New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is totally fine with New Yorkers taking the subway, with all of its germs and bacteria, but they absolutely cannot eat indoors at restaurants despite the low risk of coronavirus that these activities pose.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is totally fine with New Yorkers taking the subway, with all of its germs and bacteria, but they absolutely cannot eat indoors at restaurants despite the low risk of coronavirus that these activities pose.
Speaking to the press on Monday de Blasio said that restaurants would have to remain closed for indoor dining during this holiday season.
WATCH: NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio will not give a timeline as to how long the city will force the restaurant industry to remain closed. pic.twitter.com/YGqkGsfSvH
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"These are going to be tough weeks," he said in response to a question about how long New York's restaurant industry would have to suffer as the government refused to let them operate.
"December and January are going to be very tough. We're looking at this constant growth of the disease in this second wave, and it's really really worrisome. This action that the state took was necessary. But the governor said in a New York Times interview over the weekend that we should be prepared for a full shut down and I agree with that.
"We need to recognize that that may be coming and we've got to get ready for that now and we cannot let this virus keep growing, especially at a moment when we are finally getting a vaccine and can turn a corner. December is very tough, January is very tough, but after that we get a chance to really come back strong."
However, at the same press conference, he said that transit is perfectly fine and that New Yorkers should get on board the MTA.
"It is important to let people know the subways are safe. I like the idea of having a period of time to really emphasize to people that they are safe by being out there," he said, before promising to take a ride on the subway himself.
The transmission rate at restaurants for indoor dining is 1.4 percent, as has been established by the city's own contact and trace program. The MTA has been shown to not be a hot bed of coronavirus spread.
The restrictions on restaurants in New York are forcing businesses out of operation and putting hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers out of work. Perhaps restauranteurs should take a page out of de Blasio's book and open up shop on the uptown A train.
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