San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
GOING VIRTUAL FOR SECOND YEAR
Did Comic-con make the right call canceling its in-person event? Our panelists weigh in.
ECONOMISTS NO
Organizers are understandably reluctant to invest resources and expenses for an event that may end up canceled in 2021, especially given the volatile state of California governance. However, they are endangering interest and prestige not moving forward this year and delaying another 1 ⁄2 years. Comic-con will miss out on
1 an eager public ready to move beyond the shutdown and anxious for reopening. They risk waning interest and losing the monumental cachet it has in San Diego.
YES
This kind of event requires a huge amount of advance planning and commitment. We’re certainly all hoping that the situation will continue to improve, and there is solid basis for that hope. But it’s not a guarantee. Even after you’ve received the vaccine, we need to exercise caution until we’re sure that this is all behind us. Let’s hope for a great Comic-con and many other events in 2022!
NO
The tourism industry desperately needs a shot in the arm. As we inch toward less restrictive tiers, Comic-con could have held a scaled-back, in-person event in July. The decision to cancel the event and avoid liability is understandable from a business perspective, as state restrictions and lack of vaccine appointments continue to persist, and many Comic-con attendees likely fall in the last group eligible en masse for the vaccine.
YES
The complexity of staging this 135,000-person event probably required an early decision. Risks must have exceeded the $25 million estimated revenue loss that Comic-con could have generated. Those risks include actual vaccine distribution, new virus mutants, public resistance to vaccination, foreign travel restrictions, and California regulations. President Biden has predicted safety only for small group gatherings by July 4th. Postponing to a smaller November event ultimately was deemed to be a more prudent and responsible approach.
EXECUTIVES YES
Even with increased vaccinations, the effectiveness of curbing COVID-19 (and variants) bears watching through summer at a minimum. The large crowd associated with Comic-con — including international attendees — has multiple risks. Ranking highest is attendees not being vaccinated, and points of travel origin, unknown exposure factors and the prospect of infecting San Diegans are further risks avoided with event cancellation. The economic loss is challenging, however, San Diego cannot risk a further setback.
YES
With vaccine administration accelerating, we will experience a new chapter of inconsistent requirements and enforcement as businesses, events, public spaces reopen. I’m not sure a “right call” exists in such uncertainty. Comic-con is a fantastic event for the city but thrives on the buzz of large crowds. Given the situation (uncertain vaccination adoption, possible new strains, etc.), and imperfect solutions (requiring proof of vaccination), the organizers made a prudent decision with limited data.
NO
Comic-con could have had capacity constraints as done at Disney World when they reopened at 25 percent capacity and then moved to 35 percent without impacting 6-foot distancing protocols. The event impacts tax revenues, hotel, restaurant, retail, and transportation revenues and provides a much-needed spark to downtown. Keep in mind, if all Americans were to be vaccinated by the end of May, it makes no sense to cancel or even reduce capacities.
YES
While the president has called for enough vaccine for all U.S. citizens by May, we don’t yet know whether that can be accomplished nor if enough people will get the vaccination to get to herd immunity in time for a summer event. And we still have variants to deal with. Unlike the cautious openings permitted now with some level of social distancing and mask-wearing, it would be extremely difficult for Comic-con to manage such measures.