Today Mayor de Blasio announces a .24 percent positivity test rate for COVID-19 — a rate that once hit 71 percent.
That would be incredible for any city, but particularly one that was so devastated in March and April.
With a .24% positivity rate, I am genuinely amazed to see most people still wearing masks as they go about their lives. And outside it is not even a requirement.
But inside it is. And stores are getting sloppy in their definitions of what "wearing a mask" means.
In Duane Reade today I see at least two employees wearing masks with their noses exposed.
And we all know that those masks with the valves on them do nothing to protect others; it only protects the wearer.
At Agata I see a man with a paper towel scotch-taped to the sides of his face, right below his ears. When I point this out to a store employee, she responds, "Oh that's okay. At least he's wearing a mask."
I fear for the immediate future of NYC.
Crime is increasing —through July, shootings were up 72% vs. last year.
People are exiting the city in droves— my building is filled with vacancies.
Stores are closing everywhere.
I see this sign today as I pass my next-door nail salon. They had opened back up just a month ago.
The city will be cutting crucial services as major budget cuts are needed.
More restaurants will close when eating outside is no longer an option.
Theater —both on and off-Broadway— doesn't exist right now.
And will there even be a screening season?
I know more people on unemployment today than at any time in the past.
Who knows what the fall will bring, but I fear we are in for a very bumpy ride.
NYC has done such a wonderful job in beating down COVID and keeping it down.
ReplyDeleteI am planning on writing to Gov. Baker about educating people on how to wear a mask. People know they should wear one, but apparently don't understand how the respiratory system works, i.e. mouth...AND...nose. And when I see the local pharmacist wearing it below the nose...WoW! As "Science Bob" said a few weeks ago, "Wearing a mask below your nose is not wearing a mask at all; you might as well spit on me."
We need Biden/Harris and all the intelligent people with whom they will surround themselves to help us all recover from this nightmare..."Build Back Better"