Creators and publishers who are set to appear in this month's Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC) are cancelling their plans for the convention as more cases of coronavirus infections have been identified and reported in the Washington state.
ECCC is set to take place on March 12-15. According to the Washington State Department of Health, another death was confirmed in King County, bringing the total statewide death toll to 10. Reed Exhibitions, the owner and organizer of ECCC released a public statement explaining that while the convention is still planned to take place, all congoers are strongly encouraged to follow the CDC's common-sense public health recommendations such as covering their mouths when coughing and sneezing, and washing their hands.
"We are following local, state and federal public health advice closely," the statement said. "We have also contacted our venue partners and are coordinating closely with them to ensure that they are acting in accordance with the advice of public health authorities and that information is available to our customers about the precautions being taken by the venue related to the COVID-19 virus."
Soon after Reed issued a statement, major publishers such as Dark Horse Comics, DC Entertainment, and Penguin Random House all announced that they're cancelling their ECCC appearances as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of their employees. Bookstore Bard's Tower also announced that they're cancelling the appearances of fantasy and science fiction authors, including Dresden Files author Jim Butcher, New York Times Bestseller and master of alternate history Eric Flint, Star Trek Next Generation luminary and author Melinda Snodgrass, and several others.
Other high profile creators who previously planned to be in ECCC expressed their concerns and took to social media to announce their intentions to cancel their convention appearances as well.
The Emerald City Comic Con takes place at the Washington Convention Center on March 12-15.
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