The city that never sleeps no longer is taking a pause in an unprecedented effort to contain the spread of COVID-19, better known as coronavirus.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order that all non-essential workers are required to stay home starting at 8pm on Sunday, March 21 until further notice. For the complete list of essential/non-essential businesses, click here.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s considered essential:
- grocer, restaurants, convenience stores (bodegas), liquor stores, hardware stores, warehouse and distributors
- health care providers and pharmacies
- news media
- gas stations, banks, laundromats and dry cleaners
- child care providers
- animal shelters and veterinary services
- utilities, telecommunications and transportation providers
- auto repair, plumbers and other skilled contractors, construction companies and many kinds of manufacturers
- funeral homes, crematories and cemeteries
For new Yorkers economically impacted by the contagion, the NYT has a great list to help navigate unemployment claims, negotiating with the utility company to keep the lights on, respite for renters/homeowners and preventing defaults on student loans. Unfortunately, this is also prime time for scammers who exploit fear and confusion ranging from price-gouging to fake coronavirus tests.
Regardless of where you live, I have a favo(u)r to ask all of you: barring essential travel for food, medication. solitary exercise, and of course, liquor — stay the f#ck home.
There’s a balance between abject fear and giving this virus the respect it deserves. We’re all gonna teeter between the two. Use common sense, don’t forget to exhale, find humor in the absurd, and please stop buying all the toilet paper.
There is a lot of dis/misinformation out there. Get the facts from a credible and trusted source and pace yourself as this is gonna be the new normal for several months.
A tip o’ the hat to Ginger Otis, Metro editor, New York Daily News for the “Love in the Time of Cholera Corona” headline.
And let’s not forget the artists, the sensitive, the angels with broken wings, for may find these times even harder.
I just learned that an acquaintance took their own life yesterday. I barely knew him but am familiar with his pain.
Be nice, be kind. We will get through this together.
I’m so sorry for your loss and I agree – be nice, be kind.