5 Years Ago: Covid Shut Down SXSW in Texas

Its time to start looking back at 2020 to mark the 5th anniversary of when the world was shut down. For many, the seriousness started on this weekend 5 years ago, with the cancellation of South by Southwest (SXSW). This early shutdown stands as a stark marker of the pandemic's early impact. It was a moment when the abstract threat of COVID-19 became a tangible disruption, a harbinger of the widespread changes to come.

In the preceding years, SXSW had become a behemoth, drawing over 400,000 attendees to Austin, Texas. It was a vibrant hub for arts, technology, and culture, a symbol of innovation and connection. The sheer scale of the event, however, became its vulnerability.

The decision to cancel, made by the City of Austin, and Mayor Steve Adler. It reflected a growing awareness of the virus's potential. This was a moment when preventative measures, though disruptive, were deemed essential.

The release from SXSW read:

“We are devastated to share this news with you. The show must go on’ is in our DNA, and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place. We are now working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation.”

The statement released by SXSW conveyed the profound sense of loss and the unprecedented nature of the situation. The phrase "working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation" would echo through the next 2 years of disruption, destruction, and delay.

This cancellation of SXSW served as a pivotal moment, a warning for businesses and events. It highlighted the fragility of large-scale gatherings and the power of prioritizing public health over all else. It also marked the beginning of a period of rapid adaptation, as organizers and attendees alike grappled with the implications of a world transformed.

In hindsight, we have countless studies that challenge the effectiveness of the long-term shutdowns and "social distancing" that remained in place. Initially pitched as "2 Weeks to Flatten the Curve" and President Donald Trump's "15 Days to Slow the Spread" morphed into a power struggle to see who could keep things shut down longer.

At the end of the pandemic, the evidence was clear: healthy adults and children faced more harm from social distancing and prolonged shutdowns than any positive health outcomes from not getting COVID early. But on this weekend 5-years-ago, SXSW didn't know that.