Microsoft has pulled the plug on Build 2020, its developer conference. At least as a physical event. Instead, it will be online-only, following other major cancellations around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Getting people in from all over the world is probably a bad idea right now and even though May is still a couple of months away, Microsoft is playing this one safe. Interesting times, eh?

A Microsoft spokesperson, talking to The Verge, said:

The safety of our community is a top priority. In light of the health safety recommendations for Washington State, we will deliver our annual Microsoft Build event for developers as a digital event, in lieu of an in-person event. 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.

Build 2020 is going to be especially interesting because of the upcoming dual screen Surface Neo and Duo, launched late last year.

The Verge article goes on to chat about such event cancellations:

Doing so is an important step in improving public health and stemming the spread of the coronavirus, as Nicole Wetsman explains:

Applying social distancing measures to the extent the system allows, though, is the best defense against the spread of the novel coronavirus, particularly without vaccines or treatments available. The goal isn’t to eliminate the disease entirely, but to keep cases from appearing all at once. During a pandemic, that can mean the difference between a severe outbreak and one that’s more manageable.

All a little sad for the developers who had already booked flights and hotels, and also because they wont be able to bounce ideas off each other in person at the event.

Oh well.