The future of The Woodworking Shows

IWF, not a chance

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

I had expected to go to IWF this year. I am not adverse to reasonable risk. Unlike many I have shopped in person and have been out and about all along. But, 30,000 people from all over packed in a convention center. Is this situation not exactly what has been shown to result in an outbreak of the virus? Well, the answer is yes.

I have been keeping up with the scientific literature on the spread of the virus. Learning how it spreads is the key to living as normal a life as reasonable, at minimal risk. Close and prolonged contact is by far the major means of propagation. Contact tracing has revealed few out door, casual or surface transmissions. Massive propagation is regularly linked to massive public gatherings.

Ditto...

David Weaver

..the mrs. was upset early on that I discounted transmission by touching and walking around someone outside. Each outbreak case had two things in common:

* groups of people in a confined space

* the more ill the folks were in the confined space, the worse the outcome for anyone else who came in contact

The latter likely due to viral concentration. There was a chinese study that documented time to the lungs for someone who managed only minor contact in the nose or mouth (6 days) and the conclusion gathered from it (either stated or inferred - can't recall) was in keeping with above - getting a bunch in your lungs first is bad.

The social distancing rules (6 feet) are a simple rule, but they don't work well in terms of accounting for people sucking in latent air with virus in it. Huge groups of people from all areas walking around in big buildings at IWF would be bad, and at this point, probably uninsurable.

(the CDC has now come out with commentary about touch contact being less likely for transmission).

Re: The future of The Woodworking Shows

North of the Border

August?! You've got to be kidding me (even if we could fly normal). On this side, we have had far fewer deaths and infections, but all shows, festivals and concerts of any kinds are pretty much done this year. Good luck to anyone over 60 going.

Re: The future of The Woodworking Shows

Jim in Burlington

Same here in southern Ontario, everything is essentially subject to what is sensible in terms of public gatherings and what is allowed.

I'll be avoiding large public gatherings for at least another year.... my terms

Take care Jim