News and Reflections by Brad Balfour
It’s the beginning of March 2021, nearly one year after I got coronavirus, that is COVID 19. I lay on my couch, now a covid long-hauler, a victim of a year-long down turn in activity, occasionally having brain fog and stomach turbulence. All this a result of of being sick with the disease back at the start of March through part of April. One day it was my arms and legs on fire; another day, it was as if my lungs were on fire. Then there was the stomach eruptions that kept on the toilet throughput the day. Once I lost all sense of smell and taste, and had the walls of my lungs aching every time I took a breath, I know I hit the jackpot and had the disease.
I think of possibilities long past, of my activities turned upside down, no longer surging out everyday to one event or another whether it be a film screening, live show or a party. In March 2020, my last few events included the gala dinner for St. Patrick’s Day — I interviewed the Grand Marshal — and seeing films in the AMC on 42nd St. Vin Diesel’s Bloodshot and the Blumhouse-produced Fantasy Island remake were the last movies I viewing in a New York theater.
Now, a year later, things are finally opening up. New guidelines have been issued for re-openings in New York City. Indoor dining has been increased to 35% capacity which began on Friday, February 26th. This Friday, March 5th, movie theaters can reopen at 25% capacity with no more than 50 people per screen. I’ve been scanning the AMC again to see what I will see first. I want to go to something fitting to the big screen, maybe director Zack Snyder’s version of Justice League will end up at a theater or maybe one of the award winners such as Nomadland or Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
And though I am unlikely to go, billiard/pool halls reopen at 35% capacity from March 5th on as well. In-person and catered events can resume at the lesser of 50% capacity or 150 people per event beginning on March 15th.
The new Open Culture program, which will run through October 31, allows ticketed, socially distanced, outdoor performances at nearly 200 street locations throughout the five boroughs. For more information on the program, visit nyc.gov/openculture. A video of the event is available.
And as to media production, the Commissioner’s Directive 11 is posted on the Film Permit website. Cast and crew limits on exterior filming on public property can viewed there. To assist productions with promoting safety protocols on set, the Film Office has produced a suite of graphics and posters available for download.
Be sure to check frequently for updates and review the guidelines and FAQ before submitting permit applications. If you have questions, call the Film Office at 212-489-6710. Keep in mind that the Film Office is still operating remotely so allow additional time for Film Permit processing.
Nonetheless, as the New York Times has forcefully noted, “The pandemic is a long way from over. The number of confirmed new cases has stopped falling in the past two weeks, both in the U.S. and worldwide, perhaps because of the spread of highly contagious new virus variants. In the U.S., the average daily number of cases is higher than at almost any point last summer. Over the past week, more than 2,000 Americans have died each day on average — worse than any point last summer.”
As new COVID-19 variants arise, it’s important that we remain vigilant and keep doing what we know works: wear a mask, socially distance, avoid nonessential travel, and get tested. You can find testing locations near you online and check a list of wait times.
Throughout the country, states such as Texas and Mississippi are throwing aside all restrictions. Maybe everybody in those states —particularly their Republican Governors — need to get the Virus so they realize how dangerous it is. It’s not time to lighten up so much. If some of their friends die, they might get the message even more profoundly. It is not the FLU, it is not a COLD, it’s not like any other Virus you have ever had. Take it from me.