Caution Over the Coronavirus Pandemic Cancels Many Events

Parades, sports, and theaters cancel amidst fear

Robert Tashjian, Contributor| March 12, 2020

Mr. Henry Beckvold, with permission

Junior Jack Clifford participated in the Abington St. Paddy’s Day parade on March 17, 2019 in Abington MA.

On Monday, March 9, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced that the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in South Boston, scheduled for Sunday, March 15, would be cancelled. Amidst the fear of the coronavirus (COVID 19) outbreak, many mass gatherings such as concerts and sporting events have been cancelled.

“This decision is being made out of an abundance of caution to ensure that we are doing what is needed to keep the residents of Boston safe and healthy,” said Walsh in a news release about the cancellation of the Saint Paddy’s Day parade.

“Based on what they’re saying about the coronavirus, having a lot of people together, I can appreciate them cancelling the parade and trying to protect people,” said Abington science teacher Mr. Kitterick, who lived in Boston for the first 18 years of his life.

Mr. Kitterick also said, “Relative to that parade, it’s the first time I can recall them cancelling the parade since the 1970’s relative to busing issues that occurred in Boston.”

On Wednesday, March 11, the Abington Board of Health announced that their town’s Saint Patrick’s Day parade scheduled for Sunday, March 15, was cancelled. It was cancelled for the first time in 41 years.

Abington senior Katelyn Nelligan said, “I see the concern and I know that they are just trying to stop the spread” but she felt “we should still have at least some way to celebrate it.”

Then, on Thursday, March 12, the highly anticipated high school musical “Mamma Mia” was also cancelled.

The Abington Performing Arts Twitter said, “I am sad to announce that the Abington Health Agency has ruled that no large gatherings take place due to the current pandemic. Mamma Mia will not take place as scheduled this weekend. More details will be provided as they become available. Thank you for your understanding.”

As of Friday, March 13, the Boston Marathon, scheduled for April 20, has been postponed to Monday, Sept. 14.

As for sports, today the NBA suspended their season. And, the Abington Boys’ Basketball State Championship game in Worcester against Hopedale was cancelled.

CORRECTION:  This story has been updated with the correct information that the 124th Boston Marathon has been rescheduled for Monday, September 14, 2020. An earlier version of this story misstated that the Boston Marathon was cancelled.
This story has been updated on the Abington Boys’ Basketball team state championship game. An earlier version reported that the game would be played on Saturday, March 14, 2020 in Worcester without fans, but that was changed by the MIAA.