W42ST Daily 5/06/2020

This time last week, I had been talking with Kate O’Neill – the optimistic futurist. She shared her friend’s tweet about starting the economy: “Feed the block first.” It’s continued to be on my mind.

I messaged the team at Chef José Andrés’s World Central Kitchen, asking if they still planned to continue their operation at 55 Hudson Yards now the Javits Center temporary hospital has closed. They insisted they were. There is still need for other essential workers, they said. And, as the pandemic shows some signs of abatement, let’s make sure we keep focused on feeding the block too.

I spoke to the team at Clinton Housing. With five supportive housing buildings in the area, they are still in need, despite the help of Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries (which provides food for 130 on one or two days a week).

I know readers who are keeping our Venmo tips spreadsheet open in their browser and, on payday, selecting some folks to send money to. Others will pick a charity like Food Bank for New York City and pay a monthly amount. There are Gofundmes galore.

What are you doing? Are you a bar owner with an empty kitchen? What can we do to feed our block today? This week? Next week? Let me know. And I’m always available to chat about ideas – hit me up for a virtual coffee.

NEW YORK STORIES
Nick is a gay man with a dilemma. Having recovered from COVID-19, he’s in a position to donate his antibody-rich plasma and potentially save lives. But, while the FDA has relaxed its restrictions on donations from gay men, he’s still officially ineligible. This is the story of his tricky decision to donate. Read more at W42ST.com.

BROADWAY OUT OF OFFICE
I spend hours each week personally messaging or emailing W42ST connections who are not on the daily email list, making sure they know what we are doing and offering to keep them updated and upbeat during the pandemic. It’s sad to see the large percentage of bounce backs.  Furloughed, no longer with the organization, mailbox full. One bright spot was this out of office message from Mary Beth Smith at Broadway.com

“When this unexpected intermission comes to an end – and, make no mistake, it will come to an end – we’ll once again gather, sit beside one another in velvet seats, and laugh, cry, and cheer together in unison. When that day comes, the chance to take part in this great tradition will feel more special than ever before. We can’t wait until the bright lights of Broadway shine again!”

Have you received any good out of office messages?

WHAT WE’VE BEEN READING
Why it’s so hard to switch off when WFH – and why that detachment is so important for your mental health. Unwind…

These young Hell’s Kitcheners have an important message to share. Love wins…

Eryc Taylor Dance’s choreography project wants to inspire and encourage movement and creativity during these uncertain times. Uncharted…

As the subway closes overnight, the MTA bus driver’s job becomes even more hazardous. Nightmare…

MCC Theater is calling artists of all disciplines to come together, support each other, and create new work. Sign up here!

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