New York Police addressed rampant social media rumors that the NYC subway system will shut down amid the novel coronavirus pandemic

In the midst of a growing novel coronavirus panic in New York City, the New York City Police Department tweeted an all-caps dismissal of one viral rumor that's been spread through mass texts and on social media.

"There is a lot of misinformation on social media," the tweet reads. "One tweet in particular is false. Contrary to what it says there are no plans by the NYPD to shut down roadways or subways." 

The NYPD didn't link to the tweet it was referencing, but mass fake news texts have been circulating that suggest otherwise. One of the widely-shared texts alleges that a coworker in Slack had lunch with Emma Bloomberg, former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg's daughter, and that her phone "was going off like crazy."

The text, which is false, goes on to allege that current NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo are "likely going to announce a quarantine of NYC" on Thursday or Friday, which could result in the subway shutting down, so text recipients are urged to buy groceries immediately.

Another widely-circulated fake news text message says that a friend of a friend who works in emergency management at the NYPD says the subway will be limited, with parts shutting down entirely, and that only emergency vehicles will be allowed on the road. That text recommends recipients stock up on food, water, and cash, "because groceries and atm machines will have limited ability to be refilled."

Both texts are misinformation, and there have been no official steps to quarantine New York or stop public transportation.