Event Scheduled to Proceed Despite Growing Infection Concerns
Cancellations Continue in US Areas with Confirmed Cases
Paris Decides to Cancel Chunje Festival
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Lunar New Year parades by Chinese communities were grandly held again this year across the United States, including New York. However, concerns about the spread of Wuhan pneumonia are growing.
According to U.S. media on the 25th (local time), the Lunar New Year parade in Flushing, a predominantly Chinese residential area in Queens, New York, proceeded as scheduled despite heavy rain. Flushing was once primarily a Korean residential area but is now a de facto Chinatown mainly inhabited by Chinese residents.
Although New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a day earlier that there was a suspected case of Wuhan pneumonia in New York, it did not affect the event's progress. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also mentioned, “Many Chinese immigrants live in New York, so confirmed cases are expected to emerge soon.”
On the other hand, Corey Johnson, Speaker of the New York City Council who participated in the parade, stated regarding Wuhan pneumonia, "We are quietly and scientifically seeking ways to address this public health issue. We should focus on informing the facts rather than causing panic."
The Wing Luke Asian Museum located in Seattle’s Chinatown, Washington State, where the first confirmed case of Wuhan pneumonia in the U.S. was reported, also held its Lunar New Year event as planned.
Los Angeles public health authorities also expressed that there was no reason to cancel the Lunar New Year events, but ABC News reported significant concerns about proceeding with the celebrations. The broadcast also introduced views from Chinese residents worried that Chinese visitors returning from China during the Lunar New Year might spread Wuhan pneumonia in the U.S.
There were also opinions that the U.S. preparedness for Wuhan pneumonia was insufficient. Mr. Son, who visited New York for Lunar New Year, said, "I entered through JFK Airport, but contrary to expectations, I did not feel that screening was strengthened due to Wuhan pneumonia." JFK Airport is one of five major airports where Chinese travelers entering the U.S. must pass through.
Near areas where Wuhan pneumonia cases were confirmed, concerns are spreading as Lunar New Year events and restaurant reservations are being canceled.
In Spokane City, Sammamish City, and King County in Washington State, where the first confirmed U.S. case of Wuhan pneumonia was reported, Lunar New Year events were canceled. Local media also reported that restaurant reservations by Chinese people were being canceled in Chicago, where the second confirmed case occurred.
Jun Wong, principal of the Sammamish Chinese School, said, "Participants were very concerned. The Chinese community is gripped by fear." Kate Langsdorf, spokesperson for Sammamish City, stated, "There is no city-level health threat yet, but we respect this decision." Pingping, president of the Spokane Chinese Association, also canceled the Lunar New Year event, saying, "It was a very difficult decision."
The Denver Chinese School in Denver, Colorado, decided to cancel the Lunar New Year event with students only on the day of the event. The school’s spokesperson, Shu Wong, explained, "This was a measure taken due to the increased risk of novel coronavirus infection recently in the U.S."
Cancellation of Lunar New Year events is not limited to the U.S. Paris, France, where confirmed cases also occurred, canceled its Lunar New Year street parade. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced on the 26th (local time) on Europe 1 radio that the Lunar New Year parade scheduled for that afternoon at Place de la R?publique in the city center was canceled. However, in Belgium and London, UK, where no confirmed cases have yet been reported, Lunar New Year events proceeded as planned.
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