The City is About to ‘PAUSE’ to Contain the Virus; At Least Smoked Fish Was Deemed ‘Essential’
Broadway was empty on Sunday. Photo by Keith Marder.
New York has become a strange new universe because of the coronavirus, and restrictions being put in place starting Sunday night at 8 p.m. will certify what’s already become clear — anything that isn’t connected to people’s health and welfare is shutting down. Social distancing will become a rule — don’t gather with other people, any interactions should be spaced at least six feet apart, etc. You should only go on the subway when it’s absolutely necessary.
Gothamist has a very good rundown of how this will work, including lots of nitty-gritty questions about dental care, laundry and most of your other worries. Here’s the state’s website on what’s “essential.”
Make no mistake — the rules, the growing number of illnesses, this is all…totally devastating. But we’re all in this together (albeit separately!). We at West Side Rag will be doing our best to chronicle it all, brainstorming the best ways to live well and stay healthy on the UWS, and passing along good information from much smarter people.
Through all of it, humans are not going to change. Like Ira Goller at Murray’s Sturgeon Shop, a true Upper West Side treasure on Broadway between 89th and 90th Streets. He sent us this message: “NY state just learned what everyone else knew… that Murray’s Sturgeon Shop is essential. We will continue our normal business hours; 8am-6:45pm 7 days per week.”
Is this gonnna change essential stores’ hours? I went to west side market yesterday, and he said they are still open 24 hours, but i don’t know if the edict is still true after tonight.
Strange strange times we live in.
I adore Murray’s Sturgeon, but it’s a very small and narrow space, with little room for maintaining the 6-feet NECESSARY for social distancing. At most, it could accommodate three customers at a time. Will people really be so careful, as they MUST? It’s crucial for the survival of people and the business as well.
Thanks, WSR
All Murray’s had to do is limit the number of people entering the store. Exactly as many other businesses are doing.
Re small shops like Murrays: Orwashers, also small, has put up a sign requesting 6-foot distancing and asking customers to wait outside if it’s not possible to keep safey apart in the store. Zabar’s has Purell wipes at the door.
Fairway on Broadway appears not to be aware of the new rules of life. They continue to operate the self serve open buffet. They do not observe the enforcement of 6 foot distance and do not regulate the amount of people entering.
That’s true! No purell or anti-bacterial wipes in Fairway and anyone wanting to get COVID 19 just needs to self serve at the Hot Bar!!
Are you serious?! I thought buffets were all closed?! Can someone with social media skills (decidedly not myself) put this information in the appropriate direction?
Thank you, WSR, for continuing to be there to keep us informed and connected with each other. You are all doing a great job and are appreciated!
I thought take out and delivery have both been prohibited as of today.
For y’all’s sake, I hope bagels are also essential. Just got a fresh shipment from Zabars.
WF has just enacted a 50 shopper limit per store for all of NYC. This means unless a store is virtually empty people will be waiting on line outside for entry.
https://nypost.com/2020/03/24/nyc-whole-foods-enacts-50-shopper-limit-amid-coronavirus/