Quoted from goatdan:

Ok, I run MGC. One week later than Texas. I do t speak for them but...
First, calm down.
We have this stupid leadership vacuum on this issue. We knew it had the possibility to come over here. For whatever reason, we didn't decide to develop tests or whatever until just recently. This gives us terrible data to actually understand what is going on.
There was a great article on the mortality rate from Vox and how it will change. Here's a link to it
https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/2020/3/5/21165973/coronavirus-death-rate-explained
The problem is that our officials keep changing the story. I'm not trying to make a political statement on any way, but Trump handling it by dismissing it as a hoax, by telling people that people with the virus were probably still going to work, and contradicting people right after they share information.
What's frustrating is a lot of what he's saying isn't too far off base, but the way he's saying it allows fear, uncertainty and doubt because if one organization is saying the death rate is super high, and then he's saying it's not but your coworker probably has it and doesn't even know, now in people's heads they go my coworker probably has it and it kills a ton of people! Thus sowing further doubt.
This has left everyone with this weird leadership vacuum right now. The truth is, I don't know the best course of action to keep everyone in Milwaukee safe - nor should I. I organize a show. I rely on medical professionals to help guide things like this, but without their leadership right now, more and more people are asking me what should be done.
I hope, and I assume this is the same for any show, that in the future weeks as our shows approach we get more information from health officials who can tell us what is really going on with the situation. There is a lot of evidence that seems to point to it not being as bad as it is made out to be (see the Vox article above). On the flip side, it could be just beginning and could get significantly worse very quickly..
We should have professionals in the world that can better predict this than I, and I hope their voices are heard more. I do believe and have hope that next week we will start to see actual tests in the US, and that by the end of the week we'll have a lot more information on what is really going on. If so, a couple weeks with the best health care professionals from across the planet working together with decent data will, I believe, allow us to start to get a grip on this.
I would suggest at this point, no one changing their plans unless you feel you would be particularly at-risk
In a week, let's check back in and see what more data there is.
Again, I'm totally not repressing TPF here, but if anyone has any questions for me I can answer as best as possible from the MGC planning side. I am going camping with my son this weekend so I'll only have access once in a while however.

Quoted from CrazyLevi:

What does your brilliant spouse doctor think about large gatherings and pinball tournaments? Does the doc think canceling these large events - conventions, festivals etc - is a good idea or just the press writing off humanity?

Quoted from Skypilot:

So I posed the question you asked to my brilliant doctor wife. Her response was we do not need to close large events. People need to be educated on how to deal with these pandemics/epidemic/call it what you will. Wash your hands don’t touch your face if you’re not feeling Ill ,well stay home. Life needs to go on. She also stated if you have any underlying conditions you should not risk going out into any great public function.She also said we all need to play more Pinball because it’s healthy for us. OK maybe she didn’t say that but I thought I heard It can’t guarantee that is true.

Quoted from Skypilot:

Did I also mention she’s smoking hot.[quoted image]