Mayor Bill de Blasio took a huge bite out of the Big Apple late on Sunday when he announced New York City that he is closing all nightclubs, movie theaters, and concert venues. His executive order that takes effect at 9 am Tuesday, March 17, also limits restaurants, bars, and cafes to food takeout and delivery.
The city that never sleeps will get a long overdue nap, as de Blasio also announced the suspension of all NYC public schools effective immediately due to the rapidly spreading coronavirus.
“This is not a decision I make lightly,” de Blasio wrote among a series of tweets. “These places are part of the heart and soul of our city. They are part of what it means to be a New Yorker. But our city is facing an unprecedented threat, and we must respond with a wartime mentality.” He added …
The virus can spread rapidly through the close interactions New Yorkers have in restaurants, bars and places where we sit close together. We have to break that cycle. Tomorrow, I will sign an Executive Order limiting restaurants, bars and cafes to food take-out and delivery.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 16, 2020
In one foreboding tweet, the mayor proclaimed that “the crisis will last months and it will get worse before it gets better.”
This crisis will last months and it will get worse before it gets better.
But it will get better.
From September 11th to the financial crisis, the world has always looked to New York City to respond and to lead.
And we always do.It’s time to show that to the world again.
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 15, 2020
Across the nation, governments, organizations, and venues such as resorts are taking unprecedented action to slow the spread of COVID-19 in an effort to flatten the curve on the incoming wave of hospitalizations expected from serious coronavirus cases that could overwhelm medical system capacities.
On Sunday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom called for bars to close throughout the state and he declared that restaurants must cut their seating accommodations by 50% in order to maximize social distancing.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced that his state’s restaurants and bars will be limited to takeout and delivery.
The governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine ordered the closure of all bars and restaurants, as did Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker ordered bars and restaurants to be limited to takeout food.
Other cities and states are anticipated to follow suit.
The ongoing moves are part of a rapid surge in response to the CDC advising the halt to large crowds that can result in the spread of the deadly disease that is sweeping the globe. On Sunday night, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended that, for at least eight weeks, gatherings of more than 50 people be prohibited.
New: Starting immediately and for the next 8 weeks, CDC recommends cancelling all events of 50 or more people. Full recommendation here: https://t.co/LrjUt4rl7B #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/OroIqhTYJo
— CDC (@CDCgov) March 16, 2020
And then there’s this … in the spirit of once again saving us from annihilation, Ahhnold does a timely public service announcement …
Arnold says, “Keep your asses in the house!” https://t.co/nAb7TSZZUz
— Khary Payton (@kharypayton) March 16, 2020
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