Omicron Variant Strikes ETHDenver
The ETHDenver developer conference, held from February 11 to 20, witnessed a wave of COVID-19 cases among its attendees, with many reporting symptoms and positive test results following the event. The Omicron variant, known for its rapid spread, was likely the culprit, leading to a sort of unintentional game of who can catch the virus first.
A Conference to Remember (For All the Wrong Reasons)
With over 12,000 attendees from 100 countries, the conference was a major event but turned out to be possibly one of the riskiest gatherings since the pandemic began. Social media lit up post-event with attendees sharing their diagnoses like badges of honor. Unsurprisingly, they were less “We Did It!” and more “Well, that was a mistake.”
“Finally got my first COVID infection courtesy of #ETHDenver”
A Not-So-Strict COVID Policy
ETHDenver had a COVID policy in place, requiring attendees and staff to take a rapid antigen test prior to collecting their badges. However, they didn’t enforce a vaccine mandate, nor did they make masks mandatory in all areas. This led to a situation more akin to a social experiment rather than a health-conscious event.
- No vaccine mandate
- Some locations required masks
- No social distancing measures
The Reality on the Ground
The scene outside the testing venues resembled a line for a popular amusement park ride, minus the fun. Attendees were seen waiting in chilly weather, and many reported that those in masks were a rare sight. Was it a conference or a festival of newfound viruses?
Voices from the Crowd
“None of this is surprising,” noted Andrew Chow, a Time staff writer, who fell victim to the conference’s viral aftermath. “Thousands of people from around the world descended upon a few indoor spaces and proceeded to talk loudly in each other’s faces for hours on end.” Sounds like the perfect equation for a superspreader event, doesn’t it?
Chow and other attendees made light of the situation, joking that ETHDenver 2020 was one of the original superspreader events. Clearly, the 2022 edition provided a much-needed reminder that the pandemic is far from over—no matter how many crypto memes you throw at it.
The Bigger Picture
Despite vaccinations being widely available, the reality remains that large gatherings can lead to increased transmission of COVID-19. The CDC continues to recommend masks in areas of substantial transmission. So next time you’re at a conference, consider if that wall you’re leaning against could be the new wall of shame for COVID-19. Remember folks, it’s better to be safe than to join the long list of ETHDenver’s unintended attendees: the COVID-19 positivity club.
