2020 has brought with it all manner of big changes to our lives. The rise of COVID-19 is continuing to affect our work, our hygiene, and even the way that we socialize. For the people of Manhattan and New York State, it’s been a particularly rough ride.
New York State has suffered its share of cases and fatalities so far this year. With vaccines reportedly just around the corner to help us adapt to the coronavirus, hope is in sight. However, thousands of us have already started adapting to a safer lifestyle led indoors. In a place as bright and exciting as Manhattan, it’s been a very difficult period for citizens to say the very least.
How are the people of Manhattan adjusting to living indoors? There’s plenty of entertainment at hand, at least. Whether it’s in the shape of video on demand or casino bonus deals – a Mohegan Sun bonus code won’t go amiss in these times – we are arguably fortunate to be experiencing such problems in an age of high information and fun on demand.
However, it has all had a profound effect on people’s mental health. This is, of course, a unique situation that is completely new to us all.
Online shopping booms
Of course, a huge impact of staying indoors is the fact that shopping outdoors is limited. This effect has been felt hugely in NYC, as it’s reported that as many as 5,000 small businesses, maybe more, closed down permanently since spring this year – and this was just at the start of the pandemic’s effects on the state, and the nation.
NYC arguably felt the impact of COVID-19 earlier than most. Ongoing misinformation regarding the impact of coronavirus on the nation, and warring ideologies regarding wearing and not wearing masks, may have exacerbated anxiety.
Public markets are, of course, the heart of Manhattan. There’s widespread concern that the old market scene may fail to get back on its feet again. However, if there’s one thing that the safest Manhattanites are keeping up, it’s hope.
Manhattan in flux
There are various reports suggesting that Manhattan, in particular, is in flux. Some statistics suggest an 86% increase in properties going up for sale during the pandemic. This would suggest that some of those most scared by the pandemic, and the way that things are progressing in New York State, are upping and leaving for the sake of their health.
However, despite the concerns that Manhattanites are leaving in force, urban policy expert Professor Mitchell Moss suggests that there are more people holding firm in the suburbs than doom-laden statistics would suggest. Moss claims that there are people with vulnerable family members, and those who were already supporting each other, who are rooted in the region.
This, alone, could mean that there is hope left in Manhattan’s famous local business scene. Yes, there are examples of businesses shutting their doors, with more than 100,000 having folded in the spring – but there are local business owners and proprietors who have faith that things will turn around.
Keeping emotionally healthy
Manhattan, and NYC in general, is at the epicenter of COVID-19 in the US. It’s here where anxiety is likely to be peaking. Spread of harmful ‘fake news’ and conjecture over masks notwithstanding, it is the uncertainty that is leading people to worry about what comes next.
However, hope is on the horizon. Manhattanites, even those who maintain fledgling businesses, are adapting and evolving. As we head towards a year since COVID-19 emerged in the West, the most successful business owners in the local scenes are offering delivery services, takeout, and more. It is simply a case of keeping people as safe as possible.
President-elect Joe Biden’s recent creation of a COVID-19 taskforce, as well as news that various vaccines against coronavirus appear promising, and are potentially available for spring 2021, offer further hope. However, it is still very much a case of ‘playing the waiting game.’
Manhattan will survive
NYC’s citizens are under more pressure than most, perhaps, when it comes to facing the brunt of COVID-19. However, there is no need to get disheartened.
Big changes, it appears, are on the way. Businesses are adapting, and Manhattanites are keeping each other safe and entertained thanks to a wealth of TV, movies, games, online courses, home-working opportunities, and more at their disposal. Connecting with each other online via video has never been more convenient.
Manhattan is continuing to evolve indoors – meaning that by the time that vaccines (hopefully) come into play in 2021, citizens will be ready to resume a new sense of normality.