The St Patrick's Day parade is an iconic Chicago tradition, but unfortunately history warns us that this year's edition could be a recipe for disaster in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak.

In July 1918, 200,000 people gathered in the streets of Philadelphia to celebrate the impending end of WWI. A week later, approximately 45,000 residents were afflicted with the deadly Spanish Influenza. By the end of the crisis, the city would experience a death rate up to twice as high as that of St Louis and other American cities that took precautions earlier.

Chicago should join Dublin in cancelling the 2020 St Patrick's day parade to help slow the spread of this dangerous disease and prevent overburdening our hospitals with a massive surge in cases.