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You may no longer be able to wear a mask on the subway. 

Governor Kathy Hochul suggested a mask ban earlier this month in NYC’s subways, which she says would curb antisemitic behavior. She says it’ll help identify troublemakers easier.

The idea, which may exclude medical masks, seems to have Mayor Eric Adams’ support, too, according to Newsweek:

“It’s all about proper implementation,” Adams said. “I’m a strong supporter of the decision of stopping masks on our subway system, of masks in protests and masks in other areas where it is not health-related. I think that you’re going to see a great deal of very violent protests and some of this despicable hate we’re seeing, I think you’re gonna see it dissipate.”

Although masks have been banned in public in NYC since the 1800s, the law was suspended in 2020 during the pandemic to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The pandemic has been declared over, but many New Yorkers are still wearing masks to stay safe, especially now that a new variant is making its way around. NYC has also had multiple air quality alerts this summer, forcing vulnerable New Yorkers back into masks. 

If New York is going to ban masks, we might as well ban these on the subway, too:

1. Blasting music or Tiktok on speakers

Taking the subway is already sensory overload, so when we hear always-shitty music blasting from a phone or speaker, or someone scrolling through an annoying FYP on TikTok, it’s too much. 

2. Vape smoke

Smoking isn’t allowed on the subway, but some vapers think their smoke doesn’t stink. Wrong.

3. Smelly food

We get it—sometimes you’ve got to eat on the go, but if it is rank, please spare us. 

4. Nail clipping (and any other bodily cast-offs)

Once in a while, we see someone hacking away at their nails, letting them fly any which way. It’s a level of disgusting we shouldn’t have to endure. In fact, anything discarded from one’s body should SIMPLY be off-limits on the subway. Let’s keep it at home, folks.

5. Large groups of middle schoolers

Middle schoolers were terrifying when we were in middle school. Now, they just remind us of those awkward (read: horrible) times. They’re loud, obnoxious and just as mean, and we just want to disappear into the seat when they clamber onto the subway.

6. Pole-leaning

Look, standing on the subway is not the easiest, but when someone leans their whole ass body on the pole when others are holding on, it’s fucking rude. An inadvertent touch, especially in the summer, really sticks with you.

7. B.O.

In tight spaces like these, everyone must wear deodorant. Nothing is quite as vom-inducing as getting a whiff of someone’s rank pits!

8. Spitting

There isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t see someone’s loogie on the platform. Can we please stop?

9. Gratuitous PDA

We love a good romance story but no one wants to watch you reach the next base on New York City’s transit system. 

10. Pet snakes and rats

Exotic pets have long been the sign of an eccentric character, but if we don’t want to be on the subway, it’s likely they don’t want to be either. 

* This article was originally published here

A warm summer’s day is best spent at the beach, but lurking in the waters are some dangers such as strong rip tides and sharks. Thankfully, beaches use a flag color system to warn of these potential dangers and keep beachgoers safe.

But what exactly do those beach flags mean?

According to the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) and the International Lifesaving Federation, beach flag colors indicate the following:

• Yellow: Medium hazard. Moderate surf and/or currents are present. Weak swimmers are discouraged from entering the water. Others should exercise enhanced care and caution.
• Red: High hazard. Rough conditions such as strong surf and/or currents are present. All swimmers are discouraged from entering the water.
• Double Red (two red flags on one flagpole): Water is closed to the public.
• Purple: Marine pests, such as jellyfish, stingrays, or other marine life (excluding sharks) which can cause minor injuries are present in the water.
• Red/Yellow (halved red over yellow): The area is protected by lifeguards.

• Black/White (quartered): These flags may be used in pairs spaced apart to indicate a designated area or zone along a beach or waterfront that is used by those with surfboards and other non-powered watercraft.
• Yellow flag with black circle: Surfboards and other non-powered watercraft are prohibited.
• Orange windsock: Indicates the direction of offshore winds and shows that it’s unsafe for inflatable objects to be used in the water.
• Red/White (quartered): Emergency evacuation. Swimmers should leave the water because of an emergency (such as dangerous marine creatures, the water is contaminated, or lifeguards need to perform a search of the water area).

