Will Covid-19 pandemic loom over CES 2022?

After canceling its in-person CES convention for 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Consumer Technology Association is barreling ahead with plans for an in-person CES 2022 show in Las Vegas in January. But will the lingering pandemic be a factor at the annual consumer electronics show?
The upcoming CES, scheduled for Jan. 5-8, also will be available digitally for those unwilling or unable to attend the show in person. That includes people concerned about the spread of Covid. Las Vegas has been a hot spot for transmission of the disease after all.
The recent Paparazzi Accessories conference Celebrate 2021 in Las Vegas turned out to be a deadly super-spreader event for Covid. At least 11 people who attended the event Aug. 2-6 in Las Vegas died of Covid they likely caught while attending the show, according to media reports. Many more were sickened by the disease after attending the Paparazzi conference. (See articles by Inside Edition and Vox.)
In September, the National Association of Broadcasters canceled its annual in-person NAB conference for the second year in a row because of Covid. It had been scheduled for Oct. 9-13 in Las Vegas. (See articles by Media Play News, Deadline and the Wrap.)
The Consumer Technology Association is requiring in-person attendees at CES 2022 to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination. It will use the Clear smartphone app to manage proof of vaccination for U.S.-based attendees. International attendees will use a similar, third-party platform to submit proof of vaccination.
CES 2022 organizers said they will follow state and local guidelines and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That likely means requiring attendees to wear masks.
In its information for attendees, CES organizers said attendees come to CES 2022 at their own risk. As part of the registration process, attendees must agree to the following terms:

“I understand that participation in events and travel to and around Las Vegas may increase the risk of exposure and contraction to communicable diseases and viruses. I agree to release and hold harmless the Consumer Technology Association, the facilities and their employees and representatives from and against damages, liability, claims and expenses arising from the contraction or spread of diseases and viruses, including but not limited to Coronavirus (COVID-19), due to my travel to or participation in any aspects of CES. This agreement is binding on me and my successors and heirs.”

One of the keynote speakers at CES 2022 will be Abbott Chief Executive Robert Ford. Among other things, Abbott makes a rapid antigen self-test to detect Covid-19.
Ford’s presentation will mark the first time in CES history that a health-care company has taken the mainstage for a keynote.
Other speakers scheduled for CES 2022 include General Motors CEO Mary Barra and T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert.

Photo: Covid-19 artwork by artist Prachatai (via Creative Commons)

Related articles:

From 200,000 attendees to just one: Here’s what Vegas looks like during CES 2021 (Digital Trends; Jan. 12, 2021)

U.S. COVID-19 map (Mayo Clinic)

Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count (The New York Times)

Map: Track the Covid hot spots across the U.S. (NBC News)