I'm not in a decision making role, so I'm not 'you guys'. Whether you like it or not, people who run events have to abide by the laws and regulations of where the conferences are, just as I do as someone who runs a large event. It's not about fear. It's about being able to have their event, which provides jobs for people.
Most, if not all, cities/counties/states which have restrictions in place or have had them, use metrics based on data. Just like Indiana, everything was about hospitalization rates after the flatten the curve period, nothing more, nothing less. Each county was able to make their own decisions underneath that, and each city underneath.
People my not have liked the results in Marion County, but I laugh at those who typically whine about "big government". Can't get more local governing than city regulations. Big cities have bigger concerns, and most of the time have a broader range of people with varying degrees of access to things like meals, healthcare and shelter.
When suburban hospitals are diverting ambulances away because they are at capacity, with 90% of COVID patience unvaccinated, you know we're at a point where "no limiting principle" is the least of their concern. Just because you're unconcerned doesn't mean this isn't real.