all the words had all been spoken

 And somehow the feeling still wasn't right

And still we continued on through the night

Tracing our steps from the beginning

Until they vanished into the air

Trying to understand how our lives had led us there  ( Jackson Browne)

new day, same topic.....but an important one.....The FDNY held a significant protest outside of Gracie Mansion yesterday protesting the city's vaccine mandate.....this truly is a critical juncture for this city and everyone that lives here, works here or intends to one day visit. 

It's redundant to say, but i will anyway....everyone outside of the criminal element breathes a little easier, feels safer and is reassured when we see the men and women in BLUE on the streets , in the subways , outside a sporting event, patrolling a park or driving through their neighborhood.

As someone who has worked in many buildings in lower Manhattan....some new, some ancient with archaic elevators , narrow stairwells and faulty elevators.....some high rises....some enviable targets for those that hate us......i was always trepid when working in these buildings, it was and is my nature.....but i always volunteered to be the fire warden and looked forward to my first fire drill where the FDNY would send out an expert to walk us through the safety features and detail what steps to take in an emergency.....truthfully i always felt that all i had to do was be lucky enough to survive the blast or collapse or being engulfed in smoke long enough for the Fire Dept to arrive ( and their response times have always been off the charts) and that i would be okay........and that's exactly what happened on 9/11... a fella my own age opened the door to the 4th floor of tower one and told me it was safe to proceed down the stairs despite the rising smoke  and to take everyone with me ......we went down to safety, he went up to the next floor.

I kind of wish that i was still working in manhattan, so that i could organize a protest amongst my fellow workers , to pressure my company to pressure the city and end this mandate ( or else we wouldn't report to an unsafe work environment.....because make no doubt about it......everyone in the city will be less safe come monday)

I think back to the dark days long ago , March 2020.........i like millions of others were told to stay home....lock the doors, wash your face and don't touch your hands......i'm still home.

The essential workers were told "hey, you took an oath to protect and serve, now get back out there or else"

now these same folks are being told "hey, we don't need you , get the jab or get out"

The saddest part is that we have allowed a lame duck mayor to exert so much power and influence. This is not right, this is not the only answer, we have alternatives, there is no need to draw a line in the sand, daily testing and or less public facing roles for the unvaccinated should be an option......and it would be if this was truly about public safety....but alas it is not, it is about power....I am apoplectic with rage at the very real possibility that 26% of our Police and 32% of our Fire Dept will loose their jobs and are being put in this position.....painted as the enemy, portrayed as the problem, all lumped into one negative stereotype. this isn't a problem searching for a solution......the answer is there...but the powers that be don't wish to fix this, they wish to tear it down.

Our Favorite Garbageman Craig Pazarecki just called and reminded me not to  forget the Sanmen that clean the streets and sweep up after our mess....unfortunately i had already hit post.......better luck next pandemic SDNY. 

How long have I been sleeping?

How long have I been drifting alone through the night?

How long have I been dreaming I could make it right?