Computex 2020 in Jeopardy as Taiwan Bans All Foreign Visitors

[btarunr]

The Taiwan (ROC) Government announced a ban on the entry of all foreign visitors into the country until further notice. The ban takes effect from Thursday, March 19, in the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic that has claimed thousands of lives worldwide. All foreign arrivals already on their way will be placed in a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Exceptions to the ban include ARC (alien resident certificate) holders, diplomatic passport holders, and businesspersons with special entry permits issued by the government (these are not the same as business visas), although even these persons must subject themselves to the quarantine. The ban is expected to force most commercial airlines to reduce or suspend their services to the country. The travel ban to Taiwan puts Computex 2020 in jeopardy. Although held in June, preparations for the show typically begin as early as April, with foreign exhibitors preparing to import their exhibits, organizing their booths, arranging logistics, etc.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[R0H1T]

You can add any number of other trade/tech/auto/entertainment shows over the next quarter or two to the list. This thing will spread like wildfire & do the tourism industry world over a good number for years to come!

 

[erocker]

At this point, until there's a vaccine and/or cure, everything is pretty much cancelled.

 

[lexluthermiester]

This is manufactured panic and over-reaction, just like everywhere else. Effectively governments using their heads for a seat cushion. Asinine craziness on every level.

 

[TheLostSwede]

At this point, until there's a vaccine and/or cure, everything is pretty much cancelled.

The Olympics are still on...

 

[cellar door]

This is manufactured panic and over-reaction, just like everywhere else. Effectively governments using their heads for a seat cushion. Asinine craziness on every level.

There is a reason why 'experts' like you are not in charge but instead post uneducated troll comments, looking for attention.

 

[r.h.p]

god damn it, someone has to be blamed!! I want my new Radeon 5800XT Navi 22 !! ( joke)

good choice for quarantine ...

 

[Baum]

it is no overreaction as long as all the data comes from china and there is no cure/vacc for the virus

stop the spread of it NOW it is already very late for everything else!

If you look back it just shows that money rules the world and no one cares for lives/people.... just frustrating that humanity ins't further advanced than this

 

[Vayra86]

This is manufactured panic and over-reaction, just like everywhere else. Effectively governments using their heads for a seat cushion. Asinine craziness on every level.

Well it does seem herd immunity is going to be the only mid-term solution, virologists far and wide are reaching consensus that a 6 month (at the very least!) period of no big public events is going to be necessary to make a dent. Probably longer.

Start business as usual in a few months and all you get is a repeat of this whole ordeal come Fall.

I'm not sure what news you read, but the US is next in line, infection rate is exploding as we speak. Just you wait... I recognize your thoughts... that was me a few weeks ago when I was skiing in N-Italy on virtually emptied slopes...

 

[lexluthermiester]

I'm not sure what news you read, but the US is next in line, infection rate is exploding as we speak. Just you wait...

And? It's not the end of the world and isolation is not the answer.

 

[Vayra86]

And? It's not the end of the world and isolation is not the answer.

I agree. But dampening the pressure on health care certainly is, and isolation > controlled exposure is a means to that.

These big events are most certainly not controlled.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I agree. But dampening the pressure on health care certainly is, and isolation > controlled exposure is a means to that.

These big events are most certainly not controlled.

But they can be easily controlled. Masks, gloves, teaching proper personal sanitation methods are all that is needed to rope this in, that and letting it run it's course. This isn't an "end of the world" virus. It's just another in a long series of illnesses that nature has inflicted upon us. It too shall pass. Many will get sick, most will recover, a few will die. This is human life, as it always has been. This is not a reason to panic and cancel "all the things".

 

[Vayra86]

But they can be easily controlled. Masks, gloves, teaching proper personal sanitation methods are all that is needed to rope this in, that and letting it run it's course. This isn't an "end of the world" virus. It's just another in a long series of illnesses that nature has inflicted upon us. It too shall pass. Many will get sick, most will recover, a few will die. This is human life, as it always has been. This is not a reason to panic and cancel "all the things".

All the things... are not unnecessary public events like these. I think that is very clear. There are no total lockdowns anywhere. There is a strong reduction of public and social life, not a full quarantine. I think the response is measured and gradual as the situation develops, and not an overreaction at all. If anything the response has been too late, that is why we are where we are.

All of what you're saying still happens. Many get sick, some will die. Even with these measures. Uncontrolled spread means we will be living this for many years.

Keep in mind you're saying all of this in a topic about fully irrelevant COMPUTEX.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Uncontrolled spread means we will be living this for many years.

You don't seem to understand. This isn't a bacteria that can be killed off. COVID19 is a virus, one that started in nature and spread to us. This is with us for the long haul. We are not getting rid of it. And we don't need to.

Keep in mind you're saying all of this in a topic about fully irrelevant COMPUTEX.

However, it's at risk of being canceled because of the boarder closures, which is a direct result of COVID19.

 

[Vayra86]

You don't seem to understand. This isn't a bacteria that can be killed off. COVID19 is a virus, one that started in nature and spread to us. This is with us for the long haul. We are not getting rid of it. And we don't need to.

