Germany's Oktoberfest scrapped over virus in blow to beer industry

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: AFP

Bavaria on Tuesday cancelled the iconic Oktoberfest for the first time since World War II dealing a fresh blow to Germany's beer industry already hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

The event, which takes place annually from late September to October, was expected to draw six million visitors, but it would be too dangerous "as long as there is no vaccine", Bavaria state premier Markus Soeder said.

Even with masks and social distancing, the threat of contagion was too high.

"Living with the coronavirus means living carefully," he said.



Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/germanys-oktoberfest-scrapped-over-virus-in-blow-to-beer-industry/ar-BB12Yc7e

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Oh no

[AtheistCrusader]

1. That's a bummer. As much of a bummer as it is, watch Merkel and Steinmeyer's approval rating hold

steady.

Because they're LEADERS.

[Newest Reality]

2. More blows to beer drinkers.

There will be severe CO2 shortages. Beer is in trouble.

I don't know if Europe is having the same problem, but we are looking at drastic decreases in supply and that applies to water treatment and other industries that use CO2.

[NellieStarbuck]

3. Oh, no!

Beer is what has made this whole quarantine tolerable thus far.

[Newest Reality]

4. Oh.

Well, you have my empathy.

It might be a good time to start your early panic buying then, before word gets around about that. You know how that panic makes any shortages even worse, or even creates them by way of implication.

[HarlanPepper]

9. Unless the poster has some source take it with a grain of salt

Lots of pop up epidemiologists, economists etc. roaming around. Every one of them thinks they have some kind of special insight.

[SunSeeker]

5. They have no choice. It would be a disaster otherwise.

I've attended Oktoberfest. It is impossible to do social distancing in the beer halls. Plus the singing aerosolizes it, spreading it even more efficiently. That's why churches are such superspreaders.

[a la izquierda]

7. I'm happy I went to Munich for Oktoberfest last year.

I wanted to go this year, but I'll just be happy if I can see my partner by July (we've been separated since December as he's home in England and I'm stuck in the US).
This sucks all around.

[BigmanPigman]

6. Smart move! Prepare people NOW,

give them time to adjust and prepare both financially, mentally etc. I wish leaders around the world would do the same for future mass gatherings. The 1918 pandemic had three waves and most people died in the second one, which hit in Sept (Autumn)....flu season.

[EarthFirst]

8. How does Oktoberfest work with a mask anyhow?

I’ve yet to work out the mechanics myself...

[Sir Normie]

10. I Mourn

[Wolf Frankula]

11. It was last cancelled during WW2

They're at war with the virus. If it has to be cancelled, then cancel it.

Wolf

[Steelrolled]

12. Given how the virus hops around

they really had no choice. And of course, group chugs would be out of the question.