Organizers of the Waste Management Symposia in Phoenix are still holding the annual gathering next week despite public concerns over coronavirus (COVID-19), a spokeswoman said this morning.
After a Monday meeting of the WMS executive management team, the decision was made to go ahead with the event – with added precautions to safeguard the health of participants, spokeswoman Jan Carlin said in a telephone message.
A letter is expected to go out to participants and exhibitors today detailing the extra safeguards for this year’s event, she added.
An industry source with some knowledge of the WMS deliberations said some international participants from parts of Asia for example, will not be attending.
The current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first reported from Wuhan, China, on Dec. 31, according to the World Health Organization website.
The malady is still affecting mostly people in China with some outbreaks in other countries. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. As of Tuesday morning, more than 100 U.S. cases, including six fatalities have been reported, according to USA Today.
A number of major conferences and conventions have been cancelled in the United States, but many others are going forward. Health officials advises regular hand-washing and avoiding contact with people who display flu-like symptoms.
The annual WM Symposia typically attracts thousands to Phoenix and is considered the largest international conference for the management of radioactive material and related topics. Following some preliminary weekend events, the technical program itself kicks off Monday and runs through Thursday.
The gathering typically includes major speakers from nuclear contractors as well as Energy Department, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Canadian nuclear agencies, and other nations.
