In spite of the increasing number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in NY (115 in NY state, 16 in NYC), and similar actions by other universities in NYC such as Columbia and Barnard, NYU has refused to cancel classes and switch to an online model. The continuation of classes not only poses a threat to NYU students, but more importantly to their elderly and sick family members. The novel coronavirus is also a serious danger to some of the older faculty members as well as their families.

Many students take public transport to class, where the virus is most likely to spread. Additionally, sitting in close proximity with other students for hour-long periods is a recipe for disaster. Even though there are only 16 confirmed cases in NYC, the actual number of cases undoubtedly exceeds that, and it is more than likely an NYU student or faculty member has already contracted the virus.

NYU has to be proactive, rather than reactive, in their measures against the coronavirus. NYU must cancel classes now!