I spent 6 days in New York as part of my son's high school drama trip. We maxed out the available time-Broadway, museums, shopping, eating, Times Square, Wall Street, etc.
Also, the lifestyle of the city structure intrigues me. My urban planning classes developed an appreciation for the multi-modal life leveraging public transportation with subways and walking. We walked roughly 10 miles daily according to the step counting crowd.
Trip of a lifetime for those kids. The city was alive, vibrant, fast, and loud. Another normal NYC week in other words.
That has all changed. COVID-19 bubbled to the surface quickly engulfing several New York counties and eventually the city boroughs. Governor Cuomo quickly declared a state of emergency and the state responded. Schools are closed, streets are quiet, restaurants and bars are desolate. Life has changed.
My daily routine changed. I self-isolated for a brief period due to this trip. The viral spread rendered that irrelevant so I returned today but to a skeletal staff with most faculty working remotely as we prepare for full online course delivery. Also, the streaming church service I "attended" set a new spiritual standard. It actually did.
How long will this last? I clearly have no idea like most people. However, God remains in control and always will. That much I do know.
As we work thought this together, I feel called to discuss the various ways life has changed and where things go from here. The markets, work, social life, schools, the economy, and even church. My goal during this unprecedented time is to shine a light on these realities and create a forum for people to share their challenges and concerns.
This is also a forum of hope. We will discuss how great leaders handled difficult times and what scripture tells us about trials. Of course, I will not neglect elections, policy, etc.
Hope you can join us!
It's definitely been an adjustment these past few months, but I think God is using this time to teach us more about him and his glory! I agree with what Cosette that this is a perfect time to grow closer in our walks and relationships with Christ.
Thank you for sharing this! I got the chance to visit my friends in New York in October. It was the first time I had been, and it felt like a movie. It was the first place I had been that lived up to all of the hype and reputation that people have given it. I loved it! It's so crazy to think that the city is now asleep, people aren't rushing around times square and broadway musicals aren't being performed and all of that. I think the US has done a good job of controlling what they can right now... but I would love to see more recognition among society of how God is in control. He is so…
Professor Sullivan, I think it's so crazy what the American government has done in these few weeks. However, I am not an American but I still hope Americans can have a good job on this COVID-19 because the fight ticket is much crazier than usual. Politics is a sensitive subject, but I think Americans can have a better solution.
I like how during this time of uncertainty we are able to have outlets like this and people to remind us that even though we are uncertain, God is not. I think it is so crazy how as Americans we quickly went from not knowing anything/or very little about the Corona virus, to not having anything else to talk about besides it. I have talked to a lot of friends during this time and something that is always present during the conversation is that we always think and pray about wanting life to slow down. And now that we actually have that chance, we have no idea what to do with ourselves.
For Spring Break, I took a trip to Paris, France for the entirety of the week. The Friday we left, the outbreak was minimal and we thought we would be fine, however the next Thursday we stayed in our hotel room the entire day due to the fear the outbreak had caused. President Trump had also issued the travel ban and thus required us to come back quick and then self-isolate for 14 days after returning. It was an interesting time for sure and in the week I was in Paris, it was outstanding how quickly the virus spread.