For drivers like José, the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly – which took over Midtown East on Monday – has been, since the inauguration, a headache.
“It is completely congested. We know that whenever the United Nations week is there, there is always congestion, but add to this the construction and repairs of streets and it is chaos. But we have to be patient. It is our job,” explained José Ruiz, Uber driver.
The Mexican taxi driver, who makes a living driving and bringing Uber passengers, is aware that unlike in 2020 – when the session was held almost entirely virtually due to the pandemic – more than 100 world leaders will pronounce their speeches this year here in person.
The first of them will be Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who boasted of challenging the existing vaccination mandate for visitors, for which the UN indicated that no proof is required for heads of state.
For others like an MTA bus driver, the massive street closures and the sea of agents from the NYPD, Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security and other agencies, is an impressive display.
“A vice today. I don’t know what is happening. I imagine the president is here but there is a lot of security,” said the driver.
With local authorities receiving President Biden amid concerns that the world’s largest diplomatic convocation could become, in addition to a terrorist target, a “COVID super-spread event”, among those who work in neighboring buildings to the UN, there was optimism.
“I have seen it differently, it is a little more relaxed compared to other years when it has been more closed,” said another New Yorker.
“They bring business and you have to do what is good for the country and for the world,” added another neighbor.
“This is normal every year, so you have to stick to consequences and schedules,” said another worker.
For those New Yorkers who have to drive their vehicle or approach this area, the recommendation is that they consult our Spectrum News App to find out which streets will be closed, for how long, and thus be able to move more agilely.
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