How Quarantine Affected New Yorkers: The Stories of Our Immigrants

In just a few weeks, a city that never sleeps has changed beyond recognition. The quarantine made its own adjustments to the behavior of citizens. About how he now lives, it says in the video of the publication "Voice of America".

Because of the coronavirus, New York's crazy everyday rhythm has virtually stopped. The megalopolis has been fighting the virus for several weeks now. The epidemic has already claimed the lives of almost 8 thousand people, while in hospitals there are 33 thousand patients. Today the city looks devastated.

The first restrictions due to the coronavirus in New York were introduced on March 13. About a week later, the authorities ordered the closure of the entire business, except for the vital. To adapt to the new reality, the townspeople took several weeks.

At first, many were skeptical about the information about the virus. However, the news that someone from friends or acquaintances was ill helped to realize the seriousness of the situation. “Among my acquaintances there were people who were in hospitals and did not survive,” said New Yorker Dora Khomyak. Of course, you want the virus not to touch you personally or other people, but it is becoming "more and more real," she said.

Understanding that the situation is really dangerous encourages citizens to be more cautious. People began to wear masks, and in the streets they try to adhere to the rules of social distance.

Another resident of the city, Maria Genkin, said that even during quarantine, there are too many people in city parks. “Every time I went to the park, there were too many people for my comfort,” she said.

She also talked about the incident that happened to her friend: the girl remained in quarantine for three weeks, and when she went out for the first time, she immediately became infected.

On the subject: Quarantine continues: all mass events in New York canceled before the end of June

Family members Genkin try not to go outside unless absolutely necessary. They do not use the elevator, preferring the stairs, and the purchases are unpacked with rubber gloves in a common corridor.

Genkin also said that now she does not order food at her favorite restaurants, because she does not know who cooks it. Therefore, now she cooks at home, noting that she is calmer.

New Yorkers got an interesting tradition during quarantine. Every evening they go to the balconies and applaud the doctors. Dora Hamster said that she has been living in her apartment for 25 years. But only now she first saw her neighbors living in the house opposite, when they began to go out on the balcony to support medical workers.

Some New Yorkers worry that the epidemic will change the face of the city, others are convinced that this is not so simple. After all, in its history New York has survived many epidemicsbut managed to keep his spirit.