Slowly life in New York is returning to normal, as 15 months have passed since the city was hit hard by the coronavirus. But some changes caused by the pandemic are expected to remain, at least for a period of time.
Street music and outdoor gatherings have returned to New York, after 15 months of restrictive and isolation measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“You can sit in a restaurant without having to measure your temperature and without being given a name. “So things are going in the right direction,” said Dan, a New Yorker.
“I feel like we are close to normal. “It feels good to be in New York,” said Dabrialla, a tourist.
“I want the world to heal and I thought I could help in that direction. I had time so I went out to make music and give love“, Says Mareka, singer.
Music festivals, farmer shops and other activities are making up for a passive year.
“Union Square” is full of people who maintain a distance of two meters, although the authorities have eased the restrictions imposed in March 2020.
In June of this year, the number of people in New York City who tested positive for COVID-19 was the lowest level ever recorded. In New York State, over 20 million doses of the vaccine have been injected, and 9 million of these went to New York City residents.
Despite the facilitation of the measures, many citizens continue to wear masks even in open spaces.
“As I walked the streets people told me: the measures have been eased. But I say I’m patienting a bitSays Roland, a retired teacher.
“It is not known who was vaccinated and who was not. So it seems to me that we have a long way to goSays Bruce Cliffton, retiree.
Despite the summer heat, street vendors continue to wear masks, for their own safety and the comfort of customers.
“We are back at work, but life is not normal. It takes timeSays Eddy, a peddler.
According to a survey by the New York City Partnership, only 62 percent of Manhattan office workers will return to buildings in September, where they are expected to work only three days a week.
Nearly 40 percent of office workers say they are ready to resign if they are not allowed to work a few days from home.
There are also concerns about the safety of using public transport.
“It’s hard to get on the subway or get around. Even though I know the measures have been eased, I still have a sense of guilt, even though I feel goodSays Kimberly, teacher.
New York authorities have begun implementing a program to help reopen pandemic-damaged small businesses. The $ 11 million program aims to help about 50,000 small businesses, guaranteeing quick answers to questions and halving the time for reopening procedures.
