New York City in the Year of the Rat

In New York City, it’s the year of the rat. In truth, for those who follow Chinese astrology, 2020 is the Year of the Rat.

To celebrate, New York Mayor Comrade de Blasio has done what he could to improve living conditions for the city’s vast population of feral rats. Now that the city has begun to open restaurants-- for outdoor dining only-- the rat population has seized the opportunity-- to harass New Yorkers and to pick up the scraps of discarded food. Nothing quite like a rat infestation to bring the city back to economic life. 

Of course, when you have lunch or dinner on the street you are likely to inhale a dose of carbon monoxide, from car emissions, with your meal. How’s that for your appetite?

The Daily Mail has the story:

New York City diners forced onto the sidewalks at restaurants are now being attacked by rats as restaurateurs beg the city to tackle its sanitation problem.  

New Yorkers have been flocking in their droves to enjoy European-style outdoor dining at some of their favorite haunts ever since the city entered phase two of its coronavirus reopening plan last month.

The move has provided some much-needed income for restaurant and bar owners that were forced to shutter back in March but, with more food being eaten outdoors, the areas are also attracting huge rats.

Restaurant owners are urging city officials to tackle what is fast becoming a new public health issue. 

Before you know it the rats will be taking over New York City. Then we can worry about how we are going to respect their constitutional rights, to say nothing of their human rights.