United States: snow falls on New York, but pandemic changes the face of winter
Audio 01:14
In New York, in front of the Brooklyn Bridge under the snow, February 2, 2021 © BRENDAN MCDERMID - REUTERS
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
Snow has fallen for two days in the northeastern United States.
It is the largest snowstorm in five years in New York: over two feet of snow fell in a few hours.
Driving on the roads has been banned, airports have been reopened but many flights are still disrupted.
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From our correspondent in New York
,
Carrie Nooten
There were 6 dead from
the storm
.
And more than 1,500 vaccination appointments against Covid 19 have been postponed.
The storm, in times of pandemic, it is definitely not quite the same thing.
Tom takes advantage of a lull to go and clear the sidewalk in front of his house, using a huge shovel.
“
Everyone must clear the snow in front of their home.
You have to do it, otherwise you risk a fine!
He said, catching his breath.
Around him, many cars are still buried on all sides by snow.
With the majority of New Yorkers still working from home because of the pandemic, it's a safe bet that they will stay there for a while.
No "snow days"
The neighborhood square has been transformed into a winter playground.
The sledges are out, and the snowmen are competing.
Joao watches over his daughter.
For him, the pandemic has eased the chaos of a snowstorm in normal times.
"
Everything is quieter, because there are not as many people outside as usual,
" he notes.
But Joao, like some New Yorkers, complains about the disappearance of the tradition of "snow day" because of the routine put in place because of the pandemic.
“
The big difference is that normally, we would have had
snow days
, without school, without a job, since we couldn't go to work.
And now, not only do we have to work from home, but the children are taught from home.
Even the teacher sent us an
saying “
Hey, it's a
snow day”.
I loved it, now I hate them.
It's double the work, instead of double the fun!
», He says.
New heavy snowfall is expected to cover New York again this weekend.
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