Public shouldn’t be scared of coronavirus, Mayor Walsh says

Mayor Martin Walsh called for residents to rally around each other and not give in to fear after the first case of coronavirus was identified in the city.

Attending the Lion Dance Parade during Sunday’s celebration of the Year of the Rat, Walsh said “obviously we have a case of coronavirus here in Boston but as of right now there should be no fear.”

A UMass Boston student who returned from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the virus, sought medical attention on Wednesday after landing at Logan and is in good condition, according to health officials Saturday.

Northeastern freshman Lina Abu-Absi, hanging out with friends near the Chinatown Gate Sunday morning, said she wasn’t worried about the virus even after receiving a warning email from her university.

“The idea of the virus is scary but I don’t think I’m scared right now,” Abu-Absi said. “I know that people that are a lot smarter than me are dealing with the situation.”

Few people wore masks Sunday afternoon in Chinatown, and bakeries and restaurants were packed with customers.

Mary Iorao, a student in Providence attending the parade with friends, said the widespread media coverage of the virus is raising legitimate concerns, and she said she couldn’t find face masks in stores recently.

“We’re nervous,” Iorao said. “I’m trying not to go into the middle of the crowds.”

Peter Lubetsky of Cambridgeport said his family had zero concerns heading to the parade.

“We haven’t really given it any thought to be honest,” Lubetsky said.

Coronavirus fears have led to social media posts describing racist reactions to the virus, which festivalgoers including Abu-Absi called “sad” on Sunday.

Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, whose district includes Chinatown, said Saturday the Chinese-American community in Boston deserves “our respect and dignity and empathy, not just on this public health issue, but at all times.”

Walsh echoed the sentiment, citing the hundreds of deaths from the virus in China.

“This isn’t the way we should carry ourselves as people,” Walsh said. “I think we should be rallying around each other right now.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/37Ty9cH