Looks like I may have gotten my MacBook Pro back just in time yesterday. Although, honestly, I could have continued to use my 2010 MacBook Pro for a while. Apple has taken a few precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and ease worries for their customers. As of today, all Apple Stores outside of the recently re-opened Apple Stores in China, have closed. Apple has also announced that, though it’ll be in June, WWDC will be online-only. If the coronavirus has impacted your work and you can’t pay for your Apple Card bill this month, Apple will offset your payment until next month.
These measures will hopefully help Apple and their customers avoid the struggles caused by this virus.
Apple Stores Closed
I likely would have been able to pick up my MacBook Pro from the store anyway, as Apple has kept a few select stores open so people could pick up their repaired devices. Still, this could have kept me from by newer MacBook Pro.
Apple Stores will be closed until at least March 27th. Apple will evaluate based on conditions in multiple regions before deciding whether or not to continue to keep the stores closed, or if it’s time to reopen. When I went in to pick up my MacBook Pro, the store was more empty than usual. Still, everyone was taking precautions. Some with face masks, others with gloves, and those, like myself and the people I dealt with, slathering their hands in hand sanitizer.
If you meet someone over the next two weeks who doesn’t have cracked hands, do not trust them, they’ve either got the best moisturizer ever, or they’re not washing their hands enough.
WWDC Online-Only
WWDC will be in June of this year. That will likely be after the outbreak has begun to die down, but may be before we have a vaccine for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Apple is looking to stop the spread or a resurgence. It’s true that we’ll likely still be dealing with this illness in June, even if it’s not as bad as it is currently.
Typically we don’t know when WWDC will be until about two weeks before the event. That still hasn’t changed. However, we do know that no one will book flights out to the event. Apple will give the keynote speech, presentations, and more online only.
I’m sure it’ll still have the same magic of an Apple event, and the developer courses are always good to watch later anyway.
Defer Apple Card Payments
I feel bad for my bartender friends right now. Last week I even tried to get “one last” trip out the the neighborhood haunt with my friends, but no one wanted to risk it. Bartenders, servers, and many other people rely on tips. Even those who don’t will see reduced business in the coming weeks. That means they won’t have money this month. Some areas with a large number of cases have prevented evictions during this month. Apple is helping out as well. If you want, you can defer your payment until next month.
Stay Safe, Folks!
Whatever you do, stay safe, okay? Get a good 8 hours of sleep. Limit your exposure to other people for a few weeks. Wash your hands often. Don’t touch your face. Eat a balanced diet rich in many nutrients. Cough into your elbow. Don’t shake hands. Just, follow all of the advice you’re getting from the CDC and WHO. Stay safe, stay healthy. We’ll get through this mess together.
Sources:
- Hartley Charlton, MacRumors
- Wesley Hilliard, AppleInsider
- Mike Wuerthele, AppleInsider