“Better a thousand times careful than once dead.”

Anything concerning public health should take priority, which is why, amid the ongoing threat from the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV), Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas and the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. postponed the 2020 Paraw Regatta Festival. When people are confused, afraid to join the crowd, and worried for their health, it isn’t wise to hold any outdoor event—big or small.
Plus, since it is a deadly epidemic, the public should understand and cooperate. No sponsor, government agency, VIP, tourist group, or participant would stand in the way to nag.
This is the first time the event has been postponed in its 48 years. Unlike the Dinagyang Festival, it is not difficult to rescheduled the Paraw Regatta Festival.
Despite nCoV deaths being reported in China between December 2019 and January 2020, public alarm has only risen to this level after the number of deaths surpassed 1,000－eclipsing the number of fatalities from the SARS virus in 2003.
Fears have only heightened after China revealed the virus is airborne.
In New York City, according to New York Senator Chuck Schumer, the city has spent over $1 million and said they “could spend millions of local dollars more over the next 60 days to help tackle the virus.”
Over the weekend, he held a press conference, stating: “New York City has already spent more than a million dollars on public health activities of national importance to tackle the coronavirus, and could, if the need develops, be looking at a $1 million dollar-a-day tab. Tonight, I’m asking the feds to sign on the dotted line, just take the contract, and sign it, and say we will reimburse New York City for its costs. This administration should not be punishing New York by not giving us dollars.”
Funds have since distributed to New York City’s Department of Health, various hospitals, the New York Police Department, and other local agencies.
While there are no confirmed nCoV cases in New York, the 12 confirmed cases in the United States are in Washington, Illinois, California, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts.

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Alex P. Vidal, who is based in New York City, used to be the editor for two local dailies in Iloilo./WDJ