The pandemic crisis

A skilful loader in New York is now a much more valuable asset than a lawyer or manager. Manhattan, the island of the American dream, is experiencing a great exodus.

"I have been in this business for almost 15 years. It's been an amazing summer, I've never seen anything like it. The number of applications for long-distance travel is huge. Right now we have everything scheduled for a month in advance, until mid-October", says the co-owner of the freight company.

Luxury penthouses of elite heights are quickly empty. The population of the business centre has been reduced by 40%. Since the end of March, almost 500 thousand people have left the city.

In the Upper West Side district of Manhattan, the city authorities are opening shelters for homeless people who have never been here before. Now one of the most popular places in the whole district is the hotel. A night in a single room here used to cost around $300.

Homeless people have been brought here to prevent an epidemic of overnight stays. Now security is trying to isolate them from the locals.

"We have been moved here from the shelter. We had no choice. Homeless people do not choose where to go", says the man.

One of the men said: "We were brought here from the shelter, because we had no choice".

On the New York City underground, tags were introduced to help maintain distance.

Trump wants to shut down New York City's funding. The governor is thinking about raising taxes. The local media are talking about a possible bankruptcy of New York.