NYC's Pandemic Scars: Unexpected Remnants of COVID-19 Still Visible Today

The COVID-19 pandemic may be over, but its physical traces linger throughout New York City. From clear plastic screens separating tables in restaurants like the nearly century-old Sevilla Restaurant in the West Village to social distancing signs on buses, reminders of those anxious years remain.

<img src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/02/27/multimedia/00pandemic-traces-05-qjhc/00pandemic-traces-05-qjhc-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale" alt="A sign encouraging social distancing is attached to a pole." >

Miguel Lloves, whose family runs Sevilla, reveals that despite considering removing the plastic dividers, his father insists on keeping them, fearing a potential resurgence of the virus. This reflects a broader pattern: many of these pandemic artifacts persist, serving as a visible legacy of that difficult period.

<img src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/02/27/multimedia/00pandemic-traces-02-qjhc/00pandemic-traces-02-qjhc-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale" alt="A sign on a bus warning people to keep a safe distance from the driver." >

These remnants, whether intentionally kept or simply overlooked, stand as silent witnesses to a significant chapter in New York City's history.