Fear and Loathing in New York: The City Becomes the Epicenter of An International Pandemic
Words by Zachary Franck | Photos by Ross Citrin
Unsettling. That is the word I would use to describe this feeling. It washes over me like the raindrops on my windshield. My current surroundings represent my inner self at this moment in time. It’s dark and the rain is falling faster now. My windshield wipers move back and forth, back and forth, left to right, east to west, over and over again… still, they are no match for the rain. I turn my high beams on and press my foot on the gas. It’s Saturday night, at 8pm, and the New York State Thruway is completely empty. The darkness has become emboldened, and it’s beginning to engulf us.
Besides a short stint in Philadelphia, and an even shorter stint in California, the Empire State has always, and will always, be my home. I was born in Beth Israel hospital on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and I grew up in the Hudson Valley. New York is carved into my essence, for better or for worse. With that being said, I’ve never seen it like this, and it’s only just beginning. There is a certain heaviness in the air like I’ve never felt before. It’s unbeknownst to us.
The absolute evil and wickedness that took place on September 11th brought my city to its knees. During the weeks that followed, New Yorkers bound together through their shared instincts of loyalty, grit, and pride – rooted in the purest love imaginable. The melting pot that is New York City showed its true colors, and now it is going to have to show them once again.
As the COVID 19 virus continues to spread, and the panic begins to set in, New Yorkers are starting to realize that life is about to drastically change. Some things may never be the same again. The reality of the situation is one of uncertainty. We were warned, but a lot of us didn’t listen. Even some of the highest paid professionals were unwilling to accept the incoming tidal wave as it approached. Well, now it’s here.
Stocks are plummeting. Businesses are shut down. Employees are out of work. Hospitals are overcrowded. People are dying every day. These are scenes from movies, ones that we’ve all experienced through a screen from the safety of our homes. Not anymore. There’s no need for special effects or added dramatics in the world that we’re currently living in. So, sit up straight and prepare yourself for the worst, because the worst is yet to come.
In this day and age, when information is readily accessible, it’s a sin to stay willingly uninformed. Especially now that New York is the epicenter of the international pandemic. But at the same time, when does ingesting headline after headline, and hashtag after hashtag, become too much. There’s a line in the sand. It’s different for everybody, and it’s up to you to stand where you feel you belong. Feed your need for knowledge without swallowing too much bullshit in the process. In times of crisis, misinformation and disinformation, spreads like wildfire. Be aware of that and act accordingly.
Do not be naïve. Things aren’t going to be fixed overnight. The system is already fragile and the game has only just begun. You can be fully aware of the severity of the situation without being inherently pessimistic. Every New Yorker that is getting up and going to work every day to serve their fellow citizens deserve praise. These individuals are the nuts and bolts that prevent this whole thing from collapsing. They are silent warriors fighting an enemy that only shows itself after it attacks. Without them, there would be no lights in this sea of darkness.
The sun will rise. The sun will set. The moon will rise. The moon will set. The cycle of life will continue on. This black cloud will eventually pass. The city that never sleeps will once again shine like diamonds in the summer sun. The suburbs will regain their pulse. People will flock to the lakes and mountains upstate. Pray for the day that we’ll be able to look back on these terrible times through the lens of past tense. When that day comes, we will be grateful for our lives and all of the people in them, with all of its intricacies and all of their idiosyncrasies. Love and fearlessness will replace the fear and loathing in New York, but for now, all is quiet. Be safe.
