And things seem to be moving forward despite today’s announcement that indoor restaurant dining is postponed indefinitely.

According to more than 57,000 records in the 311 complaint record real-time dataset, Pavement Pieces found that the daily social distancing related complaint numbers were lower in the reopening, compared with the period of lockdown.

 Here’s a list of top ten locations where  social distancing violations were reported in 14 days of  Phase  One.

During the three-month lockdown, Brooklyn witnessed more social distancing complaints than the other four boroughs in the city. But with the city reopening its manufacturing, wholesale supply chain, and curbside pickup, Manhattan has more complaints  followed by Brooklyn and then Queens. Commercial places or stores see more social distancing violations, while people in playgrounds or parks tend to report less incidents.

Below is a list of the top ten locations with the most social distancing  violations reported in  14 days of  the Phase One reopening.

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But now, as the warm spring weather graces New York City, Brooklynites who have previously been in isolating in their homes to prevent the spread of COV-19, have come out to enjoy the changing weather.

Prospect Park, the second largest park in Brooklyn which surrounds  five neighborhoods, has become a popular gathering spot for many.

NYPD parked in front of Grand Army Plaza at Prospect Park. May 10th, 2020. Photo by Bessie Liu

Children playing kites with their father on Mother’s Day. May 10th, 2020. Photo by Bessie Liu

Bikers exercising at Prospect Park on a sunny Sunday. May 10th, 2020. Photo by Bessie Liu

Man standing on branches and dancing. May 10th, 2020. Photo by Bessie Liu

Couple enjoys the sunshine on hammock. May 3rd, 2020. Photo by Bessie Liu

Man following social distancing guidelines enjoying sunshine at park bench. May 10th, 2020. Photo by Bessie Liu

New Yorkers out to enjoy the sun on Mother’s Day. May 10th, 2020. Photo by Bessie Liu

Signs reminding New Yorkers to remain six feet apart at all times. May 10th, 2020. Photo by Bessie Liu

Intersection of Fort Hamilton Parkway and Ocean Parkway which leads to the Machate Circle. May 10th, 2020. Photo by Bessie Liu

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Social distancing and self-isolation haven’t been easy for anyone. And depending on where you are and what your circumstances are, this situation can be much harder and take a much greater toll on peoples’ lives.

I consider myself very lucky and am not taking any of the comforts I’ve been allowed to enjoy for granted.

Enjoying the hidden backyard sanctuaries around our house and going on my daily walks through our typically suburban neighborhood helped me keep my sanity and find solace.

Distantly waving and shouting “Hi” and “Good Morning” to other people walking their dogs around the neighborhood, has made me feel less isolated and gives me a sense of unity – a sense of “we’re all in this together.”

The silver lining to all this is that in being “forced” to slow down and discover the hidden treasures and normally unnoticed details around me.

Vicky, my stepmother, smells a rose in our neighbor Fesser’s backyard, April 20, 2020. Photo by Susanne Schweitzer

Every day I walk one to one and a half hours through our neighborhood. East Dallas, Texas, April 23, 2020. Photo by Susanne Schweitzer

Wooden buddha statue surrounded by mini buddha heads in our neighbor Fesser’s backyard, April 27, 2020. Photo by Susanne Schweitzer

Early morning, my neighbor’s property, April 23, 2020. Photo by Susanne Schweitzer

A rare moment to seeing so many people out during lockdown, March 31, 2020. Photo by Susanne Schweitzer

Vicky, my stepmother, keeps her mask on after returning from the supermarket to help with the pollen in the air, April 10, 2020. Photo by Susanne Schweitzer

The neighborhood has a mix of classic suburban and mid-century modern homes, April 23, 2020. Photo by Susanne Schweitzer

As spring begins, bees are also starting to pollinate, April 20, 2020. Photo by Susanne Schweitzer

Our yorkie-poodle mix Lola sits in the car as my father, Dieter, approaches to wave us goodbye, March 27, 2020. Photo by Susanne Schweitzer

