COVID-19 Digest: July 2

COVID-19 Digest: July 2

July 02, 2020 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

COVID-19 Digest

Thursday, July 2, 2020

The holiday weekend is upon us, so we’ll keep this brief: here’s our usual summer Friday post — one day early — to send you off on your long weekend: 

  • A quick round of useful updates:

    • Beaches are back open for swimming, but even sunbathing still requires social distancing. (CBS New York) And barbecue areas in NYC parks will reopen for the weekend. (New York Post) NYC is also expanding its Open Streets initiative for restaurants ahead of the weekend. (Eater NY) If you’re staying in the city and want to visit a restaurant offering outdoor dining, here’s a map to help your search. Whatever your plans, remember to do it safely: wear a mask, practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings. That way you avoid getting caught in something like this. 

    • In celebration of the holiday, Macy’s transformed its traditional July 4th fireworks display into six days of shows from secret locations, culminating in a final display on Saturday. (New York Daily News) The locations are kept secret to avoid crowds gathering, but after enduring weeks of nightly illegal fireworks, New Yorkers aren’t exactly running out to see more of them. (Business Insider) There have been lots of theories about where they’re all coming from, but there’s a pretty simple explanation: suppliers from neighboring states with laxer laws. (Slate) Evenso, consumer fireworks are illegal in NYC, and both Mayor de Blasio and Gov. Cuomo have stepped up enforcement. (NPR) Here’s what's legal and not across the Northeast. (Democrat & Chronicle) 

    • It is decidedly not a five-day work week (maybe they’re gone for good?), so here’s a good list of ideas for how to celebrate the long weekend safely, whether you’re doing so from your couch or with family and friends around the barbecue. (New York Times) 

  • We’ll see you in Phase III on Monday! You’ll be able to get a manicure or a massage and play on the city’s outdoor soccer fields and basketball courts, all with safety measures in place. (NY1) But you’ll have to continue waiting to eat indoors at a restaurant. (Gothamist) Here’s more on what to expect on reopening next week. 

  • And before you go, if you haven’t already, be sure to add us ([email protected]) to the contacts in your inbox so future digests don’t get lost. 

See you Monday!