- At some locales, lockdowns are being eased.
- However, people might be getting the signalling wrong. They think it is an 'all clear' when what the authorities mean is 'go save the economy'.
- One can already see crowds at eateries chatting away animatedly and lingering at tables, just like the pre-bugzilla days.
- When they should be taking extra precautions because bugzilla is still lurking around looking for easy marks.
- Think of it like a village where, because of a severe blizzard, the elders had forbidden folks from venturing out. But as food stocks run low, permission is granted to go gather food and firewood.
- The signal is not the blizzard is over but to wear extra clothing and to take extra precautions.
- To keep bugzilla at bay, relaxation of lockdowns is best balanced with increased circumspection and vigilance.
Case Study
- Abundance 360 2021 was a tech event that ran from Jan 24-26 at Culver City, CA, USA.
- The event was intended to be virtual but, due to demand, it allowed some audience to attend live.
- Audience and staff, which totalled 80, were multi-tested before and during the event and were found negative.
- The organisers did not mandate mask wearing during sessions, only between sessions.
- Post event, 24 audience members and staff came down with the virus.
- The 35 member AV crew who did wear masks throughout was unaffected.