Threats from the next hurricane Henri led to the cancellation on Saturday of a star-studded concert hosted by New York City to mark the “return home” following the devastation caused by the covid-19 pandemic.
Barry Manilow, a member of a lineup that included Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith and Paul Simon, was interrupted in the middle of a song by a resonant voice urging concertgoers to move quickly but quietly toward the nearest exit due to approaching storm clouds.
About 60,000 people were expected at the concert in Central Park, while the hurricane, with sustained maximum winds close to 120 miles per hour and heavy rains, was approaching to make landfall sometime on Sunday.
“I guess for safety this suspension makes sense. I can hear the thunder,” said one assistant, Maria Fonts.
Even before the bad weather arrived, many expressed concern about covid-19, even though vaccination certificates were required.
All attendees over the age of 12 had to present a vaccination test, except those who had not been able to vaccinate for health reasons.
The use of masks was not mandatory at this outdoor event, except for unimmunized children.
“At least everyone is vaccinated” on the shows, said Ilana Gomez, who was very excited to see guitarist Carlos Santana’s band play.
“Music is what I missed the most” during the pandemic, the 27-year-old told AFP, adding that it is “amazing” to be together with so many people, even though she thought it was not “the best idea “to celebrate such a big event.
– “We’re back” -In statements on local radio on Friday, the mayor of the metropolis, Bill de Blasio, said the event seeks to “tell people that New York is back, say it all over the world “.
The pandemic hit New York hard in early 2020 and has left more than 33,000 dead in the city.
Bill Thompson, a 69-year-old man who has always lived in New York, said he was “more cautious than ever,” though he said it was “a pleasure” to see the city come back to life.
In the week leading up to Saturday’s show, the city hosted a series of hip-hop concerts featuring performances by Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, KRS-1 and Wu-Tang Clan members Ghostface Killah and Raekwon.
The event was scheduled to last five hours and broadcast live on television. With the exception of VIP seats, tickets were free.
Jennifer Hudson, LL Cool J and Barry Manilow were also to perform.
– Henri and his threats-Although about 68% of adult New Yorkers are fully vaccinated, covid-19 cases have recently skyrocketed to more than 1,850 a day, a 19% increase in two weeks.
The unvaccinated population continues to face risks of both contracting the virus and feeling its worst effects.
“My heart goes out to all who suffered,” said Laurie Ramirez, a 50-year-old educator who attended the event because she earned a ticket for her status as an essential worker during the pandemic.
“It’s extraordinary. It’s the most beautiful thing” to be here, he told AFP.
But the threat of bad weather darkened the party even before it was suspended, after U.S. meteorologists raised Hurricane Henri to a hurricane on Saturday.
Henri would not touch New York City, but it could still cause tropical storm conditions starting Saturday night.