Corey Johnson Postpones 'State Of City' Amid Coronavirus Fear

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY — City Council Speaker Corey Johnson has postponed his 'State of the City' speech this week as a precaution as the city deals with an outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Johnson — who was scheduled to give the speech Thursday at the Borough of Manhattan Community College in Tribeca — said Tuesday that he decided to suspend the event to ensure that the hundreds of guests slated to attend the speech can remain safe and healthy.

The event is the latest in New York City to be cancelled or postponed as New Yorkers avoid crowds, busy public transit and even their offices to prevent the spread of the virus, which has been diagnosed in 25 people in the city as of March 10.

“To be clear, the city’s Health Department is not calling for a prohibition on public events for all New Yorkers at this time," Johnson said. "...I was looking forward to the speech, but at a time when we are urging New Yorkers to consider measures like telecommuting and staggered work hours, it seemed an unnecessary risk.

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The city's officials are urging the elderly, those who are sick and those with chronic lung disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or a weakened immune system to avoid unnecessary events and gatherings, Johnson said.

He added that the policy proposals he planned to announce — likely to be as significant as the sweeping 104-page transit plan revealed at his last State of the City address — will still be released Thursday.

So far, city officials have not cancelled large events like the St. Patrick's Day Parade and have said closing public schools are a last resort, although many Manhattan campuses have closed temporarily to conduct thorough cleanings after students and parents reported possible contact with COVID-19 patients.

Mayor Bill de Blasio told New Yorkers this week to avoid crowded subways and buses, urging them to walk or, ideally, telecommute.

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