tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13869903.post1542275750817198124..comments2024-03-28T04:15:44.459-05:00Comments on nanoscale views: APS March Meeting cancelledDouglas Natelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13340091255404229559noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13869903.post-14707285330973661332020-03-02T22:01:03.420-06:002020-03-02T22:01:03.420-06:00I think the cancellation was a socially responsibl...I think the cancellation was a socially responsible decision. The fatality rate likely depends on the ability of the healthcare system to cope, and by helping to slow the spread, lives can be saved by making sure that hospitals have enough space, staff and equipment to aggressively support the critically ill. atyyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12229590335815366421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13869903.post-83623533648169454162020-03-02T15:38:20.930-06:002020-03-02T15:38:20.930-06:00Yes, lots of IEEE cancellations too, but at least ...Yes, lots of IEEE cancellations too, but at least they did that sufficiently in advance. <br /><br />As Doug's last comment from Dept. of Public Health shows - We all have to thank the very stable genius for his excellent strategic planning and thoughtfulness in managing America through the risk (which has been known for months, and quite expected).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13869903.post-79231212929396298332020-03-02T13:44:11.124-06:002020-03-02T13:44:11.124-06:00Clearly everyone would have been happier if they&#...Clearly everyone would have been happier if they'd made the decision earlier. I am told that "The Colorado Department of Public Health replied to the APS Meetings Department this morning [Monday, March 2] concerning its (Saturday) query about holding the March Meeting. An epidemiologist responded that there were no provisions at airports to manage travelers who came in from afflicted countries, and none in place to screen them when they came into Denver, so the meeting would have been at (greater) risk." Douglas Natelsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13340091255404229559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13869903.post-40545291205594124212020-03-02T13:24:12.018-06:002020-03-02T13:24:12.018-06:00I and my colleagues and students were already in D...I and my colleagues and students were already in Denver. People were arriving at our hotel from Germany, Israel etc. I had to spend a fortune on flights home. I think the decision was a bad one, but most importantly if they'd just announced it one or two days earlier it would have been far less of a disaster. I guess the APS is kind of like a slime mold without a proper nervous system, so this is typical, but it's just insane anyway!DaveChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06275342568564790792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13869903.post-771867990723894972020-03-01T06:00:11.396-06:002020-03-01T06:00:11.396-06:00Yep, typical APS. Indecision until it is too late....Yep, typical APS. Indecision until it is too late.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13869903.post-72770340685074552332020-03-01T00:33:55.189-06:002020-03-01T00:33:55.189-06:00Updated email: More Information on 2020 APS March ...Updated email: More Information on 2020 APS March Meeting Cancellation<br /><br />"It is with deep regret that we are informing you of the cancellation of the 2020 APS March Meeting in Denver, Colorado. APS leadership has been monitoring the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) constantly. The decision to cancel was based on the latest scientific data being reported, and the fact that a large number of attendees at this meeting are coming from outside the US, including countries where the CDC upgraded its warning to level 3 as recently as Saturday, February 29.<br /><br />Please wait for APS staff to be in touch with you in order to arrange for a full refund of your registration fees. The situation with hotels is more complicated, and we ask your forbearance as APS looks into what is possible regarding hotel cancellation fees. Please check the March Meeting website in several days or a week for further information.<br /><br />We recognize that the timing of this decision has significantly inconvenienced many of you. However, this decision was made out of deep concern for the health and well-being of our registrants, staff, vendors, and the Denver community."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13869903.post-33043249903838609332020-02-29T23:24:21.047-06:002020-02-29T23:24:21.047-06:00Must have been a hard decision for the APS organiz...Must have been a hard decision for the APS organizers, but it's for the best. A lot of attendees are angry about wasted time and money, but they need to realize this infectious disease is a much, much bigger problem than a small physics conference. <br /><br />Welcome to the real world physicists!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13869903.post-51248960842552668322020-02-29T23:08:00.563-06:002020-02-29T23:08:00.563-06:00That's very sudden, but understandable given h...That's very sudden, but understandable given how uncontrollable the situation is. Hopefully there aren't too many international travelers already on their way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13869903.post-39263008215183321872020-02-29T22:28:53.532-06:002020-02-29T22:28:53.532-06:00The closest analog I can think of is that APS did ...The closest analog I can think of is that APS did <i>not</i> cancel the 2010 "April" Meeting, Held Feb 13--16th in Washington DC, which was right after <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_9%E2%80%9310,_2010_North_American_blizzard" rel="nofollow">Snowmageddon: Snoverkill</a>. thmhttp://metcaffeination.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13869903.post-48974950429351326512020-02-29T21:35:24.072-06:002020-02-29T21:35:24.072-06:00Wow, has the March Meeting ever been cancelled out...Wow, has the March Meeting ever been cancelled outright like this before?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com