E3 2009 to Go On Despite Swine Flu Fears
Tristan Oliver | April 30, 2009
Organizers Working with Public Health Officials
You’ve by now heard the meat of the story; concerns are growing that the H1N1 flu virus–better known as the swine flu, though in actuality a mix of swine, avian, and human influenza– could become a global health pandemic. In North America, Scotland, and in bits and pieces elsewhere around the world, the virus is spreading from human to human, and in Mexico, a more severe outbreak of the virus has killed dozens and sickened thousands near Mexico City.
It is the spread of that more powerful strain that has public health officials worried. In areas where children are becoming ill, schools are closed as a precaution, and travelers are being urged to hold off trips to affected areas. The world could be seeing a mere taste of what’s to come, and the timing of it all could not be worse for organizers of the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo, who had planned to bring the expo back to its former grand status this year–meaning huge crowds, and endless potential for infection should the virus not be contained come June.
But, so far, the Electronic Software Association, who runs the expo, is not concerned.
Speaking to Joystiq, ESA spokesman Dan Hewitt said:
The 2009 E3 Expo is progressing as planned. Public health officials are taking all appropriate steps and we continue to follow their direction on all measures. We look forward to a great event, and to seeing you in Los Angeles in June.
So it’s all calm and all systems go for the expo, which will be underway in just over a month, from June 2nd to the 4th. But as the flu concerns evolve, anything could change. Do you think if the swine flu situation gets worse that E3 itself could find itself impacted? Tell us your thoughts in the comment box below.
Filed Under E3 2009, Gaming News, Hot Topics
I’m the 8th voter, and I’m the only one who voted “unsure”.
Boy.
Is.
This.
Em.
BARRASSING.
…wierd
Meh, they will talk about this for a while now beacuse it’s not something new and intresting they can write about.
The newspaper her their I live is like this: The Swein Flu is comming to Sweden!!!!!!!
Bullshit.
Geez, will people give it a rest? That kid probably died because he came from mexico where they don’t have efficient meds to take control of the fever or other symptoms he had. E3 should be just fine and we should just go on about our lives, but washing hands more often and taking precautions is logical.
Also, there isn’t going to any Sonic related news, is there? If not, I guess we’ll hear about the next big Sonic game next year.
[...] much of the gaming press, including us, reported on the concern surrounding E3’s viability in the heat of a possible H1N1 or [...]
[...] in April, fears of spreading the swine flu, or H1N1, had not necessarily changed plans for this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, but it did impact the attendance of some big [...]