That article literally says to start practicing social distancing ASAP. How does this directive challenge that notion?

The article assures us this will be bad, but it doesn't say "fuck it all, go make out with everyone". It says to take precautions, like the one SF has done.

I think the parent post is sayin that this is too little, not that it is too much.

Correct. How is having gatherings of 1k people a good idea during a pandemic? The internal meeting that generated 70 cases in Boston had 170 attendants.

Ah, gotcha.

I think it is a matter of law vs. recommendation. It's really tricky.