Photo by Danny Daly on Central Park West.
January 25, 2021 Weather: Partly cloudy, with a high of 38 degrees.
Notices:
Our calendar has local and virtual events.
News:
A man was critically injured in a hit-and-run, chain-reaction crash on Saturday night around 9 p.m., at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and West 93rd Street, ABC7NY reported. “Police say the victim stopped at a red light and got out of his car to open his trunk, with another car stopped behind him. Then, a black BMW barreled into the second car, pushing it forward and pinning the victim, according to authorities. The BMW fled the scene and the victim is in the hospital.”
Despite frigid temperatures, loyal patrons are drinking and dining outside at places like St. James Gate, on Amsterdam Avenue and West 81st Street. “Layered in three coats, leggings under jeans and wool socks, [Genevieve] Feldmann, 35, said the cold did not discourage her from making it to the pub, where she has become a fixture along with a crowd of other regulars eager to support the restaurant. It is one of her rare opportunities to be social, and she doesn’t mind dressing for the occasion,” The New York Times wrote.
As 1,800 undergraduates return to Columbia University for the spring semester amid a recalcitrant pandemic, the Columbia Spectator explores the psychology of risk taking, and ways of encouraging responsible behavior. “Dr. Linda Valeri, an assistant professor of biostatistics at Mailman School of Public Health, said that shaming rule-breakers is not the best route forward. Continuous messaging about a culture of respect, as well as organizing safe, outdoor activities and restructuring classes to encourage more small-group work, can show students that college life can continue to be social in a safe way.”
Changes are happening at Columbia on the academic front as well, the Spectator reported. “Rather than falling victim to COVID-19 complacency, professors redesigned old courses and introduced curated COVID-19 courses. Rachel Adams, the English and comparative literature professor teaching the course Advanced Topics in Medical Humanities, catered her syllabus to COVID-19 by shining light on the social inequalities related to economic relief. “I was like, ‘How can we teach a class on medical humanities that’s not about the pandemic?’” Adams said. “I mean, it just is so relevant, it would be weird if we acted like that wasn’t the medical issue that was on all of our minds.”
I’ve enjoyed eating out in the cold! It’s an adventure and I feel as though I’m testing my endurance. I’ve probably gone out 2-3 times a week to my favorite spots in the neighborhood, rain, snow or cold.
As someone with a frequently late working husband, I go out alone many nights and fine outdoor dining a little less intimidating.
I’ll be very glad when it’s over, but trying to appreciate some of the unique aspects of this time in history.
The rules which exist for outdoor will not be revoked even if corona virus disappears.
Outdoor dining will become a permanent and loved feature of the New York City landscape.
I also enjoy eating out in cold weather. It is invigorating to the Nth degree.
Beautiful hawk – and photograph! Thank you, Danny Daly, for sharing it.
“recalcitrant”
Nice. I needed to look that one up.
I can’t say I enjoy eating a “hot” meal in winter outside. This is ridiculous. I’m forced to go to work in my office but I can’t even sit inside a cafe six feet apart? Over it.
Presumably you wear a mask at work and can be fired for not adhering to COVID imposed requirements. The sam does not hold true for restaurants. But I’m sure we all agree that we wish to be “over it.”
Curious comment about not “shaming the rule-breakers”???
If someone is irresponsible/endangering others and perpetuating the pandemic, isn’t that kind of the definition of “shameful”???
You may be right about that, but the issue is whether you want to satisfy your sense of justice by shaming someone, or change someone’s behavior by using a more effective approach.
Good insight, Christian— thank you
Love me some St James Gate. Their chicken pot pie is always amazing.