Fears of coronavirus prompt online petition to cancel SXSW gathering in Austin

Rick Jervis | USA TODAY

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AUSTIN, Texas – Fears of the coronavirus outbreak loom over one of the state's most popular – and populous – gatherings.

A petition launched on Change.org to cancel the sprawling SXSW Conference & Festivals because of coronavirus concerns swelled to more than 20,000 signatures. Monday Facebook announced it was pulling out of the event and hours earlier Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, scheduled to speak at the conference, pulled out of the event. China Gathering, a group of Chinese entrepreneurs, also said it would not attend the event.

The 10-day gathering, set to begin March 13, draws about 400,000 people a year to discuss and celebrate the convergence of film, tech and music. It has never canceled in its 34-year history, organizers said.

In a letter posted to the China Gathering website, Vivian Forrest, the group's founder and chief executive, expressed remorse for pulling out of SXSW because of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

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“This has been a very difficult decision to make,” she wrote. “I sincerely believe that staying together and staying strong, we can find a way to stop the disease. Finger(s) crossed for a brighter and healthier future – and we look forward to being even more involved in next year’s SXSW!”

In a statement, a spokesman for SXSW said event organizers are in close contact with local, state and federal agencies to monitor the outbreak.

“As a result of this dialogue and the recommendations of Austin Public Health, the 2020 event is proceeding with safety as a top priority,” the statement said.

It continued: “There is a lot about COVID-19 that is still unknown, but what we do know is that personal hygiene is of critical importance. We hope that people follow the science, implement the recommendations of public health agencies, and continue to participate in the activities that make our world connected. That’s our plan.”

Austin Public Health officials gave SXSW the green light to proceed.

"At this time, no health departments in the state have requested the cancellation of any gatherings as the current risk of person-to-person spread in their jurisdictions remains low," it said on its website. "The health of the Austin community and those who visit our city is our highest priority. APH coordinates with South by Southwest (SXSW) annually to monitor and prepare for any public health emergencies during the festival – this year is no different."

The global death count from the coronavirus has climbed past 3,000, and the number of confirmed cases topped 90,000. In the USA, six deaths and 100 cases have been reported. All U.S. deaths occurred in Washington state.

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Across the nation, groups and corporations discourage global travel and rethink large gatherings. Cancellations based on coronavirus fears include:

• Facebook canceled the in-person portion of its F8 developer conference “to prioritize the health and safety of our developer partners, employees and everyone who helps put F8 on,” it said on the F8 website.

• Organizers canceled the annual meeting of the American Physical Society, scheduled to draw thousands to Denver this week, “due to rapidly escalating health concerns relating to the spread of the coronavirus disease,” according to its website.

• The world’s biggest mobile phone show, Mobile World Congress, canceled its gathering in Barcelona, Spain, after exhibitors and companies pulled out of the event.

• CERAWeek, one of the premier energy industry conferences, canceled its annual gathering in Houston, scheduled for next week.

State health officials confirmed three cases of the coronavirus in Texas. One of those patients was released from a quarantine center in San Antonio, then tested positive for the virus, according to the San Antonio Express-News.

The woman, an evacuee from Wuhan, China, ground zero for the outbreak, visited a San Antonio hotel and ate at a mall before being requarantined and testing positive.

Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which oversees the quarantine. “What happened in San Antonio and what the CDC did is completely unacceptable,” he said at a news conference. “I think they understand the magnitude of the error they made. … We have been fully engaged in ensuring CDC immediately implements course correction.”

SXSW, which brought more than $355 million in economic impact last year, plans to go on with the majority of its scheduled programming, including talks with Hillary Clinton, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff and entertainer Janelle Monáe.

Austin resident Shayla Lee said she posted the online petition to stop the gathering because she was concerned by the sheer numbers expected at the event, which could bring infected travelers who may not show signs of the virus.

“There are still too many unknowns with this virus for anyone not to take extreme precautionary measures,” Lee said in an email. “Holding this event is highly irresponsible.”

Follow Jervis on Twitter: @MrRJervis.