The Omikron variant now dominates the infection process in the USA. Even if the CDC recently revised its estimates of the distribution of the new variant downwards, the proportion has risen significantly since the beginning of December, and for the week up to December 25, the agency expects around 59 percent. According to figures from Johns Hopkins University on Wednesday, an average of 265,427 CoV cases were reported in the United States within 24 hours – a new high since the pandemic began.
In New York, the Omikron share is now said to be over 90 percent – at the beginning of the month it was still below three percent. The reasons for the rapid increase in the number of cases are similar to those at the beginning of the pandemic. Many New Yorkers live in confined spaces and spend a lot of time on public transit – having a car is less common than anywhere else in the United States. “In addition, this time many people are no longer willing to drastically change their leisure time behavior,” wrote the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”.
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There will be no lockdowns for the time being
The city is apparently taking this into account and is not taking rigorous measures for the time being. There are hardly any official instructions, but some cultural, leisure facilities and restaurants close on their own initiative. On Monday, for example, Apple announced that it would close its retail stores in New York – the risk of infection is simply too high. There are currently around 700,000 active CoV cases in the city, that would be almost every twelfth resident.
Comparatively high vaccination regulations and quota
The vaccination regulations in New York are stricter than in the rest of the USA: As of this week, everyone who works in the city must have a vaccination – this applies to both the public and the private sector. The mandatory vaccination required as part of the “Key to New York City” program affects around 184,000 stores and companies. The order goes further than the nationwide compulsory vaccination imposed by US President Joe Biden for companies with more than 100 employees from the beginning of January. This has been temporarily suspended by the courts.
The vaccination rate in New York is correspondingly high: 72 percent of the approximately 8.4 million inhabitants are fully vaccinated, compared to only 61 percent in the entire United States. In order to go to the theater, a pub or a fitness studio, everyone over the age of twelve must prove to have been vaccinated since mid-September.
Bans also for those under the age of twelve
At the beginning of December, Mayor Bill de Blasio extended this requirement to include children between the ages of five and eleven. “We have to make sure that children in this age group are vaccinated. Parents, we need you for the benefit of your children, your family, all of us, so that your child can be vaccinated, “explained de Blasio on December 6.” That is why we will include you in the ‘Key to NYC’. “
This new provision caused trouble around the holidays, tourism and local operators would be inflicted considerable damage, according to the criticism. According to the New York Post, employees of several restaurants reported that they had to turn away dozens of guests in the past few days – and that at a time when the industry is struggling to recover from pandemic closings and restrictions.
De Blasio replied that he wanted to address the plight of restaurateurs and tourism professionals, but that “ultimately the most important task is to protect people”. Unvaccinated guests could still eat outside – but that doesn’t seem very attractive when the temperature is below zero at night.
More children’s hospitalizations
Recent reports from the New York health authorities appear to support the mayor’s decision: Since the beginning of the month, “a four-fold increase in Covid-19 hospital admissions for children under the age of 18 has been noted”. The number rose from 22 hospitalized in early December to 109 most recently. “We’re making New Yorkers aware of this surge in child hospitalizations so that pediatricians, parents and guardians can take immediate action to protect our youngest New Yorkers.” said New York State Health Commissioner Mary Bassett.
New Year’s Eve party on a smaller scale
However, there is a somewhat conciliatory message in the midst of the dreariness: The city is currently very far from horror numbers such as in spring 2020, when up to 800 people died every day. The seven-day average is currently 19 – but that too is doubling compared to the beginning of the month.
This year, in contrast to last year, New York does not want to miss the traditional New Year’s Eve party in Times Square. The celebration will also be broadcast live on television and on the Internet – including the “ball drop”, the lowering of a shining crystal ball on a flagpole, and performances by numerous stars. On the square itself, however, it will be quieter than before the pandemic: Instead of around 58,000 people, only 15,000 are allowed – there is also a mask and vaccination certificate requirement.
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