In our July 2 edition, after four months of being cooped up at home, we asked readers how they coped through the shutdown, and how they were adapting to the “new normal” as the City entered Phase III of the reopening plan.

 

Actually, the new normal has been great for me. I’m the owner of a boutique in Harlem and a liquor brand owner, so for me I haven’t had problems, except for having to close my doors and not have my regular clients come through. But because liquor is essential, we all love to drink. It’s been a wonderful experience. I thank God that I went through it because I’m able to give a ministry after and say I went through it and this is how I came out of it.                              Louis Johnson, Jr., Harlem, N.Y.

 

Oh, it’s been crazy, it’s been a little up and a little down, but the best thing of it all is we are still here. The new normal came a little fast with stores opening up and more people out. In a way, yes, they opened too soon, but we can’t stop what the system is saying. I hope the Yankees play again, because that’s my team. I think slowly, eventually, they will come back. I hope they do because I love watching the games.                                                                              Delphine Sanders, Norwood

 

It’s been kind of crazy, I don’t like it, I don’t really believe this is real. I’m a Trump supporter. I don’t support everything he does but he’s a good president – better choice than crooked Hillary, or senile Joe. This virus is just a means to control. I’m not saying it’s not real, but it’s not killing people like they say it is. I don’t believe the mainstream media, the MSNBC. It’s a lot of BS. They should stop censoring people on YouTube and let people provide information, and let the public decide for themselves.

                                      Jessie Solomon, Fordham

 

Life is hard, and I think it’s going to get worse. Having a trache in the age of the coronavirus – it’s very hard. For me, it’s been a day-to-day struggle not being able to go shopping because everything is closed, and it’s hard to breathe. As for Yankee games, I see them playing games without the fans.

John Hand, Norwood

 

Since I’m in a wheelchair for two years now and get few visits from family and friends, it seems like everyone is catching up to my level of isolation. The quarantine of all the nursing homes has prevented me from seeing my 89-year-old mother, and a half a dozen friends since mid-March. A book and internet reading program that I was planning to work for closed down permanently last month. I’m doing okay financially but even a short illness will knock me out financially.

                                      Glen Leahey, Van Cortlandt Village