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usually so lively, Times Square is at a standstill

It is one of the most famous districts of New York, known throughout the world: Times Square. It reflects what is happening in the United States. This neighborhood, so lively, is at a standstill. At the moment Times Square is a visible concentrate of what New York is going through: closed restaurants and businesses, silence and even desolation. It is usually the bright and festive showcase of New York. In 2019, 66.5 million people visited the city, as if the entire French population came here once a year.

And of course that number, there must be very few that haven’t made it to Times Square. Today there are still the illuminated signs, which make you feel like it is daylight even at night. There are a few souvenir shops open, but almost all of them are empty, it’s a stationary neighborhood. And then Times Square, it is also the Broadway shows: however, they are all suspended. Chicago, Harry Potter, Aladin, The Music Man with Hugh Jackman. Each time, taped to the storefront, this message: closed.

Without the shows and without tourists, Times Square is sad and the crowd no longer hides the misery. There are a lot of homeless people. This is also what we had seen in France during the first confinement, especially in large cities. Normally, 380,000 people walk through Times Square every day. Right now, it’s just over 100,000. Necessarily, the homeless are more visible.

Time before a return to normal

The Times Square Shopkeepers Association estimates that there are twice as many rough sleepers in Times Square compared to last year. An aggravating factor for these unfortunate people is the metro which is usually open all night. It closes from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. to be disinfected. Many homeless centers were closed, with the Covid, there was too much promiscuity. The town hall has offered alternatives in hotels in central New York, but that created tensions. And then, it was mostly tourists who donated money.

As for New Yorkers, they also often have financial worries. Many traders fear that Times Square will not regain its pre-health crisis luster. What is certain, is that it will take time. Theaters and performance venues are supposed to reopen in early June. And again, if all goes well. In particular if the vaccination campaign is a success.

No New Years Eve on December 31

Experts estimate that New York will not return to full economic activity before 2024. In the meantime, these next few months, Times Square is going to be a place of passage, more than a pole of attraction. The NY Times relates the story of this couple from California, who came to spend their honeymoon in New York. They wanted to dine in Times Square, everything was closed. They spent their honeymoon meal in a famous fast food chain. Finally, for the eve of December 31, no crowd under the famous luminous ball to celebrate the new year. It will be necessary to watch on television.

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