A cactus flower in our yard after a morning rain, April 19, 2020. Photo by Susanne Schweitzer

In a recent storm, the trunk of this tree cracked, but it still continues to grow, April 25, 2020. Photo by Susanne Schweitzer

A pair of abandoned shoes I encountered during one of my walks, April 8, 2020. Photo by Susanne Schweitzer

A wild peacock peeks into the window beside our front door, April 3, 2020. Photo by Susanne Schweitzer

A woman in the neighborhood listens to music while pulling weeds in front of her house, April 6, 2020. Photo by Susanne Schweitzer

This is a project of  Lori Grinker’s  NYU graduate photojournalism class.

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As if preparing for a hurricane, plywood covers store windows on just about every block. With retail stores deemed nonessential, and high-end shopping being Soho’s main draw, the streets are now eerily empty. 

This is a look inside Soho during the shutdown.

12 Prince Street boarded up, April 22, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A sticker depicting cartoon ducks wearing gas masks reads, “Keep your ducks in a row safely…Apart!” April 22, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A person passes Kate Space in Soho, April 22, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A person cycles through empty streets in Soho, April 22, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A person hoists a grocery delivery to the roof using a hook and string to avoid in person contact, April 22, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Postal workers pause to chat, April 22, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A t-shirt depicting Gov. Andrew Cuomo hangs in a window, April 22, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A crossing guard monitors an intersection, April 22, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

A person walks down Broadway, April 22, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

Louis Vuitton boarded up, April 22, 2020. Photo by Thomas Hengge

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Three weeks ago, whether it was in preparation for a spring break trip, or planning months in advance for a summer getaway,  this was the attitude of many wanderlust filled millennials, as they booked flights for record low prices to enticing destinations like Las Vegas and Miami.   

Despite the World Health Organization declaring the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic in the U.S on March 11, and pleas from the CDC and White House directly aimed at them to quarantine, or to practice social distancing, many pressed toward their departure gate.  However, not every millennial ignored the coronavirus threat.

T’Klah Fields, 23, a Houston native now living in Brooklyn, admits she initially didn’t take the idea of quarantining seriously, but when she saw the numbers of cases rising, she quickly changed her mind.  

“Once the quarantine took full effect, I began to count my blessings and I continuously send prayers up for all affected and prayers to shield myself and my loved ones,” Fields said.

In New York, while young people account for a small number of deaths and hospitalizations, 40 percent of New York’s 44,915 confirmed cases are people aged 18-44. Governor Cuomo issued a stern warning to millennials about their reckless behavior reminding them of their vulnerability.

“You are wrong! You’re not superman and you’re not superwoman. You can get this virus and transfer the virus, and wind up hurting someone who you love or hurting someone wholly inadvertently,” Cuomo said. .

 For Fields, who works as a corporate fashion buyer, the first week of the quarantine was very hard as she dealt with drastic job changes, switching from  a hands-on and face-to-face client environment, to having days filled with conference calls, virtual training classes, and reviewing job materials online.

“I have created a new routine of 80% of my life being digital of some kind,” Fields said. “Initially, I found myself staring at screens all day – laptop screens, tv screens, phone screens, etc. To take myself [out from] the virtual haze, I take daily walks, as spring days are upon us.” 

With the second week of quarantining approaching, Fields is adjusting and is using the time she is spending indoors being productive, working on her personal brand and blog. Despite the occasional yearning to go to brunch with friends, Fields has found happiness in the increasingly popular trend of virtual happy hours with friends and family via apps like Skype and Zoom, trying out new recipes, and watching movies that remind her of her childhood.

“That has really lifted my spirits,” Fields said.

She also feels like her time spent indoors has made her grateful for her loved ones around her. Fields lives with an older relative who has not been able to step outside since the quarantine began. She helps get groceries, medicine, and other essentials as needed.

She believes that seeing the changing demographic of who is falling ill is what will get millennials to start taking matters more seriously.

“I think the more people of all ages get sick, the more people will realize that this virus is real,” Fields said.

