was shut down for 24 hours. SXSW in Austin was cancelled. Rice University in Houston cancelled in-person classes. Houston Rodeo on ice after thousands sign petition to cancel.

The outlook, both locally and across the nation, is very bleak at the moment. Coronavirus will continue to spread, many more will become infected, some will die. The duration and deadliness of Coronavirus is hotly debated at the moment, but consider this sobering possibility: If Coronavirus reaches Swine Flu levels of global penetration (10-20 percent infected), and Coronavirus fatality rate holds steady or even drops to 2 percent, the death toll would be unimaginable. 50,000 to 5 million American lives could be lost. Globally, the outlook’s even worse—24 to 48 million people could lose their lives if the Coronavirus outbreak continues. While these numbers sounds far-fetched, the World Health Organization says we are in “uncharted territory.” Regardless of the eventual outcome, critics who dismiss the gravity of the Coronavirus situation are in for a rude awakening as the death toll rises, the stock market falls, and the world economy grinds to a standstill.