Had you fallen asleep, say, a month ago and awakened today, you might check your calendar to be sure that it is indeed Wednesday, not Sunday or a holiday. Your favorite stores, restaurants and public venues are closed, or open for only a few hours. And there's practically no motorized traffic on the streets, save for men--almost all of them are men, and immigrants at that--delivering food on motorized or electric bikes.
I also notice, surprisingly, fewer people on bicycles. Since cycling is still allowed, as long as cyclists keep their "social distance" (2 meters or 6 feet), this is somewhat surprising. Also, I would think that some people who still have to go to work might ride bikes, whether because the buses or trains they normally take are running less often or not at all, or because they wouldn't want to get on a bus or train--or share a car with anybody.
But the Citibike racks are close to full, and bikes that are normally parked overnight have remained on the streets for weeks. I wonder whether their owners ride only to work or school, or are too scared to go out. (I've heard more than a few people say they planned to shut themselves in this week.) Or--might they be sick, or worse?
Across the street from that Schwinn chained to the lightpole, I saw a sign that it is indeed early spring:
As the cliche goes, life springs eternal, even in the face of disease and death.
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