NYC comptroller calls for city shutdown

[left-of-center2012]

Source: The Hill

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer (D) called for a city-wide shutdown, including closing bars and restaurants, on Sunday as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread.

“The way to get out of crisis is to act logically and strategically,” Stringer tweeted. “Logic says we need universal testing but that’s sadly not happening. Strategy says we need more aggressive social distancing.”
“That is why today, out of an abundance of caution, I am calling for a city shutdown,” he added.

Stringer said only essential services should remain open, meaning bars, restaurants and movie theaters would close. He also repeated his call for the city schools to be shut down. “We cannot go on with business as usual,” he said. “This is about all of us. This is about protecting our most vulnerable. Lives are at stake and there’s no time to waste. We have to flatten the curve.”

He added that he is aware of the consequences, as comptroller and a public school parent, but said the consequences of not acting “will be even more drastic”

Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/487648-nyc-comptroller-calls-for-city-shutdown

[DarthDem]

1. He's Right, Sadly

This needs to happen.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. NJ Governor contemplating statewide curfew

just saw on the news. The time is now. Waiting for the numbers to go up is crazy. They will go up anyway.

[Newest Reality]

3. That's pragmatic.

Of course, a lot of this is precipitated by the lack of early response and shortage of testing.

So, along with the illness and death, I guess we are going to be flushing a vast number of Americans and their families down the economic toilet as well. The viral curve will flatten and the paycheck-to-paycheck folks will also be flattened by the steamroller of fewer or no more hours at work. The homeless will also be impacted greatly without the luxury of a place to sequester themselves for long periods or the ability to stock up on anything. Bye!!!!

That's heartbreaking. I am already hearing about the results anecdotally.

[Talitha]

4. Treat the situation like it's already out of control.

Don't act like it's yesterday or eventually you might not have a tomorrow.

[jmowreader]

5. One teeny problem

In NYC, restaurants ARE an essential service. Grocery prices are high enough there that unless you have a car to drive to a supermarket outside the urban core, it’s as cheap to eat out as it is to eat in. So, that’s what a lot of people do.

[SummerSnow]

6. People will need a place to eat if they cannot buy food from the markets. Not such a good idea.