Why Is This Happening?

Last night at the seven o’clock hour, I encountered a masked man talking on his phone. He passed me by once and then again. At the time, the streets were alive with the sound of music—the daily salute to “first responders,” et al. On cue: banging pots, applause, blowing car horns, hoots and hollers, and the occasional firecracker. But this particular passerby appeared unaware of this recurring evening ritual and was visibly rattled. From his perspective, he had entered The Twilight Zone, “the middle ground between light and shadow.” The befuddled fellow called over to me: “Why is this happening?” I explained what was going on and he heaved a sigh of relief.

Courtesy of the nice weather this weekend, a lot more people are out and about. I saw New York’s Finest handing out masks at Van Cortlandt Park. Initially, I assumed the considerable police presence there was a social-distancing summons raid on wayward park goers, but I didn’t witness any such confrontations. It’s inevitable, though, that tonight’s local news will chronicle a confrontation or two between law enforcement and the citizenry.

The majority of folks on the streets sported masks or had them at-the-ready to don at a moment’s notice. Some, though, seemed not concerned in the least about masks and social distancing. It’s no big deal in the great outdoors, I suppose. Even on the busy thoroughfares of New York, maintaining sufficient distance is largely doable. I’ve noticed, too, some men and women wearing plastic welder-type masks on top of their face masks. That’s a lot of mask for a warm spring day—a lot of mask for a cold winter one as well. That protective combo in the heat and humidity of summertime would, I suspect, leave a lot to be desired.

Oh, right, it’s a presidential election year. Joe Biden just won the Kansas primary, I see, with exclusively mail ballots. So, it's likely to be Donald Trump versus Joe Biden? Is this the best we got! Actually, it’s the stuff of nightmares. As New York State will go Democratic come hell or high water, I have the luxury of not voting for old, addled, touchy-feely Joe, who would be wise to keep his yap shut between now and November. Just sayin’, Democratic brain-trust, whomever you are: There’s still time to tap a younger candidate who can utter a coherent sentence. If Biden is the nominee, I think I’ll cast a write-in vote for perennial presidential timber, Harold Stassen, and he’s been dead for nineteen years.

Speaking of politicians: I’m happy to say that Andrew Cuomo has risen to the moment—theatrically speaking. His takedown of Mitch McConnell is must-see TV. I’ve watched it dozens of times. I realize the governor is not a fan of The Godfather movies, but I’d say that he nicely pulled a Moe Greene vis-à-vis the old turtle McConnell: “You don’t bail me out. I bail you out!” While I’m impressed and reassured with Cuomo’s daily briefings, I wish he would do away with that New York Strong parting salvo and loving denouement. It’s kind of cloying and bit bizarre, too. But that’s nitpicking, I suppose, in these troubled times.

As for my mayor, Bill de Blasio, I never watch his morning briefings. There’s just something about the guy. Foremost, he did an awful job in the run-up to the pandemic hitting home. His tone and manner are off-putting. De Blasio has something of a Frankenstein-quality about him—Herman Munster without the endearing charm. But, hey, we're all in this together and this too shall pass…I think.

(Photos from the personal collection of Nicholas Nigro)