St. Patrick’s parades: Ireland, no. Morristown, yes; Drew cancels Forum talk amid coronavirus concerns

Marching band at the 2019 Morris County St. Patrick's Parade. Photo by Penny Lopez
Marching band at the 2019 Morris County St. Patrick's Parade. Photo by Penny Lopez
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The Republic of Ireland on Monday announced that St. Patrick’s parades across that country will be canceled, in hopes of containing the coronavirus.

But Morris County’s parade will go on this weekend in Morristown, Mayor Tim Dougherty’s office announced.

“We want everyone to be on the same page,” Dougherty said in a statement after speaking with organizers of the parade, still scheduled for noon on Saturday, March 14, 2020.

The novel coronavirus. Image: CDC.org

“Don’t kiss anyone you don’t know. Carry sanitizer if you have it. Wash your hands throughout the day. Take the same precautions you would if you had the flu. And be sure to follow the guidance of local health officials and the CDC,” the mayor said, referring to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Artie Flinn, chairman of the Morris County parade, said his trustees had spoken with the mayor.

“Unless the Governor imposes a ban on large gatherings, we plan on stepping off at noon on the 14th,” Flinn said. “We understand that some people may decide to stay home this year and we encourage everyone to do what is best for them and their families. As always, we want a family friendly parade that is safe and enjoyable for all.”

As of Monday, 11 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in New Jersey. None so far are in Morris County.

POSTPONED: Former White House adviser Valerie Jarrett’s March 11, 2020, talk at the Drew Forum has been pushed to the fall, amid concerns about the coronavirus.

Drew University in Madison has postponed Wednesday’s Drew Forum lecture by Valerie Jarrett, former senior adviser to President Obama, until the fall.

“Discussions continue about future events, which may be impacted by the rapidly evolving coronavirus situation,” the university said on its website.

St. Patrick’s Day parades still are planned for Boston and New York. Both cities have confirmed cases of the coronavirus; New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency over the weekend.

An expert on the deadly 1918 influenza epidemic told the CBS Sunday Morning show that Philadelphia went forward with a war bond parade, despite warnings from the medical community.

“So, 48 hours later, influenza exploded around the city,” said John M. Barry, author of The Great Influenza, The Story of the Deadliest Pansdemic in History.  About 14,500 Philadelphians succumbed to “the Spanish flu,” which killed tens of millions around the globe.

The 1918 influenza epidemic. CBS News.

The situations are not exactly parallel, however. The present COVID-19 virus appears to pose its greatest threat to older people. The deadly 1918 influenza virus hit young people hard, in an era when medicine was primitive and viruses were not understood. And the public was kept in the dark about the risks, according to Barry, because a law made it treasonous to report anything that could be construed as harming U.S. efforts in World War I.

Morris County’s parade grand marshal, Mary O’Connell Waller, said the final call will be up to the mayor this weekend.

“Whatever is decided, that’s what we’ll do,” said Waller.

She acknowledged it would be “a big disappointment” to cancel the parade, which traces its roots to George Washington and his Continental Army in Morristown, and draws, by organizer estimates, up to 80,000 spectators to cheer for 120 diverse marching groups. “But we’ll do what’s best for the public.”

Organized by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the Irish American Association of Northwest Jersey, the Morris County parade has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity.

Since its inaugural year of 1979, the parade has been postponed only twice: In 1993 for snow, and in 2010, moments before start time, when Mayor Dougherty deemed it unsafe because  ferocious winds were toppling porta-johns.

Theresa Davis, a member of the parade committee, said she is thinking positive.

“It’s an outdoor event. I think everyone is eager to get to the day and go down South Street,” she said.

The town’s press release said local officials will be eyeing developments this week, and advised residents to monitors websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

In the meantime, the mayor reiterated these health tips:

● Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
● If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
● Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty
● Avoid close contact with people who are sick
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
● Stay home when you are sick
● Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
● Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe

“Otherwise, we can’t wait to spend this fun and exciting day with residents from all over New Jersey as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!” Dougherty concluded.

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