The Briefly for August 24, 2020 – The "One Thing the Pandemic Can't Stop" Edition

Today - Low: 75˚ High: 88˚

Clear throughout the day.

Do not wait. Click here to apply for your absentee ballot today. Everyone in the city can apply. The Times lays out why an antibody test and its results are useless if you want to know if you've ever had Covid-19 or if you can't get it again. (Donald G. McNeil Jr for NY Times) Here comes the fall foliage, the greatest show in New York City this fall. Also, it's the only show in New York City this fall. Here are some spots to check out the fall foliage. (Katrina Makayan for New York Family) Of all the things that the Covid-19 pandemic has taken away from New York, but the $2 billion AirTrain to LGA isn't one of those things, as the FAA's draft Environmental Impact Study concludes it "best meets the stated Purpose and Need." (Eve Kessler for Streetsblog) Even Governor Cuomo wouldn't give an answer when asked if he has school-age kids if he would send them back to NYC schools. Classes start on September 10. (Matt Troutman for Patch) Last week teachers rallied at Grand Army Plaza against reopening the city's schools, citing unsafe conditions, a lack of a comprehensive testing program, and decades of neglect of the buildings themselves. (Emily Freedman for Bedford + Bowery) Can the city force teachers back into classrooms if teachers feel the classrooms are unsafe? The teacher's union has begun gauging support for a strike over school reopening plans. (Reema Amin for Chalkbeat) The subways will continue to stay shut down overnight, but the MTA is ending its program that gave free cab rides to stranded late-night essential workers. (Jake Offenhartz for Gothamist) Steiner Studios announced plans to build a 500,000-square-foot production facility on the waterfront in Sunset Park (less than a mile south of Industry City). This is a part of the city's "Made in NY Campus," which the mayor announced in his last "State of the City" speech, which is supposed to offer "more attractive rents than private property owners." The city is contributing $15 million to construction costs. (Sebastian Morris for New York YIMBY) The ACLU has released data on complaints against over 81,000 current or former NYPD officers after the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the stay which blocked them from releasing the information. (Noah Singer for Brooklyn Eagle) NYPD Misconduct Complaint Database. (New York Civil Liberties Union) It's been four months since Francisco Garcia, an officer with a history of misconduct complaints and lawsuits and was caught on video beating a bystander and kneeling on his head while "enforcing" social distancing on the Lower East Side. It was one of the early indications that the NYPD would treat social distance enforcement like Stop And Frisk. According to the NYPD, the disciplinary process is "ongoing." (David Cruz for Gothamist) A look at Crocheron Park in Bayside. At a time when the city's parks have never been more valuable, Crocheron Park has never looked worse. (Queens Crap) The Brooklyn Museum will reopen to the public on September 12 and the Brooklyn Aquarium will be reopening on August 27. Like everything else in life in 2020, there will be new restrictions. (Noah Singer for Brooklyn Eagle) All New York evictions are suspended until October 1 thanks to a ruling from the Office of Court Administration. Advocates are calling for an indefinite moratorium and landlords' attorneys want to start evicting people yesterday. (Isaac Scher for Bushwick Daily) As more and more types of businesses reopen, Coney Island is left behind. (Erin Durkin for Politico) It's hard not to make the NYU-Fyre Fest comparison with students sharing what the "meals" the school has served them. (Ben Yakas for Gothamist) A lawsuit against New York's statewide plastic bag ban was struck down by the state Supreme Court. The Bodega Association and plastic bag manufacturers brought the lawsuit. Nice to see this finally come to an end (for now). (Jen Chung for Gothamist) Following the city's July 4th celebration, the de Blasio administration is working with Macy's to ruin the Thanksgiving day Parade in similar fashion. (Matt Troutman for Patch) The city has no plans to reinstate indoor dining and 100 restauranteurs announced plans to sue the city to allow indoor dining in a reduced capacity. Outdoor dining is set to expire for the year on October 31. (Erika Adams for Eater) Following Governor Cuomo's "alcohol must be ordered with a substantial amount of food" is having an effect, causing the closure of the cocktail bar Mister Paradise in the East Village. (Erika Adams for Eater) The State Liquor Authority has banned any advertised or ticketed music, karaoke, or other forms of live entertainment at bars and restaurants. This one is personal for me. I have been hosting socially distanced trivia since the start of July in an outdoor venue where every rule the state has implemented was strictly followed. It was free to attend, but we advertised it regularly. Is trivia entertainment? Depends on who you ask, but as of now, we have to stop. (Ben Yakas for Gothamist) The Old Farmer's Almanac has spoken about this coming winter. "Snowfall will be greater than normal in the Northeast." Go to hell, Old Farmer's Almanac. (Adam Nichols for Patch) The New York Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit challenging the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, a multi-year effort to overhaul a stretch of the Lower East Side’s shore to protect the area from future flooding and storms. (Rachel Holliday Smith for The City) There will be a TONY award ceremony for the abbreviated 2019-2020 season. The show will take place this fall and it will be, of course, virtual. Broadway is currently closed through January 3, 2021, at the earliest. (Michael Paulson for NY Times) Streetsblog asks a solid question: Why the hell are the double-decker tour buses still operating around the city? (Adam Light for Streetsblog) 11 inexpensive Times Square restaurants for takeout and outdoor dining. (Robert Sietsema for Eater)