It won't always be like this.
Billions of dollars worldwide are pouring into research (Canada allocated $1 billion Wednesday and the USA freed up $50 billion today), and there's heartening news that new case numbers have slowed in several Asian countries.
But right now, the impact of coronavirus continues to unfold. And locally, that means social distancing, empty shelves in the disinfectant and curiously the toilet paper aisles, and the cancelation or postponement of big-time events.
The latest news from the South Okanagan Events Centre includes the postponement of the March 27th Gord Bamford #Rednek Music Fest, the April 19th Alice Cooper show, and the March 20th to 22nd Okanagan Valley Throwdown, and the suspension of the April 17th to 19th Okanagan Fest of Ale.
According to the SOEC website, the tour dates for all Bamford shows in March and April have been postponed. "All dates will be rescheduled and updates will come soon. Tickets for the original show dates will be honoured for the new dates. If fans cannot make the new date once announced, refunds will be made available."
As for Mr. Cooper (Vincent Furnier to his buddies), the entire ghoulish tour is being tentatively bumped to the fall. "The itinerary will be announced as soon as possible. Fans are encouraged to hold onto their tickets at this time. If fans cannot make the new date once announced, refunds will be made available."
The crazy popular Fest of Ale, meanwhile, is taking a different tack. According to the SOEC website, "At this time, the board of directors of the Okanagan Fest of Ale are considering all options and will be making an announcement on Monday, March 16, 2020 as to the status of this year's event."
And then there's the Okanagan Valley Throwdown, originally set for next weekend at the Trade and Convention Centre. According to Mike Hill, who with wife Lyndie created the body-busting spectacle nine years ago, postponing it was the only option.
"It's just an extremely trying time," said Hill. "We're doing our best to navigate and honour the fact that we're going to put this event on. We just don't know when yet."
"We're working with the venues and trying to communicate with the athletes, and we'll share information as we have it. It's the only responsible thing to do."
Hill has no word yet on other upcoming Hoodoo-backed events such as Expedition Race Canada and Penticton Beer Run, both scheduled for June.
"We can't think too much more forward than a few hours, unfortunately," he said. "Yesterday, we had to rewrite the email to the participants three times because by the time we'd simply redrafted it, there was a new government update."
