UNDER COVID, PT. 16: THE CITY THAT ISN'T

If you'd like to see the perfect symbol  of New York in 2020, there is none better than the photo on the right. 

Taken a few days ago, it shows three vultures hovering over the USNS Comfort, the hospital ship currently caring for the overflow of COVID patients. 

The article where the photo was published tells us that vultures use their sense of smell to detect "the gasses produced by the beginnings of the process of decay." 

Certainly, that refers to the unfortunate patients. But you couldn't blame anybody for thinking it could also refer to the city behind them, standing tall but strangely quiet against an overcast sky. Particularly if that "anybody" had just moved here on the first of March.

I remember when the night wasn't complete without
a 3 a.m. breakfast at Dave's. Kids these days
don't know what they're missing!

Think about it. You've graduated from school, saved some money, and have managed to score an apartment in the city of your dreams. Might be in Brooklyn or Queens. Probably on the small side. But it's a funky (in a good way) neighborhood with cool restaurants and bars and art galleries. You like sports? Plenty of easy access to the Yankees, Mets, and Brooklyn Nets.


Knicks fan, you say? Well, my condolences, but hey, knock yourself out at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. Manhattan! Where you have your choice of theater, concerts, museums, and still more cool restaurants and bars.  Oh, I forgot, you scored a job in your field! Entry level, but it's a good start.

Then you wake up two weeks later -- and all of that is gone. 

Literally, gone. Including the job, because you don't qualify for telecommuting. And as you wander the quiet streets, marveling at the sheer number of non-essential commerce in America's biggest city, you suddenly realize that New York is now no different than the cow-town you left. 

Joke's. On. You.





Well, maybe things aren't quite as bad as I've made them out to be. Even in my neighborhood you can still find art...

Live music...

Dinner specials you can't get anywhere else...

Pharmacies ready, willing, and able to help with your every beauty need...











And let's not forget a romantic stroll with that special someone through Central Park. 

Yup, New York is still the city of your dreams. Best thing now: alternate side of the street parking is cancelled indefinitely!


What's that? You don't have a car? No worries! Even during times of crisis like these, the subway is still your best bet to get where you're going.



So, you newcomer, wipe that frown off your face (with alcohol wipes while wearing disposable gloves) and pull up that mask. New York is still open for business, even if your business isn't!

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