Nah, it is you who is missing context completely here. 'Living this' is living the current measures taken far and wide. There is only a choice here between an exploding death toll because healthcare is understaffed and a constantly resurging spread, or controlled exposure where we slowly start picking up things we used to do in public.

And the latter is the reason these big events are and will remain cancelled for the foreseeable future. You may think its an overreaction, the rest of the world really doesn't care. Never did I say we would get rid of it... nobody did.

 

[Lionheart]

There is a reason why 'experts' like you are not in charge but instead post uneducated troll comments, looking for attention.

And people like you who stick other people under labels & categories because someone thinks differently??? How dare they.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Nah, it is you who is missing context completely here.

Another instance of agreeing to disagree.

 

[Vayra86]

Another instance of agreeing to disagree.

Nah, another instance of ignorance from your end. Its not new and you're doing the usual tip toeing around a reality you dont like, chalking it off to 'that's your opinion'... No, sir, it is not MY opinion alone; as so often, the numbers don't lie.

Its pretty annoying, but I'm moving on.

However, it's at risk of being canceled because of the boarder closures, which is a direct result of COVID19.

Correct... to which you say this is an overreaction and the overwhelming majority disagrees with you for obvious reasons. Glad we've come full circle.

There is a reason why 'experts' like you are not in charge but instead post uneducated troll comments, looking for attention.

You say this, but Trump proves you wrong on almost a daily basis. He's not only in charge, but also trolling.

 

[kapone32]

The Fallout from closures like these will be far reaching and the world economy will suffer as a result.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Nah, another instance of ignorance from your end. Its not new and you're doing the usual tip toeing around a reality you dont like

There is no need for the childish insults. Rope it in.

 

[hat]

You don't seem to understand. This isn't a bacteria that can be killed off. COVID19 is a virus, one that started in nature and spread to us. This is with us for the long haul. We are not getting rid of it. And we don't need to.

A virus can be killed just like bacteria... however they are even simpler than bacteria and they evolve/mutate faster. We're stuck with this until either a vaccine is ready to be given en masse, or enough people catch it and build immunity that it doesn't matter anymore... then we'll just need a vaccine for round 2.

 

[lilunxm12]

in the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic that has claimed tens of thousands of lives worldwide

I believe the worldwide death toll hasn't reached ten thousand yet.

 

[Vayra86]

Just to make this clearer for the few who don't seem to / want to understand. This is a reliable count: Deaths per million inhabitants.

Italy, where the healthcare system got overwhelmed, is at 41,4 deaths per million. Spain is rapidly spiralling down into a somewhat similar situation but also has a high relative amount of elderly.
That bunch of countries on the bottom there, where every measure is taken to flatten the peak in healthcare demands... are circling around 2-4 deaths per million.

I think this makes it abundantly clear why Computex is not happening and why that is not 'overreacting' as mentioned. Trade show versus 10x the death count... hmm yeah hard choice indeed.

 

[lexluthermiester]

A virus can be killed just like bacteria... however they are even simpler than bacteria and they evolve/mutate faster. We're stuck with this until either a vaccine is ready to be given en masse, or enough people catch it and build immunity that it doesn't matter anymore... then we'll just need a vaccine for round 2.

It's not as simple as that, but you make a solid point.

I believe the worldwide death toll hasn't reached ten thousand yet.

And you would be correct at the current moment.

Italy, where the healthcare system got overwhelmed, is at 41,4 deaths per million.

Italy is an outlier. The healthcare system of China, India and several other nations were equally or even more overwhelmed and China is declaring it under control. Italy is unique for some reason that has not been identified yet. Until that reason has been identified, we can not arrive at a lucid conclusion. Therefore, the numbers you are citing can not be taken at face value. The morality rates for this new virus are not severe and do not warrant the reaction displayed and actions being taken by governments and organizations worldwide.

 

[Vayra86]

Italy is unique for some reason that has not been identified yet

The reason is identified, already was days ago, the healthcare system got overwhelmed and Italy also hospitalized many with symptoms but not severe ones. MIsmanagement, even though nobody dares say the word, is what happened here. First the awareness was too low, then people got into panic mode and all went to doctors and got redirected happily to hospitals. Italy has some of the best quality healthcare in the world... but some of the worst management on a national level. Hell the country is renowned for its mismanagement. Remember this?

What caused the Genoa bridge collapse – and the end of an Italian national myth?

The Morandi bridge tragedy killed 43 and left 600 homeless – but also dealt a hammer blow to Italy’s engineering legacy

www.theguardian.com

Now obviously you won't be reading this honesty in international press right now. Its not exactly the nicest thing to say. But just you wait...

And for your take on things, this 'uncertainty' does not excuse you or support your reasoning. Because there isn't an uncertainty there. I call it grasping at straws. Its extremely obvious what the effects are of the differing approaches of different countries and there is a marked difference in effectiveness of each one. Note; the US is already too late and will likely move up towards Spain at the very least.