More than 200,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the US, and there is a common sentiment

that New York City is on its deathbed too.

It was, after all, the American epicenter of the pandemic with more than 20,000 people

dead in nearly a quarter million positive cases.

It also had a shutdown that showed just how reliant the city's economy is on the very

things that are most discouraged during a pandemic.

Hacked Broadway theaters and subway cars, packed restaurants and sidewalks, packed offices

and co-working spaces.

Over the summer, New York's COVID rates fell dramatically.

Schools recently reopened, and even restaurants have been approved to resume indoor dining

at reduced capacity.

But infection rates have begun to tick up again, which may lead to a second shutdown,

which would pile on atop all the economic damage that's already been done.

So could the density that has historically driven a city like New York also drive it

toward extinction is New York City, and as a New Yorker.

I don't even like to say this aloud, but is New York City over?

Over my dead body is New York City over.

But what about the data?

The city is projecting $67 billion deficits out as far as the eye can see.

People are concerned about what appears to be an increase in homicide rates.

Well if we have people work from home, that home could be anywhere.

No, New York City is not over.

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