NYC ‘wakes up’ after 5 months

By Alex P. Vidal

 

“I love New York. You can pop out of the Underworld in Central Park, hail a taxi, head down Fifth Avenue with a giant hellhound loping behind you, and nobody even looks at you funny.” ― Rick Riordan

 

WE witnessed how New York City “went to sleep” for the first time in the history in March.

With COVID-19 at its highest peak, it was bizarre and spine-chilling, to say the least.

When the most glamorous metropolis in the world “woke up” on July 20 (Monday U.S. time) during Phase 4 of the reopening of economy, we would be witnessing it as well.

We began the countdown as scheduled on June 8 with strong optimism during Phase 1, when everything seemed uncertain and unpredictable.

During phases two and three, we continued to adhere to the wearing of mask and social distancing guidelines as the number of cases and deaths declined.

After four phases, there’s no stopping the Big Apple now from rolling back to the mainstream even if dramatic spikes in the number of COVID-19 cases have been reported in some Southern and Western states.

Governor Andrew Cuomo said: “We’re continuing to progress forward through the COVID-19 pandemic in the face of a continued explosion of cases throughout the United States, and that’s reflected in today’s hospitalizations—the lowest number since March 18—and rate of positive cases.”

“During these confining and frustrating times, I know it’s tempting to be tired of the many rules and guidelines the state has issued, but I reiterate that this pandemic is far from over, and the incredible compliance and fortitude of New Yorkers are key parts of our ability to fight COVID-19. Socially distance, wear a mask, wash your hands and stay New York Smart.”

 

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Cuomo hailed the development as “a hallmark for us,” though he said the state is still on guard for a possible resurgence of the virus.

Upon entering New York, people from 16 states that have seen case surges must undergo a two-week quarantine.

In the Bronx, meanwhile, honest monkeys, insincere giraffes, kindly elephants and more would be allowed to greet New Yorkers once again.

Along with zoos, botanical gardens will be permitted to swing open their gates and pro sports teams would play ball, minus in-person spectators.

Movie and TV crews would also be allowed to shoot on the city’s scenic streets, some four months after life in the Big Apple ground to a screeching halt due to the coronavirus outbreak.

However, indoor dining at restaurants, along with museums and malls, remains off the table amid ongoing concerns about COVID-19.

“We’ve got to strike a balance and we’ve got time to look at the evidence, watch what’s happening around the country, watch what’s happening here in the city and make further decisions on some of these pieces and we’ll do that very carefully with the state of New York,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a video shared Sunday on Twitter.

 

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IT’S good that the Iloilo City Government did not raise a whimper and there was no major stir when the 123 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) arrived in Iloilo City on July 20 by commercial plane and ship.

 

As long as the quarantine facilities can accommodate them, Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas told the local media he didn’t mind welcoming the returning Ilonggos.

In other cities and province, the return of even a single LSI has created a lot of furor and finger-pointing as if a person with a malignant disease has escaped from an asylum for communicable diseases facility.

The mass hysteria is now being accepted as a “normal” reaction because of the scary statistics of coronavirus pandemic infection which continues to give nightmare to people from all walks of life.

Treñas, meanwhile, continues to get applause from Ilonggos anywhere who believe that if not for his effective leadership and management of the pandemic, Iloilo City would have suffered the fate of Cebu, now the COVID-19 epicenter in the Philippines.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)