New York Tough. New York Proud. New York Variant. Rona the virus is drooping.

I began tracking coronavirus news daily, obsessively, in March of 2020, as I’m sure many of you did. I even created an email folder for NYC updates related to the virus, testing, vaccinations, closures, and other impacts on the city.

In May 2021, more than a year later, I finally felt I could breathe fully again. I felt such a tremendous sense of relief when I received my first vaccination shot, and it deepened when I got the second. The CDC said we could take off our masks outdoors if vaccinated. Then Governor Cuomo announced that New York was reopening fully on May 19. Soon after, the CDC said that fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks or maintain social distance indoors or outdoors (with some exceptions).

As we reach each milestone of returning privileges and freedom from the virus, I cry a little. Subways back to 24/7. Tears. Bar seating returns. Sniffle. Indoor dining at 25%-33%-75%. Droplets spring from my eyes. Hamilton tickets available for $199! A deluge…

I feel so moved and proud of New Yorkers for caring for each other and making it this far, to the downward slope of the bell curve. Walking through the West Village last Saturday night, people spilled from the streets into the restaurants. Bright lights, candles, joyful voices permeated the night at restaurant after restaurant after bar. The celebration that follows tragedy is swelling in the city.

I know that the world is still in terrible trouble, risks hover on the edges of our vision, and the impact of tragic loss will reverberate for years to come, but I want to take this time to mark what we have been through, and how far we have come together.

I designed the New York Variant t-shirt as an expression of celebration and pride for New York. New York, we made it. We’re proud, we’re tough, and we made it through.

I must give credit where credit is due. My fabulous photographer, Phil Maier, had the idea for a New York Variant tee. I thought it was fantastic and set about creating the design immediately. My print shop, Village Printers, put the design onto fabric, and voilà! Then I had a lot of fun hand-painting the colors. The final result is this.

I’d like to thank my hairstylist Dean Santos for creating this incredible simulation of the coronavirus on my head! And the entire staff of Salon Ziba for their support in this kooky endeavour!

To join the celebration with me, order your own NYV tee, and I will hand-paint it specially for you.

Style Notes

• Black, hand-painted New York Variant t-shirt. Karen’s Quirky Style. Online only.
• Chocolate, burnt orange, peaches, and cream ombré pleated midi-skirt. Banana Republic. 105 Fifth Avenue.
• 7″ YRU lace-up goth boots. Trash and Vaudeville, 96 E. 7th Street.
• Coronavirus hairstyle by Dean de Santis. Salon Ziba. 485 Sixth Avenue.
• Rona makeup by Karen.