Cherry blossom viewing goes on despite coronavirus fears

People wearing face masks come out to view the cherry blossoms in Nanjing in China's eastern Jiangsu province on March 20, 2020.

People wearing face masks come out to view the cherry blossoms in Nanjing in China's eastern Jiangsu province on March 20, 2020.

A woman poses for photos under cherry blossoms in Nanjing in China's eastern Jiangsu province on March 20, 2020.

People come out to view the cherry blossoms in Nanjing in China's eastern Jiangsu province on March 20, 2020.

A driverless vehicle broadcasts live images of cherry blossoms at Wuhan University in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on March 17, 2020. Since the campus is closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, well known for its cherry blossoms countrywide, it now live streams the trees everyday.

People take pictures as they walk past blooming cherry trees in smaller numbers than usual, due to a global outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Washington, U.S., March 19, 2020.

Despite government warnings to maintain 'social distancing' and avoid crowds due to the threat of the novel coronavirus, tourists make photographs of the flowers as peak bloom for the cherry trees that ring the Tidal Basin approaches March 18, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Capitol Building is visible as cherry blossom trees bloom on the West Lawn in Washington.

Normally crowded shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of visitors this time of year, the path under the cherry trees along the Tidal Basin is nearly empty as peak bloom approaches due to the coronavirus March 18, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Normally crowded shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of visitors this time of year, the path under the cherry trees along the Tidal Basin is nearly empty as peak bloom approaches March 18, 2020 in Washington, DC. The National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and related events were cancelled in response to the COVID-19, which has sickened more than 7000 people and left 112 dead so far in the United States.

University of Washington freshman Byron Chen walks on the campus among the nearly 30 cherry trees nearing their peak bloom Thursday, March 19, 2020, in Seattle.

People flock to the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to sweep through the community in Washington, U.S., March 20, 2020.

People flock to the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to sweep through the community in Washington, U.S., March 20, 2020.

People enjoy the sunny weather besides a blooming cherry tree at the 'English Garden' parc in Munich, Germany, Thursday, March 19, 2020.

Pedestrians admire cherry blossoms in the Japanese capital Tokyo on March 19, 2020.

A couple take a selfie with cherry blossoms at Ueno park in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, on March 19, 2020. The Tokyo government has urged residents to refrain from joining parties at parks during the famed cherry blossom season due the COVID-19 coronavirus.

An elderly couple walk down a path lined with blossoms in Battersea Park, London, Friday, March 20, 2020.

Beverly Fisher, left, and Jean Bley look at the cherry blossoms on March 19, 2020, in Washington. D.C.

People hold a party under cherry blossoms at Ueno park in Tokyo on March 20, 2020.

People stroll under cherry blossoms at Ueno park in Tokyo on March 20, 2020. Japan's weather agency declared the earliest start to the season since statistics began in 1953 after forecasters monitoring trees spotted the first signs of bloom, heralding a period when Tokyo's parks, temple grounds, schools and streets explode in pinks and whites.

People stroll under cherry blossoms at Ueno park in Tokyo on March 20, 2020.