The city’s 2.5 million service workers were at the center of the pandemic as it ravaged New York. Some kept the city running, often at risk to their

These 115 Workers Helped Keep New York Alive in Its Darkest Months

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2021-07-22 03:30:07

The city’s 2.5 million service workers were at the center of the pandemic as it ravaged New York. Some kept the city running, often at risk to their own lives. Others found themselves unemployed indefinitely in one of the most expensive cities in the country.

When New Yorkers stopped going to office buildings, parties and church, Shinji Fuse’s income plummeted at his Brooklyn dry cleaners. Most days, it was not even worth turning on the cleaning equipment.

Wendy Chen is a salon worker in Queens. She didn’t work for four months during the lockdown. Now back at work, she takes no chances during her two-bus commute, wearing two masks and spraying herself with disinfectant when she gets home.

Mohammad Hossen, a livery cab driver and advocate, spent half a year without work when New Yorkers stopped traveling. “Many drivers still aren’t feeling safe,” he said. “I had to go back to work because I could not survive.”

When New Yorkers stopped going to office buildings, parties and church, Shinji Fuse’s income plummeted at his Brooklyn dry cleaners. Most days, it was not even worth turning on the cleaning equipment.

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