2-Depas- COVID-19 In order to maintain some level of control over Covid-19, New York City provided several key locations in which testing was administered. For example, most public schools had testing done for students and staffs. In addition, there were several locations (and up to now) on sidewalks, set up for testing. This photograph depicts a testing site, on the sidewalk, by a playground in The Bronx.

3-Depas- COVID-19 Of the several approaches that were taken to prevent the virus from getting out of control was to ensure a high quality of sanitation in all public facilities. As a result, it was necessary to close the subway system, at night, so that it could be disinfected and kept clean. This is a photograph of the Union Square station, with the sign that indicates the closing hours, during which the station would be clean.

4-Depas- COVID-19 As it was known that this virus spreads through the air, social distancing of individuals was recommended to be at least 6 feet apart. To guaranty that this Was done, the city as well as facilities that provide services to the public, would place markers on the floor, to indicate where people should stand. This photograph, with footprint within yellow square, depicts the location that was safe for a person to practice social distancing.

5-Depas- COVID-19 Social distancing was, also, practiced inside public buses; there was a separation, with chains and plastic, between the driver and the passengers. This was necessary to ensure that the driver did not catch the virus from passengers. This approach was considered to be of utmost important, in order to continue providing transportation for the public. This photograph depicts this dividing line, with instruction for the passengers to maintain a safe distance from the driver.

6-Depas- COVID-19 As a measure of precaution, to prevent the virus from spreading, it was necessary to have most people staying home. Consequently, there were very few people on the streets and public transportation was very low. This photograph depicts a subway station (West 145 St. and St. Nicolas Ave. in Harlem, NYC.) that is practically empty. In this panoramic view, on the far left is the downtown side of the station, while on the far right is the uptown side, and in the middle is a train waiting for its schedule for departure. This panoramic view of the station was possible because the train had its doors opened on both sides of the car.

7-Depas- COVID-19 Not only that people who travel by public transportation stayed home, those who commute in their cars and other motor vehicles, such as delivery trucks, did not take to the streets. As a result, most of the city streets had very little traffic. This photograph depicts an empty 10th Ave., on the west side of lower Manhattan. Because there were no vehicles on this street, it was taken over by pigeons. If one looks closely, you can see some of the pigeons are lying on the floor.

8-Depas- COVID-19 In order to ensure that people adhere to the recommendation of staying 6 feet apart, these signs were posted all over the city. In some cases, the signs were done with creative application that would motivate individuals to practice social distance. This is one of those signs, by the waterfront, with a creative approach:

9-Depas- COVID-19 To reinforce the notion of social distance, the approach was to put signs where ever it is known that people would socialize. Social distancing was practiced even in the city parks. This photograph, taken in Fort Green Park – Brooklyn, is an example of that consideration.

10-Depas- COVID-19 In addition to 6 feet social distancing, while standing, it was also recommended that individual sits at least one seat apart. This photograph of Liberty Plaza (the location that was used for Occupied Wall Street demonstration) in downtown Manhattan depicts the seating recommendation for social distancing.

11-Depas- COVID-19 This photograph depicts the iconic Rockefeller Plaza Center, with only security Guards, in attendance. On the floor, in front of the Golden Prometheus statue, written in the colors blue, white and red, is the statement: New York State - #New York Strong. A statement that was used to elevate the spirit of the people.

12-Depas- COVID-19 This photograph depicts the lake at the south side of Central Park, one of the most well know and visited location of New York City. In this panoramic view of the photograph, on the left side one sees west 59 street going toward 8th Ave. On the right side of the image is west 59th street, looking toward 5th Ave. In both of these street’s views as well as inside the park, an area that is usually crowded with pedestrians and vehicles, there are very few peoples and only parked cars.

13-Depas- COVID-19 This photograph depicts the inside waiting area of Pen-Station, of the Long Island Rail Road another well-known location of New York City. As can be seen, in the photo, the station is practically empty.

14-Depas- COVID-19 Despite the restriction that COVID-19 has imposed on our daily lives, most institutions tried their best to find creative approach in providing events to continue experience life to the fullest. This photograph depicts a creative solution of an outdoor art exhibition by The Hispanic Society of America, located at Broadway and West 155th street in Manhattan. Clearly visible, are marking on the floor for viewing the work and arrows for pedestrian flow.

15-Depas- COVID-19 Restaurants too needed to find a creative approach to keep their customers happy. This photograph depicts a mini outdoor bar, where people can order alcoholic beverages to go. This location is on West 32nd street, near Broadway, in Manhattan.

16-Depas- COVID-19 This photograph of an outdoor seating area, with a TV monitor, depicts the extent that restaurants would go to satisfy their costumers; so that they could stay in business. This location is on East 14th street, near First Ave. in Manhattan, NY.

