I remember taking the train to work, mask less, on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. My usual Metro North New Haven Line, 8:32am local to Grand Central Terminal from the Harrison, NY station. Fear of the COVID-19 virus infection was everywhere. It felt weird yet unsurprising to see only a handful of commuters at the station that morning. Normally, there would be quite a crowd but not that day. I sat behind the CAR 9225 driver's cab, facing north, on this south-bound train. That seat has always provided me a good sketch view for my morning routine. Sketching has kept my mind off this virus infection fear that was gripping the city. Especially, when passing by New Rochelle where it was known to have recorded an early virus cluster outbreak at that time. Thus, I made a conscious effort to count the number of passengers getting on and off my train car as soon as we left Harrison. I saw lady holding an umbrella and on a phone call stood by the passenger door until she got off at New Rochelle.
Harrison - 2, Mamaroneck - 1, Larchmont - 3, New Rochelle - 0, Pelham - 2 and a gentleman with an iPad sat across from me started coughing without covering his mouth. He said "Oh, boy!". That was enough to tear me out of my seat, fast, and transfer several seats away on this mostly empty car. At Mt. Vernon East, no passenger boarded our car. I can't remember what happened next after that last station. A text message from our department head came through. Someone in the office got a COVID-19 test the day before. It was a standing rule that if anyone would get sent for testing, the office will close and everyone will work remotely. At GCT, it was weird seeing an almost eerily empty hall. I took some pictures before I boarded the next train to Stamford.
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On February 21, 2021 I took the train back to the city again. It was a just month shy of one year since I boarded that CAR 9225 train to GCT. I have found another job last June that is just 10 minutes away from home so I no longer commute to the city. One thing I miss though in all of that is the commuter sketching. Oh well....
Amazing to read your comments on that day. What a scary time for all of us. It seems like this is lasting forever. I finally received my second vaccine, so I feel a bit better about things.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't a good sketch but it was a great reminder of what it was like for me that morning. Funny how the visual memory works. Glad to know you and Jerry have been vaccinated. It's comforting to know another layer of protection is on your side against this virus.
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