We have all been hearing a lot about the recent Coronavirus epidemic happening in China and quickly making its way around the world. With the death tolls and infections rising, what does this mean for festival season 2020?
What is the Coronavirus?
The Coronavirus is the same virus that causes the common cold. However, this current strain of the virus that is causing so many fatalities has feet attached to the viral particle that hook onto the hosts lungs, replicating and causing pneumonia type symptoms including shortness of breath and cough.
We do not have a cure and treatment is supportive with fluids and oxygen. With proper supportive care, most people can fight off the infection if their immune system is intact.
How to Avoid Getting It
Coronavirus is spread directly. Meaning the virus has to enter the hosts respiratory tract through the nose. You can protect yourself by washing your hands frequently and not touching your face. Avoid contact with anyone that looks sick and if you are coughing, please wear a face mask to contain your projectile cough and sneeze.
Wearing a face mask if you’re healthy is great for stopping yourself from touching your face, but the virus will still enter if you are coughed on. Unless you’re wearing a medical grade mask with a seal.
How Will This Affect Festival Season?
Music festivals bring about a huge international audience. There is a good chance that infected fans will bring the virus with them to these festivals and likely continue to spread the infection.
If you are taking any medications that cause decreased immune function or if you have any medical conditions that lower your immunity, you may consider being extra cautious and avoid flying or attending mass gatherings such as music festivals.
For the general young healthy party goer, you should be extra cautious but understand that this virus does not have a high mortality with proper supportive care. Have fun, but practice good hygiene and please quarantine if you believe you may be infected.
We do not anticipate any festivals to be cancelled due to the virus. However, you never know.
UPDATE March 5, 2020
Ultra Miami has been cancelled along with several other major festivals including Tomorrowland Winter in France. We are afraid this might be just the beginning as fears spread and the virus continues to cross state lines.