Additionally, some beaches may choose to fly a green flag to indicate that the water is safe and ocean conditions are calm or mild. However, since the USLA states that “there is always a potential hazard present,” the International Life Saving Federation hasn’t fully adopted the use of the green flag.

It is important to note that though this is the flag system the United States Lifesaving Association has adopted and most beaches use it, some beaches may differ slightly. It’s always best to search for the flag system for the specific beach you’re at before going.

You can always check the status of NYC beaches by using this beach water quality map.

The post This Is What The Different Beach Flag Colors Mean appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

You can rightfully call her a soju fangirl: Irene Yoo—the LA-raised, Brooklyn-based chef behind the Korean-American comfort food pop-up turned content channel Yooeating—is basing her brand-new Brooklyn bar around the stuff. 

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At Orion Bar, which opened at 157 Suydam Street in Bushwick this past weekend, you can find the Korean rice liquor is many permutations: as a spritz flavored with omija, mugwort and grapefruit; as a Negroni featuring jujube-infused soju with Sonbi gin, Forthave Red Aperitivo, vermouth, ginseng and a rice wash; or as a Melona frozen, made with Tokki Soju Black Label, Makgeolli, Midori, lime and angostura.

If you don’t want the spirit stirred into a martini (deliciously savory with dried kelp, shiitake, rice vermouth and lemon oil), you can have your soju straight-up in five-buck shots (Jinro is Back, Chamisul Fresh or Chamisul Original) or as a $12 flight. And, of course, the soju bomb, that collegiate favorite, is also on the menu, available with samgyetang-infused soju and Bacchus-D energy drink for $8. There are also by-the-bottle options, including Golden Barley ($39), Tokki White ($48) and Tokki Gold ($77). If you need a break from the starring spirit, the beverage menu includes beers (Founders Solid Gold Lager, Ebb’s IPA No. 3), natural wines and non-alcoholic “bevies” like Korean canned coffee, Chilsung cider and citrussy Osulloc Jeju tea. 

You can’t have soju without anju, or drinking snacks—among the belly-coating bar food options, you’ll find shareable stuff like shrimp chips and dips with pollock roe and mascarpone, fries seasoned with kimchi and kewpie, and Spam Musubi with American cheese and caramelized kimchi. There are also heartier dishes including kimchi carbonara, a patty melt loaded with kimchi pimento cheese, and Chapagetti ramyeon upgraded with brisket and truffle oil, in case you’ve got a lot of soju sipping in your near future. 

* This article was originally published here

If you’re Broadway enthusiast but don’t necessarily have the budget to check out all the best shows, you’ll enjoy this: Bryant Park is going to play home to some of the most iconic Broadway productions on select days from 12:30pm-1:30pm next month, so you can get a taste of it all. 

The performances, an effort organized by 106.7 LITE FM and iHeartRadio Broadway, will kick off on Thursday, July 11 and continue for the subsequent three Thursdays on a stage setup in the park at Sixth Avenue between 40th and 42nd streets. 

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Dubbed Broadway in Bryant Park, the lineup is stacked with some of the best numbers from some of the most popular musicals. 

On Thursday, July 11, you’ll be able to experience numbers by the cast of Back to the Future, Hell’s Kitchen, The Who’s TOMMY, The Wiz and Water for Elephants. Radio host Helen Little will be the master of ceremonies, which will also include a pre-performance by the students of AMDA College of the Performing Arts.

The following Thursday, July 18, will be the ultimate lineup for kids and Disney fans, with performances from the casts of Aladdin, Frozen and The Lion King. Radio personalities Cubby and Christine will be hosting the day.

Rich Kaminski will direct the following Thursday, when acts from Chicago, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Book of Mormon, The Great Gatsby and The Notebook will take the stage.

The final Thursday, August 1, will feature another pre-show by the students of AMDA College of the Performing Arts, who will put on renditions from the Mean Girls musical. Also on deck will be acts from & Juliet, A Wonderful World, SIX The Musical, The Outsiders and Wicked.

Because the events are free, it’s recommended that you show up early to secure a good spot. LITE FM will take over the park as early as 11am with live entertainment and MCs.

You can visit Bryant Park’s website for up to date information and earn a chance to win free tickets to a full Broadway show on Lite FM’s website. 

* This article was originally published here