Brooklyn Coronavirus Update and Open Thread: Immunity, Blue Skies (5/4/20)

We’re in the eighth week of sheltering in place and the 30th day of home schooling for New York City schools.

Warm weather over the weekend brought people out to parks, as police tried to enforce social distancing and mask wearing. Green-Wood Cemetery warned Friday that if visitors don’t follow the rules, it will be closed to the public.

Cuomo said Friday New York City schools will remain closed through end of year, affirming what de Blasio already said. Macy’s today started reopening its stores, with social distancing, plastic shields over counters, and limited dressing room access.

There have been 68,286 confirmed deaths from coronavirus in the U.S. so far, and 13,538 of those are in New York City. The actual numbers are likely higher.

Reports that the virus can reactivate have proven false, although it’s possible it could mutate. This is good news because those who’ve had it will be immune, at least for a while.

Brooklyn real estate has not come to a complete standstill. Four contracts were signed in the past week for “luxury” properties — anything $2 million or over — the same as the prior week, according to Compass’ latest weekly luxury market report, indicating “there is some sense of stability in the luxury market” in Brooklyn, a spokesman said.

If you haven’t yet gotten your free mask from New York City, it’s not too late for distributions in McCarren Park, Betsey Head Park and Saratoga Park today and tomorrow.

What are your thoughts, and how are you weathering the shutdown? What do you think should be done in Brooklyn to combat the spread of the virus and blunt the damage to local businesses and jobs? Please feel free to comment in a respectful manner (please, no personal attacks, nothing libelous). If you are not already logged in, go up to the top right hand side of the page and log in to be able to comment.