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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — In the wake of growing coronavirus concerns in the Houston-area, a petition to have Houston’s Livestock Show and Rodeo cancelled has popped up online.
There are currently eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Houston-area, and concerned citizens worry the rodeo could contribute to more cases.
A change.org petition titled “Petition to Cancel the Houston Rodeo Amid Coronavirus Outbreak” has already gained over 400 signatures.
The creator of the petition says, “Due to this clear and present danger to public health in Houston, I believe it is essential we cancel the remainder of the Houston Rodeo.”
Rodeo season kicked off Tuesday, March 3 and will last through Sunday, March 22.
The petition comes one day after the annual Austin event “South by Southwest” was canceled due to coronavirus concerns.
READ MORE: South by Southwest canceled amidst coronavirus outbreak
Houston mayor Sylvester Turner said on Twitter that the rodeo isn’t the same because unlike Austin’s SXSW, RodeoHouston is a mostly local event.
Sylvester Turner✔@SylvesterTurner
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo #HLSR is primarily a local event. SXSW attracts people from over 100 countries. CERAWEEK which Houston has hosted for 35 years attracts delegates from over 80 countries. Austin canceled SXSW; Houston canceled CERAWEEK. st
For the past 35 years, the Who’s Who in the energy community have gathered in Houston at the annual CERAWeek conference.