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We Just Decided that Coronavirus was Over
How a walk around the neighborhood reflects on human nature
I just returned to NYC and am slightly appalled by what I am seeing. After my quarantine period, I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood to see the changes happening as NYC opens up.
I adorned myself in a blue, disposable face mask and gloves just for a walk around some of my favorite places in NYC.
It was Monday, but honestly, it felt like a Friday. Everyone was out and about as if we weren’t amid a global pandemic. Outdoor seating seems great in theory, but I honestly think it fails in practice, especially when you consider the cramped streets and sidewalks of NYC.
The streets I crossed were lined by tables filled with people cleaning their beer glasses. The technicality of being 6ft apart may exist, if you consider the distance of the central poles of the tables. But nobody was 6 feet apart from their counterparts at other tables. And no one wore masks.
When I walked around, I actually felt uncomfortable that I was wearing a mask. What used to be a norm is now only followed by a small minority of the people in my neighborhood.
We seem to decide when things don’t exist or matter anymore. Even though coronavirus is still a significant threat, and a growing threat given recent openings, we just decided that we don’t need to concern ourselves with this problem anymore.
I understand that after being cooped up for what seems like ages, and it is the summer months, outdoor time is needed. But, there are safe ways to do this that don’t put you and others at risk. So my not take the precautions and stay on the safe side.