{"id":15436,"date":"2020-07-01T19:14:15","date_gmt":"2020-07-01T23:14:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=15436"},"modified":"2020-07-02T15:17:58","modified_gmt":"2020-07-02T19:17:58","slug":"out-about-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=15436","title":{"rendered":"Out & About"},"content":{"rendered":"

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 04: A view of the fireworks during the 43rd Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks on July 04, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham\/WireImage)<\/figcaption><\/figure>By Paddy McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n

I have not been out and about for now almost four months ,now believe me that is not who I am and boy do I miss the chatter and the atmosphere in the pubs and restaurants and of course the gossip. It has been a trying time to escape this Coronavirus with the wearing of masks and gloves. I think I\u2019m in the wrong profession as I walk around like a doctor, now did you ever think that yourself?<\/p>\n

But we have to look on the bright side of life and that is that hopefully this will be all over soon and be able to look around and say to ourselves that we made it. I know we have it bad here, but back at home in Ireland they have it tougher than we have it here. The reason I am saying that is that they are much smaller communities and are more spread out as well so they don\u2019t have too many choices. Now you have the big cities like Dublin, Belfast, Cork and a few more where they can move around much better and have a lot more possibilities with choices. Yes, you have the beautiful countryside and beaches that you can stroll only most of them are closed according to the information I am getting. I am hoping to travel over around the middle of August if all goes right and things get back to normal with a hope and a prayer. I have never prayed so much for a good result that this pandemic will be gone. I think the man above will forgive me as he probably knows what\u2019s on my mind; ah the thirst, just kidding. <\/p>\n

Now for the news from Ireland. The new Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin, TD<\/strong> was greeted by supporters back in Cork who sang a verse of \u201cThe Banks of My Own Lovely Lee.\u201d His children, Miche\u00e1l, Ado, Aoibhe, and Cillian, lined the street outside his home in Ballinlough alongside his wife Mary and lots of his neighbors who gave him a great welcome as he is also the first Cork Taoiseach since Jack Lynch RIP.<\/p>\n

I have been listing to Governor Cuomo<\/strong> of New York and he might postpone Phase 3 as people are not taking care of themselves and not doing the right thing protecting themselves with this virus. A lot of the businesses are taking all the precautions on safety and some of them are making a mockery of it. Look, you have to play by the rules for all of us to beat this pandemic and I do mean all of us and this thinking that \u201cit won\u2019t happen to me\u201d, well it will if you are not that smart. I do not want to go on and on as I know we are all in it together so let\u2019s beat this thing by protecting one another and pass it on and tell all your friends and family members not to take chances with this virus as it can be very sickening and also deadly, everyone should be careful. Lots of bars and restaurants are sticking to the rules and we will be back better than ever and we will have a couple of pints and some cocktails and dinner out again soon I hope.<\/p>\n

The great Daniel Dromm<\/strong>, member of the New York Council sent me in this information so take heed. From Monday, June 29, each borough will\u00a0get its own brief\u00a0Macy\u2019s July 4 Fireworks Show<\/strong>\u00a0at an unannounced location so as to avoid overcrowding. There will be a finale shown on NBC from 8 – 10 pm the evening of Saturday, July 4. He also said a federal judge ruled yesterday that the city and state cannot ban outdoor religious gatherings.\u00a0Note: when wearing a mask or facial covering, please ensure that it covers both your mouth and nose.\u00a0Otherwise you may be putting yourself and others in harm\u2019s way so please be careful. We hope you are all continuing to stay safe and well! <\/p>\n

Talking about the 4th of July we don\u2019t where the fireworks are going to be displayed until the last minute to be announced. Well I for one will be watching it on TV with my champagne, ha ha ha. Happy Independence Day, or is it? <\/p>\n

New York City has made the decision to launch fireworks every night in the week leading up to US Independence Day on 4 July – but has decided not to tell the public where the fireworks can be seen in an effort to prevent crowds of spectators from gathering. \u201cTo encourage and support Covid-19 safety and social distancing efforts, and mitigate the advance gathering of large crowds for an extended period of time, we have chosen to delight New Yorkers with unannounced displays across the five boroughs this year,\u201d said Macy\u2019s department store, which sponsors the pyrotechnic spectacle.<\/p>\n

The decision has upset some city residents who have pointed to\u00a0months. Now you heard it here it\u2019s all top secret I am sure, write it down you have heard that before I am sure.<\/p>\n

This comes from The Irish Repertory Theatre<\/strong>: \u201cWhile we wait for our safe return to 22nd Street, we remain committed to bringing the show online. Next up in our Summer Digital Season is\u00a0The Irish (Rep)…and How We Got That Way\u00a0on Monday, July 13 at 7pm EDT!\u00a0This special screening of the 1998 World Premiere production of Frank McCourt\u2019s\u00a0The Irish… and How We Got That Way<\/strong>\u00a0is free and open to the public, but we ask that if you are in any position to support us, you might consider\u00a0becoming a VIP\u00a0to access the limited pre-show VIP reception on Zoom!\u00a0If you\u2019d like to attend the screening only,\u00a0you can now register in advance\u00a0for free\u00a0to get a pre-show email with the link directly in your inbox! The screening will be public on the Irish Rep YouTube channel.\u00a0The screening is free to view, but if you can afford to support at this time, we encourage\u00a0donations of $25 per viewer.\u00a0Learn more and RSVP call the box office at (212) 727-2737. Please note, the Box Office will be closed on\u00a0Friday, July 3\u00a0and\u00a0Saturday, July 4.\u201d<\/p>\n

New York City restaurants and bars have been financially devastated and the only thing they can afford less than not reopening now, is to reopen, rehire and resupply to only be shut down again shortly thereafter if there\u2019s a resurgence of Covid-19 cases, similar to the spikes closing businesses around the country. Restaurants and bars have been making enormous financial sacrifices for four months, and their survival now depends on compensation reflective of those losses. We respect the government and public health officials\u2019 decision to postpone the anticipated July 6 reopening of indoor dining, but the longer neighborhood restaurants and bars are forced to be closed, the harder it will be for them to ever successfully reopen. This makes it even more urgent to forgive rent, expand outdoor dining and enact other responsive policies to save our city\u2019s beloved small businesses and jobs.<\/p>\n

That what I have for you this week and I will see you all again WHEN I am Out&About… <\/p>\n

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