New York City is in need of serious help. Broadway’s been closed for over a year. The entire city looks deserted in comparison to its normally bustling streets. The Big Apple has been slowly rotting because of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s leadership.
Now, it appears that maybe there’s some ripe fruit left to be had. There’s a reopening plan in place – and NYC could be open by July 1.
It wasn’t that long ago that New York City was the epicenter of COVID-19. The city got hit…and it got hit hard. Schools closed, businesses closed, and people were dying.
Now that the vaccines are providing protection and many people have developed herd immunity, it seems that the mayor is finally ready to listen to science.
De Blasio was on MSNBC to talk about the full reopening plan where he says, “We are ready for stores to open, for businesses to open, offices, theaters — full strength.”
It’s about time. The city has been struggling to maintain its financial stability because of its significant dependence on tourism. When restaurants are closed and Broadway plays are off the marquees, it’s hard to bring in the crowds.
“Our plan is to fully reopen New York City on July 1” —@NYCMayor pic.twitter.com/2CqSC9XqJr
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) April 29, 2021
With an open economy, the city can be more self-sufficient. They won’t have to continue holding out their hands for more government bailouts. And to think, De Blasio could have done this months ago. However, it was easier for him to watch the city fail. He watched the economy plummet knowing that he could have done something.
Shutdowns began in the city in March 2020. Then, as other cities and states began opening things back up, New York City stayed in lockdown.
Why? Why not open up like everyone else.
Much of it has to do with the new cases per 100,000, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). New York City alone has been reporting 150.3 cases per 100,000 in comparison to the per capita of the entire state of Texas. Texas is experiencing a per capita of only 71 cases per 100,000 and it is not only without a mask mandate but is also 100% open.
New York City seems to be struggling. They’re not lifting their mask mandates but they are seeing more people with vaccinations. In fact, it’s been estimated that the state of New York is at 32.6% of the population being vaccinated.
So, is this great news? It is for any tourist who has been looking to head to the Big Apple and enjoy themselves with all that the city has to offer. However, it still shows that New York City is struggling with the numbers.
Much of it has to do with Democratic leadership. All across the country, Democrats are confusing the messages. Get vaccinated but wear a mask. Well, which is it? People don’t want to have to get poked AND be suffocated by a mask. There has to be a trade-off – and most people aren’t eager to get vaccinated if they know they’ll still have to wear a mask everywhere.
It may take opening the city up 100% before it’s possible to see the cases dropping. Why? Herd immunity. It’s not something that Dr. Fauci wants to talk about now, but he was once in favor of it.
As soon as New York City starts to see the rise in tourism, it can help them to gain their financial footing, too. Then, as more cities learn from NYC, they, too, can open and gain financial independence. It may be enough to convince the Democrats on Capitol Hill that it’s not necessary to send out yet another stimulus bill.
Just watch. If the government stops bailing out all of these liberal cities, they’ll open back up and flourish. People are ready to get back out there – and NYC opening shows that the country may actually be heading in the right direction. Now, if only De Blasio would get out of his own way…
