A few days ago, Sony announced that she would not be present at the Boston Pax East this year due to the fears aroused by the Coronavirus. Regarding the decision, Sony published on his official blog, declaring, _ “ _ We thought it was the safest option, because the situation changes daily. We are disappointed to cancel our participation in this event, but the health and security of our world workforce is our greatest concern. ” However, Marty Walsh, mayor of Boston, sent a letter to the president of Sony, urging to reconsider the withdrawal of Pax East.
In addition to the low presence of coronavirus in Boston, Walsh declares that these exaggerated fears have fueled anti-Chinese and anti-Asian feelings not only in Boston but in America as a whole. It is reported that, from the epidemic, most Chinese companies in Boston have undergone income losses above 50%.
In his letter, he wrote: “_Ces fears strengthen the harmful stereotypes that generations of Asians have worked hard to dismantle. They trigger our worst pulses: see whole groups of people with suspicion, we close and miss out on the opportunities and connections that our world city offers. Boston is united in his efforts to dissipate these harmful and maladed fears.
Currently, the only confirmed case of Coronavirus was found in a UMASS student who had contracted the virus during his visit to Wuhan. He has been kept in quarantine at his home since last month without any sign of transmission of the virus to someone else.
Finally, Walsh added: In as long as large international business, you have the opportunity to give a good example. As a leader in technology, you can show that you are motivated by the facts and not by fear. As a leader in games and culture, you can show that you believe in connection and not in isolation. »
What do you think? Is Sony a little too paranoid about the coronavirus? Or do they make the right decision by withdrawing from Pax?