For one Chinese family in New York, it was simply time to go home, virus or not


  • World
  • Saturday, 01 Feb 2020

Jonathan Niu waits at John F. Kennedy International Airport to accompany his father Niu Fang Xiu and mother Liu Xiu Lan back to their home in Hefei in east China along with cardboard boxes filled with 200 face masks in New York U.S January 31 2020. REUTERSJonathan Allen

Jonathan Niu waits at John F. Kennedy International Airport, to accompany his father, Niu Fang Xiu and mother, Liu Xiu Lan back to their home in Hefei in east China, along with cardboard boxes filled with 200 face masks, in New York, U.S, January 31, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Allen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jonathan Niu got to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport five hours early on Friday, not least because he had a lot of luggage to check for his flight to his native China: He was hauling back boxes filled with hundreds of face masks.

His mother and father, both in their 70s, came to visit him in New York about five months ago, their first trip there in 20 years. In the interim, a new coronavirus has emerged in China and become a fast-spreading global health crisis, prompting foreign governments to fly their citizens out of the country.

Save 30% for ads-free and full access now!

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM9.73 only

Billed as RM9.73 for the 1st month then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month
RM8.63/month

Billed as RM103.60 for the 1st year then RM148 thereafters.

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Others Also Read


All Headlines:

Want to listen to full audio?

Unlock unlimited access to enjoy personalise features on the TheStar.com.my

Already a member? Log In