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Blame De Blasio and Cuomo and Christie for the Blizzard Snow Job

3 minute read
Ideas
Karol Markowicz is a writer in New York City. She has worked on GOP campaigns in four states.

Every modern event has a hashtag and this morning, as New York City takes stock of the #snowmageddon2015 that wasn’t, it’s turning to #snowperbole.

On Monday, as Governor Cuomo, Governor Christie, and Mayor de Blasio rushed to out-serious each other, New Yorkers were whipped into a fear frenzy. Supermarket shelves were stripped bare, photos of Whole Foods depleted of kale circulated, and people stocked up for what would likely be days (maybe weeks!) indoors.

Even as we were doing it, we acknowledged it didn’t make much sense. After all, we’re in New York City. Bodegas never close. Delivery guys on bicycles have been a constant through all previous winter storms. All New Yorkers have their stories. That time we ordered Chinese Food during the snowstorm of 1994. Swimming on Brighton Beach during Hurricane Gloria. Buying Poptarts at the corner bodega during Sandy. Driving from Manhattan to Brooklyn and back again during the blackout of 2003. Yes, those are all mine.

Blizzard 2015: How New Yorkers and New Englanders Shared Photos

Marissa McClain posted this photo from Brookline, Mass. saying "Ventured outside. Found this man skiing down summit."Marissa McClain (@marissamcclain) via Instagram
Apoorva posted this photo from Times Square in New York City.Apoorva (@_apoorva) via Instagram
Nicole Drummond posted from the Brooklyn borough of New York City saying "It was quiet streets early this morning in DUMBO and we got to explore it all!"Nicole Drummond (@nicoleraedrummond) via Instagram
Andrea Alimonta posted this photo from New York City saying "Stay Warm!"Andrea Alimonta (@andre3nto) via Instagram
John DeFoor posted this photo in Atlantic City, N.J. saying "The view from my room. I cant wait to hit the beach!"John DeFoor (@JohnDeFoor) via Instagram
Jaka Vinsek posted this photo of an empty Grand Central Station in New York on Jan. 26, 2015. Jaka Vinsek (@jakavinsek) via Instagram
Gwen Betts posted this photo in Boston saying "Dear Midwest: Please send snow blowers."Gwen Betts (@gwennasaurus) via Instagram
Meshari posted this photo in Boston saying "Go home. Stay there. Seriously!"Meshari (@_meshari) via Instagram
Garret posted this photo from New York City saying "A light with no purpose tonight thanks to the might of Juno."Garret P (@garretp) via Instagram
Brandon Sullivan posted this photo from saying "These cars in Boston won't be going anywhere soon."Brandon Sullivan—AccuWeather (@btsullivan91) via Instagram
David Everly posted this photo of the Manhattan skyline from Brooklyn.David Everly (@selfproclaim) via Instagram
Gautham Asok posted this photo from the Emerald Necklace Conservancy in Boston.Gautham Asok (@gauthamasok) via Instagram
Adrian Moyer posted this photo from the Queens borough of New York City saying "Stay warm NYC, apparently there's a storm coming."Adrian Moyer (@_adrianmoy) via Instagram
Azor Ahai posted this photo from New York City saying "The blizzard soon cometh."Azor Ahai (@crazy_kwasi) via Instagram

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As we waited for the storm deemed “historic,” the only real history was made when the subway shut down for the first time ever in preparation for snow. The real insult came when it was reported later that the trains were indeed still running, empty, as trains needed to keep moving to clear the tracks. Citibike was shut down. Cars were banned from the roads and anyone who didn’t take heed risked being fined.

These are all symptoms of our infantilizing “do something!” culture. Everyone understands the pressure politicians feel to be seen as proactive. But this time they went way too far in the name of protecting us. It’s one thing to warn drivers that conditions are dangerous and that they go out at their own risk. It’s another to shut down all roads in the city that allegedly never sleeps.

