Social Distancing: (Fire) Escape from New York Mickey Z.
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, Ive 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. Ive lived in NYC apartments my entire life and whenever those dwellings had a fire escape, thats often where youd 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.
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https://worldnewstrust.com/social-distancing-fire-escape-from-new-york-mickey-z