Officials organizing a music festival called COVID Herd Immunity Fest in Wisconsin changed the name this week after public backlash.
The event, scheduled for three days in July, is expected to feature 15 bands, one of which pulled out, citing concerns about the name.
Organizers said the venue for the event is outdoors, and they are selling tickets with social distancing in mind as they also acknowledged the change in name.
“For the record the venues land can accommodate up to 10,000 occupancy,” organizers wrote on Facebook. “This is an OUTDOOR EVENT for 3 Days. We are only selling 20% of that so anyone has the choice and ability to social distance. The Festival is also not called ‘Herd Immunity’ and the name no longer tied to any of our social media or promotion.”
The event has been renamed July Mini Fest. CNN reported there had been a “wave of backlash” on social media to the original name.
Still, health officials in Wisconsin worry the festival could spread the coronavirus, which has already infected more than 26,000 Wisconsinites. Madison County Health Department public information officer Judy Burrows told CNN the priority of health officials is to limit the size of public gatherings.
“The Health Department is in communication with County leaders and the Organizers to discuss what is allowed by county policy,” Burrows said. “We discourage any mass gathering or events because of the risk of spread of COVID.”
It is not illegal to hold a public gathering in Wisconsin after the state’s Supreme Court ruled on May 13 against a decision by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to extend a stay-at-home order meant to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
