I would include pools in this article. Manhattan Youth no longer has lane swimming and as far as I know BMCC and Stuyvesant have not opened their pools for lane swimming. — Heide Fasnacht on How will our local studios survive?

I spoke to a nurse at Dr. office today and she told me she went to get scheduled vaccine last week and when she showed up her appointment was canceled. Looking forward for all this to change. — j. on Finding a vaccine in the neighborhood

I find it mind boggling and upsetting. Small Studioshave much greater over sight than a large gym. Yoga, Pilates, mediation classes can all be done outside as well in parks with heat lamps and weather permitting. The opening of gyms and not small local studios is beyond me. I am not in favor personally of being physically inside either during this pandemic time due to my personal health and what I feel is best. But per the regulations it really angers and saddens me as Studios have a special place in my heart. — j. on How will our local studios survive?

The wonderful Yoga Vida studio also closed. It's heartbreaking to lose these small businesses that had such a personal connection with Tribeca residents — Remington on How will our local studios survive?

Now that King Cuomo’s archnemesis Trump is out of office, the Governor will make science-based decisions. — Bobbie on How will our local studios survive?

I'd like to add something that I posted on these pages a few years ago when I had the opportunity to observe the Independence Plaza buildings from an elevated level a few blocks north. I saw that these were well-proportioned, highly functional modernist designs that were really quite exciting, especially in the context of the time they were built. They exuded optimism and a feeling of monumentality that could have anchored a neighborhood of completely different complexion, and whose history might have taken a very different course, possibly for the better in terms of the vitality of the city. Those buildings are worthy of higher praise, imo. — David G. Imber on Designer of Independence Plaza dies at 82

I completely agree that small businesses have been disproportionately hit, particularly in NYC during the pandemic. It's maddening that the rules are made and enforced so unevenly across the state and amongst different types of businesses. That said, I will note that while the larger gyms are open, they are not hosting any in person classes. It's all solo workouts. And yes, masks, social distancing and capacity rules are in place and enforced. I do respect the point that having a few people in a low impact yoga class is probably just as safe as someone sprinting and sweating on a treadmill...but no fitness facility seems to be allowed to host classes so that is consistent, even if not logical. I wish the best to the studios in the neighborhood! — Lisa on How will our local studios survive?

great article and 100 percent true. Other parts of New York state are open safely. Other states also. We are getting killed here in the city with our small businesses. When will it end. — New York on How will our local studios survive?

Glad this issue finally got some attention. As life moved outdoors, noise of all kinds also followed, from restaurants to rooftop parties to terrace gatherings. All unchecked in 2020. For every transgression there was a Covid sympathy voice to counter complaint. If it’s true that all the outdoor dining is going to be permanent, the city really need to come up with a comprehensive plan. Right now it’s still a free for all, unregulated building frenzy, not sustainable in the long run. — R. on The streets will now be even quieter…

Same for our large tech company (very large # of NYC employees). In the press, our execs are suggesting a return maybe this summer, but quietly telling us that we will not be back until 2022. I sense they want to sound optimistic for goodwill and reputations in the press. We are also being told that unless a liability shield or some legal protection is provided by the state, the company is not going to allow employees to attend conferences or dine out with clients. They are all afraid of the lawsuits...the downside of such a litigious society. — Sammy on In the News: Office towers are still empty

Their liquor license did not allow for any live music - so it doesn't matter if it was incidental or not, loud or not, amplified or not. They knew this too. There were so many complaints that the SLA got involved. They are lucky their liquor license wasn't immediately revoked. — DeeDee on The streets will now be even quieter…

We could hear it a block and a half away through closed windows and over the TV. They must have had a friend at the precinct because after a call to 311 they would go quiet pretty darn quickly, then start up again a half hour later. Glad it was shut down for good. — Anon on The streets will now be even quieter…

It was not good while it lasted. There were hundreds of complaints from neighbors about the live music on the sidewalk. Sure it may be festive if you only walked by once in a while, but having to endure it nightly for half a year was torture. 1803 never had a permit for live music even before Covid, not even for their indoor shows. They were violating their liquor license from the start. The first precinct and community board had addressed the issue with 1803 multiple times, they ignored any advice to self police. They decided to ignore that advice. I assure you, if you lived within hearing distance of the live band and had to hear it nightly against your wishes, you would have wanted it shut down as well. — DeeDee on The streets will now be even quieter…

Whether you are working in the office or from home, you are employed! I have been trying to get a job since my layoff in July. I've applied to Amex downtown and at least 100 other companies and crickets is all I hear! I'd give anything to work from home or go into the office but I don't even get a response from the companies I apply to. You are ALL very lucky! Sad times indeed! — Marjorie on In the News: Office towers are still empty

Wow. What an inspirational young talent. Go Oliver! — j. on Kids These Days: Oliver Boydell and his book, “He’s Got Moves”

what an inspiring story! can't wait to hear more about Oscar in the future! — urban cowgirl on Kids These Days: Oliver Boydell and his book, “He’s Got Moves”

