Big Apple is about to ‘sleep’

“New York is definitely ready for the word of God.”

—Billy Graham

By Alex P. Vidal

BASED on what I witnessed yesterday (March 17) when I took a quick trip to the grocery store for my food supply (good for one week), I can say that “the city that never sleeps” is finally about to start or has started “sleeping.”

Because of the rising number of New Yorkers infected with the coronavirus (more than 100 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in New York City over the course of March 17, with officials expecting an exponential rise in the coming days), our movements have been “restricted.”

Employers have suspended some works if not lessened the duty hours.

There are fewer passengers in the subway trains and many major establishments and malls are almost empty.

Restaurants, bars, and other establishments in the five boroughs—Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island—were no longer allowed to accept sit-in customers except “take out” orders.

There are currently at least 923 confirmed COVID-19 patients in the city, up from 814 reported cases earlier Tuesday.

Will the Big Apple go to bed finally? 

New Yorkers reportedly get an average of 6.8 hours of sleep per night, about the same amount as New Orleans, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and many other U.S. cities. 

Las Vegas gets the least sleep—only 6.5 hours per night, but rumors that the city never sleeps have reportedly been exaggerated.

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Despite the misconception that anything and everything is available around the clock in New York City, many people around the globe continued to be mesmerized by the Big Apple For being “awake” 24/7, and so it seems.

Comprising of five boroughs sitting where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean, New York City has Manhattan at its core, a densely populated borough that’s among the world’s major commercial, financial and cultural centers. 

Its iconic sites include skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and sprawling Central Park. Broadway theater is staged in neon-lit Times Square.

As of March 17, New Yorkers have been briefed about the latest development in as far as the battle against the coronavirus is concerned.

Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature have an agreement on a bill guaranteeing job protection and pay for New Yorkers who have been quarantined as a result of novel coronavirus. 

The bill also includes the permanent comprehensive paid sick leave policy.

The governor signed an executive order directing all schools in New York to close by Wednesday (March 18) for two weeks ending April 1.

Casinos, gyms, theaters are closed until further notice.

Bars and restaurants are closed, but takeout can be ordered during the period of closure.

Strongly advise only services and businesses that are essential stay open after 8:00PM: groceries, gas stations, pharmacies, and medical facilities.

All local governments must reduce their workforce by at least 50 percent. Non-essential state workers are working from home.

New York State has waived all park fees in state, local and county parks.

Testing is free for all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider.

Local health department is the community contact for COVID-19 concerns. 

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The news that shocked everyone on March 17 was that more than 100 new coronavirus cases were confirmed in New York City over the course of Tuesday, with officials expecting an exponential rise in the coming days.

Mayor Bill De Blasio boomed March 17 night: “It’s unbelievable how rapidly this crisis is growing right now.”

Residents have been exhorted to prepare for an unprecedented “shelter-in-place” order to contain the coronavirus. 

It is expected that there will be as many as 10,000 cases of the disease in the Big Apple by next week.

The mayor added: “I didn’t even know by the time I got to your show there would be 100 more people, but what I said earlier today is this is moving very fast. We should all be very concerned about how we find a way to slow the trajectory of this virus.”

The idea of shelter in place has to be considered now and it has to be with between the city and state working together, stressed the mayor.

De Blasio and Cuomo actually sparred over whether such plans were in the works, with the governor dismissing the idea during a TV appearance.

“If New York City says, ‘Well you can’t come out of your house, all that will do is cause you to stay with your cousin in Westchester,” Cuomo said, adding that he’s working on coordinating restrictions with Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut.

“There’s not going to be any quarantine,” he explained.

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