Is NYC Truly Ready to Re-Open?

New York City is known as the city that never sleeps. There is always something to do or see, regardless of the time of day or night it is.

That is, until Covid-19 struck.

Yesterday, there was an editorial in the New York Post declaring that it was time to re-open the city.

In theory, I agree with the writer. Stores and businesses with the exception of those that are considered necessary are for all intents and purposes closed. Millions are out of work and relying on unemployment to get by. Schools are closed, forcing students and their parents to learn virtually. The number of New Yorkers who are now going to food banks and charities to ensure that they can feed themselves and their families have gone up exponentially.

But in reality, I don’t quite agree with him. As of earlier this afternoon, there are nearly 194,000 cases in the city with over 50,000 hospitalized. More than 20,000 New Yorkers have died. My concern is that if we re-open too soon, we are opening the door to a second wave of Covid-19 and erasing the gains that have been made in stopping the disease.

Like all of you, I am more than ready to re-enter the world. I am ready to go back to the office, to go to the beach, meets my friends for a drink, etc. Especially with summer unofficially starting this weekend with Memorial Day. But there is also a risk of getting sick or getting someone else sick. I’m not sure that is a risk I am ready or willing to take at this moment.

Advertisement

Flashback Friday-Escape to Witch Mountain (1995)

Among children’s literature, the narrative of young people escaping from an adult with not so good intentions is a common one. The question is, does the specific narrative stand out or is it just simply forgettable?

In the 1995 television movie, Escape to Witch Mountain (a reboot of the 1975 movie of the same name), Anna and Danny (Elisabeth Moss and Erik von Detten) are an orphaned brother and sister duo with with psychic powers. When millionaire Edward Bolt (Robert Vaughn) take the children in, he appears to be the father they need. But Edward has other reasons for bringing Anna and Danny into his home, none of which are virtuous.

I think one’s perspective on this TV movie depends on one’s age. If the audience member is the same age of the characters, they might enjoy it. If the audience member is not of the same age of the characters, they might think that the story is a little too simplistic and the characters predictable.

Do I recommend it? I am leaning toward no.