I have seen music at both these places since covid started and although some of the bands were not my taste i go to music before covid 5 nights a week in nyc...its what makes this city and makes alot of people happy. if you pay attention to anything in the news so many small venues have closed because they got no respect from this city or goverment and finally got something on the last stimulus after millions of people have begged for help. YOU are worried about a little music goign to 9pm at 1803..you joking...you know how many musicians, venues, sercurity, engineers, sound, lighting, etc are out of work....Why dont you read this below and then think how annoying some great jazz is that is totally free....post this tribeca tribune instead of silly BS becasue this city needs money and all this scumbag mayor is doing is keep putting restaurants out of business day by day...nothing left really down in tribeca its sickening....22 year resident and have seen the ups and downs...this up is not coming for a long time. Read below...I dont think a little music to keep these places open and these musicians from making a few bucks hurts anyone... Look at the numbers…. More people work on Broadway than in the entire coal industry. 92,000 vs. 52,000 More people work in live entertainment than the entire airline industry. 12 million vs 10.2 million. Other industries are getting all the attention. American Airlines said they would lay off 20,000 employees and it was front page news. We are behind the scenes so crickets… - Live events employ over 12 million people. - Live events Contribute to over 1 Trillion annually to the US economy - 77% of people in the live events industry have lost 100% of their income, including 97% of 1099 workers - 12 dollars gets contributed to local economies for every dollar spent on tickets. Hotels, restaurants, bars, etc. - 95% of live events have been cancelled due to COVID-19. - 96% of companies have cut staff and/or wages. You would be SHOCKED if you knew how many people it takes to put on your favorite show. MOST tours have more people supporting it than on stage. Broadway is now remaining closed through May. Meaning they are offering refunds for everything up until May 30. Likely they will be closed through September. ANOTHER YEAR! This ‘likely’ means large touring acts will not start until then as well. OUR INDUSTRY IS STRUGGLING. — adam glassman on The streets will now be even quieter…

I work at a global bank in midtown and we have about 1000 people in our office. Our return continues to be voluntary, and while we have been allowed to have up to 50% capacity since October, the reality is that most people are staying home. Trading desks and a few others are more populated, but only about 5-10% of investment bankers are coming into the office on any given day. Until the vaccine is more widely available, businesses in midtown are allowed to reopen (lunch spots, etc) and schools are on a more consistent in-person schedule, I don't see how that changes. Labor Day seems like the earliest we get back to any sense of "normalcy". — Lisa on In the News: Office towers are still empty

Our company has advised that our work from home situation is now extended through Labor Day with employees being allowed into the office on an as needed basis. — TribecaMom on In the News: Office towers are still empty

I agree. Welcome to the neighborhood Cocoon. Settle down people; I am feeling confident the owners will follow all the city rules. — TG on CB1 Licensing Committee approves beer and wine license for Cocoon

Walking down good memory lane of oh sooo many moons ago....Tommy Tangs for Thai...Incinerator Chili on Church... close by to Westside Coffee c. Sometime in the 70s? North River bar on Hudson...Magoos....Chanterelle,Thai House Cafe on Hudson , Sosa Borella on Greenwich...that Dinko-Rama Chicken Shack( forgot the name)Hey we can’t forget CornerStone that gave away hot chicken wings to our kidlets on Halloween...and when David Boule had that amazing little take out place with the most delicious organic rotisserie chickens, yummy little stacks of butter cookies in glassine sleeves, and bar none the BEST hot croissant with butter rich shireed eggs, freshly grated Parmesan and hand sliced smoke ham... ooh and duck confit in his take out “salad bar “... homemade ice cream... yum o licious! And what about “Bread” And Arqua and Peter Dent where I was the buyer/manager in the early 80s Pre Bubbys ( we bought pies from Bubbys toward the end, made the mayonnaise from scratch daily carried Croissant + from Collette’s French Bakery uptown , Orwasher’s, H and H , Zagreb Ham ... it was a mini Dean and DeLuca’s way ahead of his time as Peter had come from Dean and DeLuca’s having been their Cheese buyer.. yummy memories xoxox Be here now and let’s spread the love! We have a new president! Let’s rejoice ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ — Paddington on The Odeon responds to The New Yorker

from the VacinneFinder site today: "The website is closed. We have no appointments available at this time. This message will be removed if we have appointments available in the future." — Janet on Finding a vaccine in the neighborhood

urban renewal is an improvement over the rundown obsolete Washington Market buildings and streetscape. missing are the local landmarks like the Market Diner and the workers burning trash in steel drums. — perryo Rothenberg on Designer of Independence Plaza dies at 82

Houseman is our favorite neighborhood restaurant. The food "rocks" and we are so glad that the spirit of perseverance just flows out of the everything they do to make it through this challenging time. TriBeCa! Keep ordering Neds unbelievable food so we can all meet up and fill his dining room soon! — Jerry on Local Business Update: Beyond the pivot at Houseman

I work at one of these large banks and can tell you that we are now taliking about a very small number of additional people potentially coming back in Q4 at the earliest. Most of my friends at large companies such as banks, tech, advertising, media are being told discreetly by their managers that they will not be back in the office this year, even if they are vaccinated by June or July. You are most likely looking at 30% coming back at the end of Q1 next year and then 50% by June and perhaps 75%+ towards the end of next year assuming a very smooth vaccination process of a large percentage of the population. This is the reality of what is discussed with the employees regardless of what the landlords or media want to suggest. — Peter on In the News: Office towers are still empty