The Briefly for December 18-19, 2020 – The "Song For The Dumped" Friday Edition

Today - Low: 19˚ High: 32˚

Partly cloudy throughout the day.

This weekend - Low: 30˚ High: 40˚

A look at the state's plan to distribute the Covid-19 vaccine to the general public. So far the state received 87,750 doses that are being given to healthcare workers. (Dana Schulz for 6sqft) All New Yorkers will receive Covid-19 vaccines free of charge thanks to an order from Governor Cuomo, including the uninsured. (Sydney Pereira for Gothamist) Five takeaways from the first week of vaccines in NYC. (Joseph Goldstein for NY Times) A look back to 1947, when NYC vaccinated six million people against smallpox in less than a month. (John Florio and Ouisie Shapiro for NY Times) The city has been singing the chorus to Ben Folds Five's "Song For The Dumped" to a number of vendors who either didn't deliver on PPP goods or canceled orders to the tune of over half a billion dollars. (Michael Rothfeld and J. David Goodman for NY Times) The mayor's office updated their guidance for restaurants and bars with outdoor dining and it includes the rule that patrons are not allowed to use the indoor bathrooms if you are dining outdoors. I've asked this before, but where the hell is Ariel Palitz, this city's "night mayor," when it comes to bullshit like this? (@nycmayorcounsel) What does it take to keep a restaurant open in 2020? Here's insight from Littlefield and Parklife co-owner Julie Kim on the monumental effort it has been to follow the state and city's rules and keep the experience positive for patrons. Yes, this is where I hosted pop-culture trivia for most of this year. (Julie Kim for Brooklyn Based) Kudos to Honey Badger, the restaurants in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, for using its outdoor dining area for a holiday market when the restaurant is closed during the day. (Ben Verde for Brooklyn Paper) Coney Island Creek is being evaluated to become a possible Superfund site. (Rose Adams for Brownstoner) A new tunnel to Grand Central Terminal is open, one of Grand Central's long-hidden tunnels, from 150 E 42nd St, across 42nd from the Chrysler Building. (Nicole Saraniero for Untapped New York) Forget the barred owl, there's a new hot bird in the city. Say hello to Central Park's long-eared owl. (Mike Mishkin for I Love The Upper West Side) Eataly is paying almost $2 million to settle a labor lawsuit that alleged Eataly was “failing to pay wages for all hours worked due to a policy of time shaving,” “failing to provide proper wage and hour notice,” and “failing to provide proper wage statements.” (Chris Crowley for Grub Street) The luckiest traffic agent in the city was hit by a tractor-trailer and pinned underneath in Astoria. Miraculously, she was taken to the hospital for back and neck pain, but no other injuries. (Michael Dorgan for LIC Post) Get yourself ready, because the mayor is talking about a full city shutdown after Christmas. (Allie Griffin for Sunnyside Post) The one exception to all of the mayor's talk about a full shutdown of the city? Keeping school buildings open. The teachers' union isn't supporting that idea, calling a move to keep schools open during a "shelter-in-place" scenario "irresponsible." (Alex Zimmerman for Chalkbeat) The Ferris wheel that was supposed to be built on Staten Island is taking center stage for city council hopefuls. Get ready for every failed project and waterfront to become a debate point in 2021 as the entire city council is up for re-election. (Clifford Michel for The City) One shortage we didn't expect to see is Christmas trees. Turns out when everyone is in their own homes for Christmas, the city needs more trees. (Daniel E. Slotnik for NY Times) Video: An eerily quiet walk through Chinatown, Soho, and Washington Square Park. (ActionKid) New Year's Eve is going literally virtual this year, with a VNYE app that uses galleries and augmented reality to put you in a Times Square full of art. Plus you don't have to wear a diaper to take part, so it's kind of a win. (Nicole Saraniero for Untapped New York) Apartment Lust: A $1.4 million Carroll Gardens two-story apartment with an astounding amount of open space and natural light, one of the weirder bed situations I've come across, and a roof deck. (Dana Schulz for 6sqft) More than 100 New York LGBTQ groups have issued an open letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo urging him to sign a law before next week making all public single-stall restrooms statewide open to people of all genders. (Tat Bellamy-Walker for Gay City News) A best of the borough shopping guide for Queens, as voted by the QNS readers. (Robin Khatsernov for QNS) Looking for something unique on New York's Eve? How about sleeping in a geodesic dome on top of the NASDAQ building in Times Square for $21? The dome is complete with a welcome message from Mariah Carey, a $5,000 shopping spree on Fifth Age, an indoor art lounge, a private chef for dinner, and cheesecake from Junior's. Better rush, it's first-come, first-served when it becomes available on December 21 at 9am. (Shaye Weaver for Time Out) Got cabin fever? A pandemic winter bucket list. (Meredith Craig de Pietro for Brooklyn Based) There were sightings of a bobcat in the trails along the Bronx River, which is a good sign for the health of the waterway and very cool, but also stay away from large cats if you see them. (David Cruz for Gothamist) The rollout of ranked-choice voting will continue after a Manhattan Supreme Court Judge refused to issue a temporary restraining order. (Emily Ngo for NY1) Video: Watch Xi'an Famous Foods prepare its biang biang noodles and perfectly coat them in their homemade chili sauce. (Matt Coney Beare for Viewing NYC) Industry City announced three massive new heated outdoor space with four open sides in its courtyards. (Dozier Hasty for Brooklyn Eagle) You think your Zoom calls suck? Thanks to a complete inability to organize themselves, the Brooklyn Democratic Party's first membership meeting lasted 13 hours long and included a vote where the total votes exceeded the total number of members. Great job you guys. (Kevin Duggan for Brooklyn Paper) Bookmark This: Where to go sledding in NYC after it snows. (Matt Troutman for Patch) 10 ways you know you're a real New Yorker during a snow day. (Shaye Weaver for Time Out) Photos: Snow rats, sledding, and winter scenes from NYC. (Ben Yakas with photos by Scott Lynch for Gothamist) The best hot chocolate in the city. (Nikko Duren for The Infatuation) Thanks to reader Michael for today's featured photo! I don't usually use photos of faces, but look at the joy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVk_e31dnlE