Social Distancing: (Fire) Escape from New York Mickey Z.

[Tace]

Photo credit: Mickey Z.

Mickey Z. -- World News Trust

May 21, 2020

The COVID quarantine has helped remind me of just how much I appreciate my fire escape -- and fire escapes, in general. Unable to spend much time on the streets of Astoria these days, I’ve come to utilize my fire escape like a top-floor terrace. With earphones plugged in, I listen to podcasts while feeding the birds, gazing at the trees, or waving to the occasional neighbor who may venture outside.

But this is nothing new. I’ve lived in NYC apartments my entire life and whenever those dwellings had a fire escape, that’s often where you’d find me.

Fire escapes have been mandated in my hometown since the 1867 Tenement House Act (two decades before the powers-that-be required indoor toilets, btw). In 1968, however, the construction of new fire escapes was banned so you can safely assume that any such remaining structures are at least five decades old.


Photo credit: Mickey Z.

During my younger years, my family lived in a fourth-floor walkup. The fire escape was accessible through the window of the room I shared with my older sister. We lived within four or five blocks of the legendary Silvercup bread factory. Each afternoon, a seat on my fire escape would provide you with a free aromatherapy treatment -- as the intoxicating bouquet of bread baking wafted across my fortunate neighborhood.

(more)

https://worldnewstrust.com/social-distancing-fire-escape-from-new-york-mickey-z

[billh58]

1. Why are you

spamming DU with this person?