Today, I went downtown to drop my Junghans watch for a crystal replacement to a local AD. The shop is very close to Brussels landmark Grand Place which is usually buzzing with tourists and activities.

I believe it has been more than 6 months since I've been around the Grand Place. I have been to other areas nearby we also call downtown, but not to km 0 of Brussels.

I was astonished how calm and empty it was (around 13:30). Last two me I remember it so empty was after the Paris terrorist attack on the Bataclan.

It will take months/years before we get back to a somehow "normal" pre-covid life...

I was wondering how does your downtown look right now?

Here are some pictures of the square under s cloudy sky...

 

Interesting topic. Here in New Haven Ct. USA I really don't notice much difference in the amount of people out and about, and the same lately when I go to the Chelsea section of Manhattan for the weekend flea markets. I'm sure certain sections of NYC might be less busier than pre-covid but for the most part what I see in Connecticut is the usual amount of people but now wearing masks and not bunching up in stores as the 6' social distancing is fairly well practiced.

 

In Berlin, which has many different "downtowns", if you will, lesser tourists are seen but there is still local stuff going on. These were taken in the summer, around two months ago. I would suspect things will not remain super relaxed for long (in the night there are still parties going on), however the german government is hoping to escape a second lockdown by having a similar approach to Covid like Japan did during the first wave, where there was no lockdown.

 

"Super relaxed" is an understatement as I don't see a mask in sight in your pictures.

 

I can't imagine NYC "empty" ... Obviously, Brussels has barely 1.2 millions inhabitants compared to the tens of NYC.

Now, in my neighbourhood, I am seeing quite some day activities, less than normal but not empty. Obviously, nighttime is much calmer than ordinary (one of the places to be out in Brussels), but still enjoyable.

Hence the emptiness at the Grand Place stroke me. Logically, most people in normal days would be tourists which are nowhere to be seen, still it feels really strange

 

Contrary to for example Italy, masks aren’t really part of outdoor-life in Germany. They are mandatory in public transport, all shops and restaurants (as long as you’re not sitting at your table eating).

 

Yes your area as well as the other member's locale in Berlin are probably much more popular with tourists than the average neighborhood in NYC and Connecticut.

 

"Street" masks are only mandatory in certain locations in the city (crowded shopping streets and touristic places) though most people do wear it now everywhere.

Depends where those pictures were taken

 

Yes I can see a big difference to that of my area. Here people are wearing masks on the street and some even when alone driving their cars, which I think is a bit extreme.

 

I do fail to see the logic in the latter, but hey. It doesn't harm anybody... Wearing your mask while driving is illegal here, btw. You're not allowed to cover your face, so that you can be identified.

 

Reminds me of @Syrte 's pics from St. Mark's Square in Venice a few months ago, a rare treat to see them uncongested. I am envious.

As for my home town, Houston, as a city in the southern US it is "back to normal" with people who can't be bothered to stay distanced or, heaven forbid wear a mask. With a mean annual temperature in the 90s this isn't a walking city, but the streets are clogged with cars and the stores and restaurants are doing brisk business. If you can't tell, I'm a little sensitive about it and a lot annoyed, owing to the fact that I live with someone immune-compromised and don't particularly want someone to expose her to something potentially deadly just because he feels it's his "civil right."

 

Here’s a couple of shots of Los Angeles and San Francisco ( courtesy of my son ).

The Filbert Steps Telegraph Hill San Francisco


The Presidio and the Marina San Francisco


Heart of Westwood Village in Los Angeles


Beverly Hills in the middle of Los Angeles



Brussels Grand Place in 2018

 

I'm a little sensitive too, and completely understand how you feel. It is frustrating that we as a society in the USA can not get the virus under control... it is really simple; wear a mask, and keep your distance. I don't know if some people simply don't care about others, but, every time I see someone walking on a busy street and not wearing a mask and making no attempt to keep their distance, I get annoyed if not angry. As long as we allow the virus to find hosts, it is not going away anytime soon. Maybe the young believe they are immune, maybe they believe if they get the virus it won't be any worse then the common cold... but, no one is asking them to give up partying and socializing forever, just a couple of months if we could ever do it right. Sorry about the rant...

 

The safest way to wear a mask is to put it on and not touch it again unless your hands are clean. If you just been to the grocery store touching things better to keep it on during the drive home. People now are also trying to consolidate outings. If your going to the grocery store then to the pharmacy which is close by again better just to keep it on when driving between.

 

To get an exemption to leave Australia and see her elderly parents and grandmother my wife (and daughter) have to be planning on staying for 3 months or longer, otherwise no travel exemption..... they will be in Teltow Flaming from early Dec, 3 months is a long time when your daughter is only 24 months old.... Gonna be a quiet xmas for me home alone

 

I’ve heard that they’re still looking for a vaccine for SARS - eighteen years on.

Vaccines for other well known illnesses also took years to discover.

There’s no guarantee that there’ll be any effective COVID vaccine in the short term

 

I too love Bussells. I’ve spent many a happy September afternoon at the Grand Place beer festival. I’m keen to get back soon.

 

Good point. In all my European big-city-ignorance, I didn’t even take into account that some might have to use a car to do their everyday-shopping. It’s all walking-distance and no parking here.

 

I hear you, most of the infected population group in the new "second wave" are youngsters aged 20-29.

September being university year start, after summer parties, gathering them all in dorms and student houses surely contributed to the virus transmission.

Aside from that, a lot of them believe they already have it and that they are immune... When it hasn't totally being proven one can be, and even though, it only last 3-6 months at max.

This weekend, police shut down a couple of parties with 50 to 100 young people...

To your point, they voice their frustration not being able to socialise and party etc ... But the sacrifice is for only a few months, and it is something we all have to go through, reducing family visits, bars visits (muy important for me!) Etc etc...