Microsoft Build Conference is the company biggest news event that is held annually, despite being primarily focused on developers. The software maker typically uses the conference to preview the latest changes to Windows, Office, and other software and services.
In 2020, Microsoft is planning on disclosing more about its dual-screen plans, for both Android and Windows 10X, among others.
But due to the coronavirus fear, the company doesn't want to hold the 2020 event in Seattle from May 19th to May 21st as previously planned. Instead, the company decided to make it a “digital event.”
A Microsoft spokesperson said that:
"We look forward to bringing together our ecosystem of developers in this new virtual format to learn, connect and code together. Stay tuned for more details to come."
Microsoft’s Build developer conference is just another tech event affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Microsoft’s cancellation follows Google’s move to cancel its own I/O developer event, Facebook in canceling its F8 conference, GSMA in canceling its MWC event, among many others.
Doing so is an important step in improving public health and stemming the spread of the coronavirus.
By preventing mass number of people to gather in one place, companies can help prevent the spread of the disease. Applying social distancing measures is one of the best defense against the spread of the novel coronavirus, that until this date, has yet to have a proper cure.
The goal isn’t to eliminate the disease entirely, but to keep cases from appearing all at once.
Microsoft has also asked its Seattle and California-based employees to work from home, at least until March 25.
The first confirmed case in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020.
By March 12, 2020, diagnosed cases of the novel COVID-19 in the country exceeded 1,000. At the time, out of the 40 deaths, 31 occurred in Washington, with 13 of those at a nursing home. Cases have been confirmed in 49 out of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Responses to the outbreak have included prohibitions and cancellation of large-scale gatherings.
And not just events, as many educational institutions, trade shows, conventions, music festivals, sporting games and leagues in the U.S. have also been canceled.
The measure intensified after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak to be a pandemic.