New York City’s mayor, Bil de Blasio, is trying to keep citizens calm amid the growing fears of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mayor recently suggested how fellow New Yorkers shouldn’t fear using public transport. Meanwhile, his announcement comes as more and more individuals ditch public means of transport such as subways. And that’s because they fear the growing spread of the COVID-19 virus through such means.
On the other hand, the New York City mayor responded to one reporter’s suggestion regarding the issue. Here, the reporter suggested how the mayor should personally ditch his private SUV and driver, and opt for the subways for a week. This would pave way for others to do the same.
Therefore, the mayor agreed to set a leading example for his city’s people. And that means replacing private luxury with public means. The act intends to encourage a greater population of New Yorkers to head back towards mass transit.
Bill de Blasio expressed how it was important for others to know that all of the subways are safe for use. The mayor made this very statement at a recent public press briefing. This isn’t the first time that the mayor expressed his desire to convince others of safety.
Recently, the mayor also expressed his desire to take the COVID-19 vaccination amid rising concerns.
“I really adore the idea of taking out the time to emphasize to others that they are safe,” de Blasio explained to a reporter for StreetsBlog.
On the other hand, the mayor is yet to eat at an indoor restaurant, ever since the pandemic began. In the same way, he hasn’t taken the subway yet, despite encouraging others of the same.
Today, New York’s subway ridership stands at 1.7 million trips on an average day. This is after significant drops in the starting weeks as well as months since the pandemic. Overall, New Yorkers are avoiding trains as well as buses with the fear of virus contraction in such close quarters.