Why New York will get through this: We will survive the coronavirus pandemic because of our people

1. Why New York will get through this: We will survive
the coronavirus pandemic because of our people
Anupdey
Apr 6 · 4 min read
We are in what the singer Vic Chestnutt called “the panic pure,” the state of mind
gripped by fear, death, and despair. We are seeing mounting death totals in New York,
now totaling 4,758. The city is considering using public parks as temporary burial sites,
and by some estimates, we aren’t even halfway through this crisis. We remain locked in,
vulnerable and terri ed.
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But amidst this horror, we need to remember that we not only live in the strongest city
in the world, but we are the source of that strength. Our history is lled with examples
of how we have always been the leaders we were waiting for.
In March 1911, when a factory re killed 146 workers, New Yorkers mourned and then
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2. pushed their state to become a model of reform to all protect workers. In the early 20th
century, we invented public housing and public health, along with countless of other
reforms showing the country that you never give up on neighbors.
In the depths of the Great Depression, we created the New Deal before it moved to
Washington.
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When New York City was on the brink of bankruptcy in the 1970s, it wasn’t the federal
government or the state that saved us; it was our city workers and their unions who put
their pension funds on the line.
When we get knocked down, we mourn and cry, but we get up more resolved. This
tenacity in times of crisis has been an example to the world. The Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks were the most recent example that showed how we lean on each other in
tragedy, coming together rst in grief, then in action.
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Today our doctors, nurses, and rst responders gear up every day for battle. We see the
sel ess bravery of average New Yorkers pushed to do something bigger than
themselves. Our educators are distributing grab-and-go meals for anyone who needs
them. Our teachers took the largest school system on-line because of their singular
dedication and love of this city and its students. We are doing more because we know
more is what is needed.
With the economy in free fall, our hospital systems overwhelmed, our children at home,
universities and cultural institutions closed, and thousands of small businesses
shuttered, our neighborhoods are in their darkest hour. This is a de ning generational
moment, and I have little doubt that we will do what New Yorkers always have done,
mourn and then step up to show America how to deal with adversity.
New Yorkers are connected because we know we have to be. Every evening we hear the
cheers that echo empty streets at 7 p.m. for health-care workers. While the cheers are
for them, the mere act reminds us we are not alone, nor are we abandoned. We have
each other, and that is enough.
When this is over, and it will eventually be over, let’s not forget this strength. Let’s not
allow our country to go back to how we used to be, sel sh, petty and small. Let’s
remember who we are as New Yorkers and lead the world once again.
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I am reminded of the 1971 Marvin Gaye song, “What’s Going On.” It speaks to today like
a message in a bottle: “Mother, mother, There’s too many of you crying. Brother,
brother, brother, there’s far too many of you dying.” Written 50 years ago about a world
lled with despair and hopelessness, it pushes us to not give up but to be the solution. Its
message is simple and powerful: “You know we’ve got to nd a way to bring some lovin’

3. here today.” Let New York teach America again how to bring the love we need in this
time of crisis.
Greenwald is a professor of history and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at
Fair eld University.
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. . .
Originally published at https://www.nydailynews.com on April 6, 2020. some external
links are added later in between which are not an original part of the content
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