“While it is understandable for some New Yorkers to be concerned about the novel coronavirus situation, we cannot stand for racist and stigmatizing rhetoric, or for myths and half-truths about the virus. The best precaution you can take is to practice what you would during any flu season: Wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and please stay home if you’re feeling unwell. The Health Department is committed to separating the facts from fear, and we encourage all New Yorkers to do the same.”

This basically turned into “it’s just the flu, if you think it is more, you are playing into the racism rhetoric”.

Look, I don’t care which side of the country was right, but ignoring the mistakes we made feels like we are setting ourselves up for falling for the same traps.