Even though the New York PAUSE order and social distancing rules are still in effect, many parts of NYC this past weekend looked like a regular spring day in the city.
With sunshine and temperatures in the ’70s, New Yorkers piled out of their apartments into the nearest green spaces. And some appeared to be disregarding social distancing (mostly in Manhattan).
One of the biggest offenders seemed to be the Christopher Street Pier in the West Village (part of Hudson River Park). Many photos and videos shared on social media show people sunbathing as usual, seemingly crammed into the green spaces.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_viHjKDm_C/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_vfp25A3-4/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_vdTP3DeHC/
Still, some claim that it is the photo angles that makes it look so crowded, as you can see from this user’s photo slides of the same space from different sides. Vice also suggests that photos lack depth perception, which can also make crowds appear more intense. Those videos, on the other hand…
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_vWvBnDdRN/
Though the pier has limited green space, even larger parks like Central Park looked like another regular spring day in NYC:
Social distancing collapses in Central Park.
That’s an area never used for sunbathing. pic.twitter.com/XETZUvncqC
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) May 2, 2020
why does central park today look like a park in a city that's NOT FACING A MAJOR PANDEMIC?!!??!
do something, these people are not responsibly socially distancing!!! pic.twitter.com/gONo5JoGKB
— Kk77 (@kk7796) May 2, 2020
New York had thousands of people in Central Park this weekend failing to social distance or wear PPE.
You know what else New York has? Almost 325,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and nearly 25,000 deaths. pic.twitter.com/V5ce1tRLHg
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) May 3, 2020
Washington Square Park also appeared to be a hotspot:
People not social distancing at Washington square park!! Enforce! Laying out like it is the beach!! Where is the tough love to bring us back to normalcy!! Disgrace @MarkLevineNYC @NYCMayor @NYGovCuomo pic.twitter.com/vdx8ElzWEq
— Barrett (@lblume79) May 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/AngelieJhovanna/status/1257304916512706560
If you do venture outside, remember that face masks are required (if you cannot stay six feet apart from others) and NYC is now giving out 7.5 million for free.
featured image source: Instagram / @m.swaim