Janay Tyson, 22, who also lives in New York, said millennials are lacking a sense of urgency in the pandemic. Tyson chose to leave the city to  be with family in North Carolina, and has been in quarantine for 10 days. She would advise that the sooner that people start social distancing, the sooner there will be a chance that things clear up. Until then, she will not be returning to New York.

“I will be enjoying my time getting better sleep, doing DIY crafts, and having game nights with family,” Tyson said. 

For others, volunteering their time to help others has been an effective way to get through their day-to-day lives during the  pandemic.

 Last week, Gabriele Kriaucionyte, 24, a Master’s of Psychology student at NYU, decided to get involved with NYC #StudentsAgainstCorona, after crossing paths with an elderly man who was having difficulties walking.

“It felt very wrong to be on the side that is perfectly capable of helping, but not doing so,” Kriaucionyte said.  “I saw my friend starting this community and I had to question, ‘why not me? I believe that kindness reciprocates, and I feel more sense of community today more than ever.”

The student-led volunteer group helps elderly and immunocompromised people with everyday tasks.  It was started at University of Oxford in England and spread to 24 cities throughout the world in 12 days. New York’s chapter has 220 volunteers so far.

“I feel like being a socially responsible millennial will shape our future and our children,” Kriaucionyte said. “A very easy way to become conscious about this issue is to ask questions to yourself such as: what if it were my family? What if I was older or had health conditions and it were me? By helping, we set standards for ourselves and for future generations, and we create a sense of welcoming and loving community. It is just ‘human’ to give a hand to those who need it.”

Although millennials have not been the only group called out for not following social distancing protocol, state officials and healthcare professionals across the country have found themselves the most frustrated with millennials. They attribute their nonchalance to early reports from China that suggested that a young person would have a high rate of recovery if they were to contract the virus. 

“I believe the media portrayed the true facts that older people with comorbidities (the  presence of two chronic diseases or conditions in a patient) are at much higher risk for more significant disease if affected by the novel coronavirus,” Dr. Vanessa Stoloff, Senior Medical Director at UPenn Student Health Center said.

 The media correctly said older people are at a higher risk of getting very sick and dying of the virus, but that does not mean millennials have zero risk.

  “Younger people may have thought this meant they have a lower chance of being infected, which absolutely may have contributed to the current attitude of young people acting ‘invincible’. However, working with students of these generations daily, they typically feel “invincible,” despite the overwhelming amounts of education one might give them. That I can’t explain, ” she said.

 Internationally, the need to self quarantine is strongly enforced, and disregard for government orders comes with consequences.

 “We have to text a government number stating the reason we’re leaving the house, and wait for approval. Alternatively, you can write out your own form and carry it with your ID,” says Georgia Bruno-Skipp, 25, who is originally from London, but now resides in Paphos, Cyprus with her husband.  

Cyprus, which has a population of 1.21 million, has reported 162 cases of infection and 5 deaths as of this week.

 “If it’s not a valid reason or necessity for leaving the house, they are fining people 150 euros (equivalent to $167.53),” Bruno-Skipp said. 

Bruno-Skipp said she and her husband are trying to make the best of the situation despite a two week quarantine turned complete country lockdown.  She also lost her job as a baker. Her father, who works as a cruise ship musician, is also spending time with the couple, as he is stuck in Cyprus after multiple cancelled gigs.  

 “The best part of the quarantine is getting time to spend with my dad and our  animals,” Bruno-Skipp said.

She said the government is doing a good job trying to curb the virus.

“There’s not much to say other than take it seriously or the long term will be a lot worse than what they’re asking us to do now,” Bruno Skipp said. “I think that until someone they know gets it, they will carry on the way that they are.”

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For reporter Gerardo E. Alvarado León, the biggest challenge of covering the coronavirus is working from home, away from the newsroom and without face to face interactions with interviewees.

“As journalists, we always want to be out on the street,” said Alvarado León, who has been a journalist at El Nuevo Día for 14 years. “The precautions one takes aren’t the same as a hurricane or an earthquake. The last thing one thinks about when reporting is that one might catch something.”

