With so many people traveling from Asia to join families in the United States for the New Year holiday, Tran said it would be “impossible” for China’s quarantine efforts to prevent the coronavirus from coming to New York City. AdvertisementThat view is shared by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who announced Friday that the city’s Office of Health and Mental Hygiene had conducted a drill to prepare for the coronavirus’ arrival. AdvertisementBut that was after people infected with the novel germ had shown up in countries including Thailand, Japan and the United States. Chinese families often travel to celebrate the Lunar New Year with relatives, including the diaspora in the United States. Pong said one further factor — flu season — may slow the rapid detection of a newly arrived coronavirus.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 25, 2020 13:02 UTC