When COVID 19 first hit the New York, New Jersey area it was mid-March. I was halfway through my 15-week class at the International School of Tourism & Hospitality Management at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Hackensack, New Jersey. The university closed and the teachers were instructed to finish their classes online. I learned about Zoom and was able to finish my class in the 8 weeks remaining. But it was not the same. There were no tastings. I only used the textbook- The Wine Bible- 2nd edition and the online wine course I had co-authored for the New York Times Knowledge Network (which no longer exists) and FDU that now owns the course. I told my students I would contact them when FDU opens up for in-person classes and invite them to lunch and to sample many of the wines left over.
The first month of isolation was not bad. Hamza Zaman and his wife Chelsea and their newborn Cyrus had moved to their home in lower Sullivan county. They had lived in the back part of my large (4 bedrooms) Upper West Side apartment. They had their own small bathroom as well as a large bedroom. She was on maternity leave and his company had him working from home as they temporarily closed their New York office. My only companion was Renoir, my 13-year-old rescue cat. I have been in bed most nights by 9 PM. He often sleeps next to me and licks my face around 6 AM. Time to get up and feed me, Daddy.
I have my local pharmacist across the street. Ditto, my vet, and physical therapy studio. Twice a month (thank you Medicare) I did PT with Alyssa. Once a week I did yoga with Adrienne (15th year). As the weather improved, we moved outdoors. First to the Natural History Museum at Central Park West & 77th Street and recently to Riverside Park & 80th Street.
The first month indoors I watched CBS All Access (free trial) that included Mrs. Maisel, Bosch, etc. Then every Netflix adventure and crime movie. This was after taping HBO & Showtime shows I liked. I have spoken to most of my friends and relatives just to say hello. Sunday early afternoon is my time to shop at my local CVS drug store. I am told I am the #2 customer in the amount of money spent at that location. CVS keeps sending me coupons for 30% off and free this and that. I have been getting deliveries from the Whole Foods located at Columbus Circle & a few local restaurants (most are closed, maybe forever).
I would sit on the bench at 79th Street and Broadway that was a few feet from my building entrance and read. As the weather warmed up, I spent 2 hours a day on that bench. I was dubbed The King of 79th Street. For the first 2 months of lockdown, I watched the 79th Street crosstown and uptown and downtown M104 buses. Maybe 2 or 3 people per bus. I have not ventured into the subway with both uptown and downtown #1 trains on my corners. Don’t tell me I live on the perfect street. I already know that. Did I mention the uptown & downtown West Side Highway are both 2 blocks away? With the Black Lives Matter protests a few blocks away I stay away from the Columbus Circle area.
It was the Saturday before New York City reopened when I started this blog. DSW shoe warehouse is getting ready to reopen. Work has resumed on a new restaurant across from my place. Zabar’s has always remained open (it did close its café). God bless Sol Zabar who is 94 and still working. He & my Dad were friends. I will not eat at the reopened restaurants probably until the fall. I don’t want to take any chances with my health. I take my temperature at least 3 times a day & it has remained normal. I have received a face shield in addition to my masks. I can at least breathe using the face shield.
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