As Puerto Rico tightens containment efforts, local journalists work from home, planning coverage and reporting through Slack, Whatsapp, phone calls, emails and videoconferences. El Nuevo Día emptied its newsroom last week, shortly after Gov. Wanda Vázquez Garced placed the island under lockdown until March 30.  But journalists are exempt from the mandatory overnight curfew. 

Puerto Rico has confirmed 39 cases of Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and two deaths, according to the island’s Department of Health. As of Tuesday night, cases of Covid-19 around the world top 417,000, with more than 18,600 deaths, according to John Hopkinks University. 

Alvarado León covers science and environmental news, but he is working as a content producer for the paper’s site to keep the page as up-to-date as possible. He’s also writing profiles on Puerto Ricans who are quarantined in different parts of the world like Italy and Spain. 

“I work earlier now, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” said Alvarado León, who used to go in to work at 11 a.m. “But I almost never finish working at 5 p.m.”

Reporter Keila López Alicea begins her day 8 a.m. by consuming news online, on television and on radio, but she doesn’t start working until 11 a.m. She switched beats from education to handling official government data on the coronavirus, from number of cases to measures taken to contain the outbreak. 

“I rely exclusively on official sources,” said López Alicea, who has been a reporter at El Nuevo Día for 13 years. “Access to information has been a challenge.” 

As cases of the coronavirus surge in Puerto Rico, the government has taken steps to curb the spread of the coronavirus like suspending in-person news conferences. To compensate, the government held last week two virtual press conferences with several officials through Microsoft Teams. 

“Not everyone has the same reception quality,” said López Alicea. “There are problems listening to each other. The signal freezes.”

The virtual press conferences, she said, lasted two hours, and the officials were unable to answer several questions and repeated the same information over and over. “It was a test of tolerance,” she said.

For López Alicea, covering the pandemic implies the challenge of acquiring certain scientific and medical knowledge in order to inform readers on a novel coronavirus that scientists are still trying to understand. 

“We can’t write in a vacuum,” she said. “It’s important to give context.”

With information changing almost by the hour, the coronavirus newscycle seems endless. And readers are hungry for news. The coronavirus pandemic has caused a spike in traffic in new sites across the United States. El Nuevo Día’s site registered 50 to 60 percent more page views yesterday compared to a normal Monday. 

“We can’t see each other, we can’t touch each other,” said digital sub-editor Janelyn Vega Medina. “The internet turns into something even more important because everyone is looking to create a connection with the world.” 

Vega Medina said El Nuevo Día’s web team constantly communicates through different mediums, such as WhatsApp and emails, to stay connected as content producers and editors work remotely. 

“Effective communication is important to keep the webpage operating and not compromise the work,” said Vega Medina, who has been an editor at the news site since November 2016. “Not just the technical work, but the job of informing in such a vital moment.”

But as the coronavirus spreads, so does disinformation. Last weekend, an audio shared through Whatsapp falsely said supermarkets and pharmacies in Puerto Rico would close, causing hundreds of panicked citizens to go out to get supplies.

For editor Israel Rodríguez Sánchez, journalism plays a crucial role in stopping the circulation of false information and clarifying myths on the coronavirus. 

“It becomes more important than ever to provide people with correct, verified information that can be useful to people,” said Rodríguez Sánchez, who has edited the paper’s breaking news section, Puerto Rico Hoy, since April 2017.  

Rodríguez Sánchez said the coronavirus pandemic shares one particularity with Hurricane María in 2017 and the earthquakes that rocked the island earlier this year: it affects journalists’ lives. The hurricane, he recalled, ravaged reporters’ homes, and the earthquakes affected reporters’ families living in the southern region of the island. 

“These three situations we have experienced back to back have that complexity: the journalist is affected by what he or she is covering,” said Rodríguez Sánchez. “We have to take that into consideration and give another kind of support so the coverage comes out as it should.”

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