“It is very unfortunate that people are concerned about the coronavirus because it is not anything that is taking place in the state of New York. There is nothing whatsoever preventing you from coming to this wonderful neighborhood.” Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer from Chinatown, February 14, 2020
RAIR Foundation USA has uncovered a little-seen video of powerful New York City politician Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer downplaying the Wuhan coronavirus. In the video, she pushes citizens to come to Chinatown on February 14, 2020, weeks after President Trump’s travel ban from China.
With nearly half of all Chinese coronavirus deaths in America so far and over double of the deaths per million citizens, it is quite reasonable to question why New York City has been so disproportionately impacted. Obviously, New York City is a heavily-populated urban center, but even so, Los Angeles, San Francisco-Oakland and San Jose have more citizens per square mile.
As we gear up to celebrate the #LunarNewYear in NYC, I want to assure New Yorkers that there is no reason for anyone to change their holiday plans, avoid the subway, or certain parts of the city because of #coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/r4gNWklGPX
— Commissioner Oxiris Barbot (@NYCHealthCommr) February 2, 2020
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