ILLUMINATING THE RICH AND VARIED LIFE OF NEW YORK CITY

 

 

 

Harlem Reacts: COVID-19 Forces Residents Into A New Normal

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced stricter rules on communities and businesses to slow the spread of COVID-19 on Friday morning. All employees of “non-essential” businesses are required to stay home. Essential service businesses as defined by New York State include doctors, hospitals, media, grocery stores, bodegas, pharmacies, etc.

Like the rest of the city, Harlem’s residents tried to adapt to the rapidly changing situation.

The parks are still open.

A lone boy plays basketball at St. Nicholas Park. The rest of the court, handball courts, and children’s playgrounds are empty. March 16, 2020

Workers coordinate as Key Food supermarket on Frederick Douglass Blvd and W 140th st gets shipment of fruits and vegetables. Supermarkets are considered essential services and will not be closing down per Gov. Cuomo’s executive order. All other “non-essential” businesses are banned from allowing any of their employees to come into work. March 20, 2020.

The Yellow Banana Snack Bar on Amsterdam Ave and W 142nd St. Part juice and smoothie bar/ part bodega. Bodega’s qualify as an essential business and are not required to close per new city restrictions. March 16, 2020.

Dog owners are figuring out how to practice social distancing and care for their pets amidst quarantine encouragement from City. State. and the Federal government. While NYC does not currently have a strict “shelter in place,” Gov. Cuomo passed an executive order that all non-essential business workers must stay home, ordering all businesses to move to remote if possible, and asking New Yorkers to stay home unless absolutely necessary. March 20, 2020.

Harlem, New York. Dog owners practice social distancing while their dogs socialize at St. Nicholas Park Dog Run. Gov. Cuomo passed an executive order today that all non-essential business workers must stay home, ordering all businesses to move to remote if possible. New Yorkers are asked to stay home unless absolutely necessary. March 20, 2020.

Dog owners practice social distancing while their dogs socialize at St. Nicholas Park Dog Run. March 20, 2020.

A man plays basketball alone in the midst of an empty series of courts in St. Nicholas Park. March 20, 2020.

An empty St. Nicholas Avenue as viewed from the park. March 20, 2020.

 

Cardboard sign in St. Nicholas Park. It reads: “Can you help me get a bus ticket to Georgia? There’s only (6) cases of the virus in the whole state! I’m already unemployed/ homeless. No sense in staying here in N.Y.!” March 20, 2020.

Tribute to San Francisco on a tree in Strivers Row, Harlem. San Fransisco is currently under a shelter in place order to slow the rapid spread of coronavirus. March 20, 2020.

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