The 11 p.m. curfew resulted in lost wages for delivery people who count on larger-than-usual tips during inclement weather. Why couldn’t they make their own decisions about working during the snow? Not everyone makes a salary the way our mayor and governor do. Many workers count on their hourly wage, and their tips, to make their rent each month.

The storm was a dud, but even if had been as severe as predicted, bringing a city like New York to a preemptive standstill makes little sense. The people who keep New York humming take the subway after 11pm and can decide for themselves whether to keep their businesses open. Preparedness doesn’t have to mean panic.

East Coast Readies Itself for Up to 3 Feet of Snow

Snow Blizzard New York City
A couple kisses during a blizzard in Times Square in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015.Benjamin Lowy—Getty Images Reportage for TIME
A man crosses the street in New York City during a snow storm in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Benjamin Lowy—Getty Images Reportage for TIME
People walk in front of the Manhattan Bridge in the DUMBO neighborhood as it snows in Brooklyn, NY on Jan. 26, 2015Photograph by Andrew Hinderaker
People walk in front of the Manhattan Bridge in the DUMBO neighborhood as it snows in Brooklyn, NY on Jan. 26, 2015Andrew Hinderaker
Times Square Snow Storm New York City
A man walks through the middle of a snow storm in Times Square, New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Benjamin Lowy—Getty Images Reportage for TIME
A man waits to cross the street in Brooklyn, NY on Jan. 26, 2015Photograph by Andrew Hinderaker
A man waits to cross the street in Brooklyn, NY on Jan. 26, 2015.Andrew Hinderaker
Winter Weather Pennsylvania
A pedestrian passes through Johnstown Central Park, in Johnstown, Pa., Monday, Jan. 26, 2015.Todd Berkey—The Tribune-Democrat/AP
APTOPIX Winter Weather
Fishing boats ride out the storm at dock in Scituate, Mass., on Jan. 27, 2015. Michael Dwyer—AP
A worker pushes a snow blower down Lexington Avenue near Grand Central Terminal as it snows in the Manhattan borough of New York
A worker pushes a snow blower down Lexington Avenue in Manhattan on Jan. 26, 2015.Carlo Allegri—Reuters
A man stands in falling snow on West 42nd street in Times Square in New York
A man stands in falling snow on West 42nd street in Times Square in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Mike Segar—Reuters
Snow Blizzard New York City
Two people huddle for warmth on the street in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015.Benjamin Lowy—Getty Images Reportage for TIME
APTOPIX Winter Weather
A man strolls on a walking path at Liberty State Park, with the Statue of Liberty in the distance, in Jersey City, N.J. on Jan. 26, 2015.Julio Cortez—AP
US-WEATHER-STORM
A tugboat sails on the East River during a snow storm in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Jewel Samad—AFP/Getty Images
Winter Storm in New York
People walk over the Brooklyn Bridge during a large winter storm in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015.Andrew Kelly—EPA
A man crosses the street during a snow storm in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Benjamin Lowy—Getty Images Reportage for TIME
Snow Storm Winter Weather Juno
A woman walks though Central Park as it snows in the Manhattan borough of New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Carlo Allegri—Reuters
Children play in Central Park as it snows in the Manhattan borough of New York
Children play in Central Park as it snows in the Manhattan borough of New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Carlo Allegri—Reuters
Snow Storm Winter Weather Juno
Loaves of bread sit on a sparse shelf at a grocery store in Port Washington, New York on Jan. 26, 2015. Shannon Stapleton—Reuters
Snow Storm Winter Weather Juno
A crewmember de-ices a Frontier Airlines plane at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, Jan. 26, 2015. Seth Wenig—AP
Snow Storm Winter Weather Juno
Crews load road salt into trucks ahead of a major winter storm in Chelsea, Mass. on Jan. 26, 2015.Brian Snyder—Reuters
Snow Blizzard New York City
Snow falls in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015.Benjamin Lowy—Getty Images Reportage for TIME

Read next: 9 Takeaways from the 2015 Blizzard Bust

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