I’ve been working from home and keeping myself isolated for two weeks since the corona virus issue escalated in the US. Technically I’ve been officially isolated for one week since Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order mandating New Yorkers to stay home went into effect March 22 at 8:00 p.m.
I am a very introverted person. I generally prefer to keep to myself although I do like seeing and ocasionally interacting other people, so the isolation doesn’t really bother me the way it would some others. I keep a very small circle of friends with whom I remain in contact. However, now when I venture out of my home, it’s very weird, for lack of a better word, to see little to no people outside, especially on days when the temperatures are close to 60 degrees and the skies are clear.
I work in IT as a Systems Support Technician. My job, and the entire Information Technology industry, is considered essential because we provide technological support to our clients, ensuring their systems are working and they can continue to be productive. But since my job can be done any location, there is no need for me to venture outside of my home. There are many essential personnel here in New York that do not have that luxury, transit workers, medical personnel, police and so many other first responders.
New York has turned into a ghost town. The city that never sleeps has to now dormant. I’ve been here for 30 years and I’ve never seen anything like it. During daylight hours there are less people outside then there would normally be at 2:00 a.m. Subway station hubs are empty. So many stores are closed. People are standing outside on line, six feet apart, for pick-up orders at restaurants where they would normally sit and enjoy each other’s company. A local CVS has an attendant at the front door making sure people are sufficiently spaced when entering and leaving. Lines are drawn on the sidewalks to indicate where people on line should stand to ensure they remain distant.
New York is a city where you always had to be light on your feet in order to not bump into people while navigating your way through crowded sidewalks and stores. Now there’s hardly anyone outside and the one’s you do see will skirt around or even cross the street to put added space between you and them. Add to that the masks and latex gloves people are wearing and it seems like we are living in a dystopian society in a bad Hollywood movie.
On the plus side, I’m getting a little more sleep and me-time since I don’t have to commute into work, and I actually like working from home.
I don’t know how long this is going to go on, but I am certain that New York City will never be the same again. So I will continue to move forward and flow with the changes as they come.