NEW YORK — An Ipsos poll finds 3 in 5 Americans believe returning to their pre-coronavirus life right now would be a risk, the highest level since early March.

That's made some New Yorkers more selective in who they see and where they go with the spread of the delta variant of COVID-19.


What You Need To Know

  • Jon Hong had some friends over to learn how to make cocktails instead of going to a bar. The rise of the delta variant influenced his decision.

  • He leans toward hanging out with people who are vaccinated against COVID-19

  • As of Sept. 20, the mayor's office reported it had issued about 8,600 inspections and roughly 3,200 warnings to businesses that are not checking proof of vaccination

Jon Hong is getting the hang of the measurements: instead of going out, he recently had some friends over to learn how to make some cocktails from a service called "Night Inn Experience."

Part of that decision to hang out at home is based on the spread of the delta variant. Specifically, he wants to control who he interacts with.

"I think I definitely lean towards prefer to hang out with people who are vaccinated," Hong said. “But I understand there are a lot of different perspectives.”

He's come a long way from total quarantine in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It was very stressful being indoors a lot," Hong said. “but it was nice to kind of have some alone time and learn to develop new skills.”

Hong said he enjoyed learning how to cook in the pandemic. Now he says he thought he'd learn how to make some cocktails.

"This is a great addition to my at-home repertoire," Hong said.

Many have taken a different approach after Sept. 13. That's when restaurants, bars, gyms and other indoor businesses in New York City were to required to see proof of vaccination.

That policy encourages the Longeneckers, both of whom are fully vaccinated, to feel fully comfortable going out in the city and abroad. The newlyweds just got back from their honeymoon in Europe.

"I feel good. I mean, he and I went on our honeymoon in Croatia, we got married, we feel pretty good feeling safe," Addison Longenecker said. "I think the city is being really safe presenting your vaccine cards before you eat inside, so it feels like most places are looking to minimize the risk."

As of Sept. 20, the mayor's office reported it had issued about 8,600 inspections and roughly 3,200 warnings to businesses that are not checking proof of vaccination — another reason Hong opts to hang out at home.

"You can have a lot of the same upside of having a cocktail at home with people you want to spend time with as opposed to a crowded New York bar," Hong said.

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