The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Statement
on COVID-19 and NSBE’s Annual Convention
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is looking forward to our 46th Annual
Convention (#NSBE46), which will take place in San Antonio, Texas, on March 25–29,
- The country’s largest annual gathering of Black engineers, #NSBE46 is expected
to attract more than 14,000 aspiring and practicing engineers, educators, and
representatives of more than 300 academic institutions, government agencies,
corporations and nonprofit organizations, all working toward NSBE’s goal of graduating
10,000 new Black engineers annually in the U.S. by 2025.
The novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, is not a current threat to the well-
being of those attending the convention. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) is not advising any travel restrictions within the U.S. at present, and
the Center states that the risk of infection within the United States is now low. We will
continue to monitor the situation as it progresses, but at this time, NSBE does not plan
to make any changes to its 46th Annual Convention schedule.
San Antonio now has six confirmed cases of the virus. All of the affected individuals are
now being held in federal quarantine. All six patients are returnees from the Diamond
Princess cruise ship who were evacuated in Japan on Feb. 17 and held in quarantine at
Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.
In an official statement on Feb. 21, the City of San Antonio wrote, “At this time, the risk
to the public remains low. Although few cases have been confirmed amongst these
quarantined evacuees, the City of San Antonio continues to implement its existing plans
with its federal, state and regional partners.”
“Our residents should know that the federally ordered quarantine is functioning as it
should. Those evacuees, who are in quarantine on Lackland Air Force Base, who test
positive for COVID-19 remain in isolation from the general public and other evacuees,”
said San Antonio Metro Health Director Dr. Dawn Emerick in the same statement.
Contact:
Yvette Watson
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
Email – ywatson@nsbe.org
Office Number – 703-549-2207, ext. 209