Coronavirus cases in New York have exploded, and the city officials are calling on New Yorkers to practice social distancing. The coronavirus has spread at unprecedented rates like no other place, indicating that infected people have been spreading it for weeks. Dr. Birx from the Coronavirus Task Force spoke today about the NYC area: “Clearly the virus had been circulating there (NYC) for a number of weeks to have this level of [penetration] into the local community.”
NYC Mayor de Blasio didn’t shut down bars and restaurants until mid-March (see below).
On February 9th, key health officials in New York City were more interested in political correctness and showing a “powerful show of defiance” of the coronavirus scare during the Chinese New Year celebrations. They called for people to ignore the “misinformation” and to gather for a celebration. One official posted photos of large crowds on Twitter.
Also on February 9th, the death toll in China surpassed that of the SARS outbreak – 811 dead and 37,000 cases.
NYC Healthy Commissioner Oxiris Barbot tweeted:
“Today our city is celebrating the #LunarNewYear parade in Chinatown, a beautiful cultural tradition with a rich history in our city. I want to remind everyone to enjoy the parade and not change any plans due to misinformation spreading about #coronavirus.”
Today our city is celebrating the #LunarNewYear parade in Chinatown, a beautiful cultural tradition with a rich history in our city. I want to remind everyone to enjoy the parade and not change any plans due to misinformation spreading about #coronavirus. https://t.co/bwCnIb7j8H
— Commissioner Dave A. Chokshi, MD (@NYCHealthCommr) February 9, 2020
Chair of the NYC Council Health Committee tweeted:
In powerful show of defiance of #coronavirus scare, huge crowds gathering in NYC’s Chinatown for ceremony ahead of annual #LunarNewYear parade. Chants of “be strong Wuhan!”
In powerful show of defiance of #coronavirus scare, huge crowds gathering in NYC's Chinatown for ceremony ahead of annual #LunarNewYear parade. Chants of "be strong Wuhan!"
If you are staying away, you are missing out! pic.twitter.com/NGBUAfHWpl
— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) February 9, 2020
Mayor de Blasio finally shut down bars and restaurants. He’s now trying to blame President Trump.
I love how Clueless De Blasio, allowed a long party weekend at the bsrs on March 13, 14, 15 & 16th. Yesterday on CNN he tried to deflect his lack of preventing the NYC COVID19 outbreak onto Trump. What an arrogant ass you are NYC mayor ! pic.twitter.com/tfqNtA4eb8
— CTown Sports (@DarrinGaffney) March 23, 2020