17-Depas- COVID-19 This photograph depicts an outdoor restaurant area, design with the comfort of a couch, with plants, pictures and books; a setting that invokes the comfortable feeling of one own’s private home. The food on the table was ordered by the photographer, so that he could have an authentic experience of the setting. He ate it all and enjoyed it. This is on the upper west side, in Manhattan, NY.

18-Depas- COVID-19 This photo depicts the practice of social distance inside a shoe repair shop. In the seating area, for shoe shine, the center seat had a sign on it, indicating the practice of social distance.

19-Depas- COVID-19 Even when we managed to gain some control over the virus, people were still required to were mask. This photograph depicts the practice of wearing mask while interacting with another individual. This photo depicts the photographer getting a pedicure; he too was wearing a mask.

20-Depas- COVID-19 As much as most people were trying to maintain their calm and live a peaceful life, there were quite a few individuals who did not believe in the practice of social distance and would protest against any regulation. This photograph is a depiction of this action by an individual at Union Square, in Manhattan, NY.

21-Depas- COVID-19 Despites the major difficulties that Covid-19 has imposed on our daily lives, we found ways to make light of this most tragic situation. This photograph, of the Atlas statue wearing a mask, is a depiction of how we injected a degree of humor in our lives that lessen the burden on our depression. The statue is located on 5th Ave, right across St Patrick Cathedral, in midtown Manhattan, NY.

22-Depas- COVID-19 On the upper east side of 5th Ave, one block north of the Metropolitan Museum, this photograph captures the images of three teddy bears sitting on a window, wearing mask. The teddy bear, on the left side of the photo has a sign next to it that reads: Sending Love from A Distance. The teddy bear on the right side of the photo also has a sign that reads: #NYSTRONG. This is another example of how we lessened the burden of Covid-19.

23-Depas- COVID-19 This photograph, of another photographer, is another example of concern for our own health while on the job. She was taking photos at the 2022 Easter Bonnets parade on 5th Ave, in midtown Manhattan, NY. Since this event was very crowded, wearing mask was absolutely necessary.

24-Depas- COVID-19 Even after we were told that we could attend public events without wearing mask, some of us would continue to carry a mask. While walking the streets, one could see the many ways that we carry our mask when not wearing them on our face - on our arm, around our neck, by our side. For some, this becomes a fashion statement. At time our mask would have elaborate design and coordinated with our cloth. This photograph is a depiction of this fashion consideration. This was taken at a flower event in the Greenwich village, NYC.

25-Depas- COVID-19 An activity that comes out of COVID-19 is the business of selling masks. Almost in every street corner, in Manhattan there was someone selling masks. Some stores and shops, also, would have a collection of masks for sell, side by side with their regular merchandises. This photo depicts one of those instances. Along with a small poster telling you that they sell masks, they had a creative display with flowers and two teddy bears wearing masks.

26-Depas- COVID-19 This photo, taken in front of St. Patrick Cathedral depicts the first Easter-Sunday with COVID-19. In that first year of the pandemic most events were cancelled. Easter Sunday service at St. Patrick Cathedral was one of them. So too, was the Easter Bonnet parade. As a result, no one came out to show their very best costume and bonnet. However, there was one brave soul dressed in such a way that he represented a cross. As he was the only person with a costume, the few photographers who were there gave him all the attention he desired. This photo depicts that first Easter-Sunday, with COVIID-19.

27-Depas- COVID-19 As we were making our way out of the pandemic, slowly, we were making adjustment to enjoy life again. During that moment, we embraced what has been accepted as the New-Normal. In this novel approach to enjoy everyday activities, we added wearing masks as part of our New-Normal. This photo of musicians, wearing masks, playing at Union Square in Manhattan, NY depicts that consideration for this New-Normal.

28-Depas- COVID-19 This photo depicts a group of young girls, all wearing the same style outfit, same color, same shoes and also same mask that matches the color of their outfit. This is clearly an adaptation to our New-Normal. In this photo, one can safely made the statement that wearing mask has been fully incorporated in our fashion. It should also be noted, in the front, a girl in pink outfit; there was a group wearing pink outfit and wearing pink mask. This event was the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, 2022.

29-Depas- COVID-19 This photo of the matching band wearing black uniform and black mask is another example of our New-Normal. This is a photo from the parade to give thanks to the First Responders who were in the frontline taking care of the sicks. The parade took place on Broadway, in lower Manhattan, NY.

30-Depas- COVID-19 This photo depicts a coordinated group of people, each holding a letter of the alphabet, when put together reads THANK YOU. The location of this photo marks the terminal end for the parade giving thanks to the First-Responders. Note, The Freedom Tower behind this group holding the THANK YOU sign. Note as well, none of them are wearing mask, including the police officer, on the left of the photo. This coordinated group saying THANK YOU, with the Freedom Tower, standing tall in the background, brings to mind the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – We are Free at last.