topic New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual in Community Chat

New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

I am still oxox — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 17:34:37 GMT

I just got a news flash from the local CBS station in NY

The annual Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop will be virtual this year, organizers announced Wednesday.

More info to follow

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

twinsister — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 17:38:30 GMT

I'm not surprised. How they could they have the festivities and enforce social distancing, it would be impossible.

Honestly, I'm a native New Yorker and have never gone to Times Square, for NYE, but I'm sure there are many, many from all over that are disappointed.

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

Bri369 — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 17:41:02 GMT

I thought that was already decided? It's not a surprise though. I can't imagine being in a crowd with all those people in the best of circumstances, let alone during Covid

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

LuvmyLab — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 17:49:45 GMT

I think all celebrations of this type will be virtual.

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

SandySparkles — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 18:06:30 GMT

This is disappointing news, but ABSOLUTELY necessary! I cannot imagine what the COVID numbers would be, had it not been virtual.😐

Thankfully, they put public safety FIRST, and not potentially windfall profits.😊👍

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

Porcelain — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 18:11:26 GMT

The bigger danger wouldn't be the giant crowd out in the open air. Though there is risk to that.

The bigger risk would be the masses of people crowding into any little shops and restaurants they could find to try to get warm. Some of them already plastered to boot. NY is smart. They already know what could happen. And they clearly learn from experience and mistakes.

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

CelticCrafter — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 18:17:38 GMT

Saying that certain things are going to be virtual is a little ridiculous.

How do you "virtual" the Macy's Day Parade?

I guess the ball drop is going to be computer generated.

Guessing the Rose Bowl parade will also be the same way.

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

qualitygal — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 18:18:15 GMT

While we love our traditions, I think this year will be a bump in the road for us as we look back some day with 20 20 vision. If we can't change it, let's make the best of it. We can sure hope next year celebrations will be bigger and better yet.

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

ValuSkr — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 18:22:16 GMT

I guess that means the Times Square revellers will watch the ball drop on TV - just like the rest of us.

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

KingstonsMom — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 18:50:31 GMT

Great news!

Just think of all of the revelers, not only from NYC, but from areas all over the country, without precautions against Covid.

We've all seen the repercussions of mass gatherings where precautions were thrown to the wind.....literally.

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

Deree — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 19:18:35 GMT

I would guess the majority of people in TS on NYE are tourists and I don't think they will be traveling here in January in any event.

There's no reason the traditional live ball drop won't happen. All you need to do that are a couple of people. And I'm sure they'll have entertainment there as well. Streets will just be blocked off to the area. The entertainment and ball drop will be televised as usual.

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

Johnnyeager — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 19:25:52 GMT

Times Square is currently a ghost town. Very, very few visitors and almost empty hotels. Boarded up bars and restaurants everywhere, so no place for revelers to take refuge. Going out of business signs on souvenir shops......and Broadway is closed. Reopening highly uncertain. So I doubt many would be there celebrating.

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 19:51:29 GMT

I never got the allure even before before Covid. Standing for hours packed together like sardines, in the freezing cold and probably not able to go to the restroom.

That is not my idea of a good time. But to each his own.

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

Mz iMac — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 20:10:57 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
How do you "virtual" the Macy's Day Parade?

@CelticCrafter It's not!

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Will Be TV-Only This Year And There Are Plenty Of Ways To Watch

It's still gonna be good!!!

FULL SOURCE: delish dot com

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

Vivian — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 20:18:35 GMT

I was born and raised in NYC, although I haven't lived there since I was 16. Nevertheless, I have a lifelong affinity to the city. I'm not surprised that New Year's Eve will be different. Everything is different now. We must make the best of it.

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 20:42:27 GMT

@Bri369 wrote:
I thought that was already decided? It's not a surprise though. I can't imagine being in a crowd with all those people in the best of circumstances, let alone during Covid

for some reason I thought there was a thread about this already but maybe I'm thinking about the Thanksgiving Day parade. This certainly can't be a surprise. I doubt there will be trick-or-treating this year so NYE in Times Square would definitely be off the table.

My one and only time to NYC was right after Christmas and we left to come home on NYE. It was so crowded that one evening you couldn't even move on the sidewalk. We ended up going back to our hotel because it was causing me anxiety. I'd never want to stay for that.

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

Anonymous032819 — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 20:47:47 GMT

I predicted that the live ball drop, and crush of people in Times Square in New Year's Eve was going to be cancelled back in June.

No one wanted to believe me, and in fact, I was told that I didn't know what I was talking about, and that I was looking too far ahead.

Well, look who was right.

I told you guys that it wasn't going to happen.

But a virtual ball drop sounds just stupid to me.

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

RetRN — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 21:02:34 GMT

I can't believe anyone would have thought it would go on as usual. Everyone I know has said for months that it wouldn't happen. That a news flash was needed it almost laughable. No one I know has traveled for 6 months to a big city.

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

Pearlee — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 21:00:12 GMT

@qualitygal. ..."look back with 20 20 vision"...

A bad pun but yes indeed! 😄

Re: New Years eve in Time Square to be Virtual

NicksmomESQ — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 21:09:24 GMT

A friend who is a cop in NYC told me that about a week ago.Being a New Yorker I never had a desire to be in Times Square on New Years Eve. I prefer to watch it either from home or at a party.