Pandemic in NYC: Then and Now 

 A nearly empty Grand Central Terminal is quiet due to health risks of COVID-19 on May 15, 2020. (Photo: Gordon Donovan)

In March of 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, with over 118,000 cases reported in 114 countries. New York City transformed overnight from the bustling metropolis known as the city that never sleeps to a scene reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic movie. Streets emptied, businesses closed their doors, and the city's iconic locations bore witness to the impact of the pandemic.

Reflecting on the past, let's take a moment to revisit these iconic locations and observe how they have evolved in the wake of the pandemic. From the once-bustling Times Square to the serene Central Park, each place tells a story of resilience and adaptation in the face of unprecedented challenges.

As we look back at these iconic spots, we are reminded of the strength and spirit of communities coming together to overcome adversity. The journey from then to now serves as a testament to the human capacity for perseverance and hope in the face of hardship.

Drag the slider across each pair of images to see changes in the New York City landscape.

Astor Place Subway Station

THEN: The Astor Place subway station is quiet due to health mandates to stop the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak on May 7, 2020. NOW: People walk past New York City's Astor Place subway station on March 20, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

B&H Photo

THEN: The B&H Photo Electronics and Camera Store is closed due to health concerns to stop the spread of COVID-19 in New York City on April 9, 2020. NOW: The sidewalks are busy outside the open B&H Photo Electronics and Camera Store on March 16, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

The Bethesda Terrace Arcade in Central Park

THEN: Efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 in New York City leave Central Park's Bethesda Terrace Arcade deserted on April 23, 2020. NOW: The Bethesda Terrace Arcade in Central Park is filled with life on March 11, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

The Brooklyn Bridge

THEN:  The Brooklyn Bridge sees sparse pedestrian and bicycle traffic on April 20, 2020, due to health mandates imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 in New York City. NOW: A runner picks his way through pedestrian traffic across the Brooklyn Bridge on March 16, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Bryant Park

THEN: Bryant Park in Manhattan is quiet due to health regulations to stop the spread of COVID-19 on April 15, 2020.
NOW: People enjoy the warmth of the sun in Bryant Park on April 2, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Canal Street subway station

THEN: The Canal Street subway station is quiet due to health concerns due to the COVID-19 health concerns in New York City on May 2, 2020. NOW: The Canal Street subway station is much busier these days on March 16, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Pell Street in Chinatown

THEN:  Chinatown's Pell Street stands nearly abandoned due to health concerns over COVID-19 in New York City on April 20, 2020. NOW: Foot traffic is brisk on Pell Street on March 20, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Pell and Doyers Streets in Chinatown

THEN:  The streets of Chinatown are nearly empty due to health concerns to stop the spread of COVID-19 in New York City on April 20, 2020. NOW: A lively stream of pedestrians passes through the instersection of Pell and Doyers streets in the Chinatown section of New York City on March 19, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Fearless Girl on Broad Street

THEN:  The Fearless Girl statue keeps a solitary watch on the exterior of the New York Stock Exchange, which is bereft of visitors due to COVID-19 health concerns in New York City on April 20, 2020. NOW: Visitors provide Fearless Girl with plenty of company outside the New York Stock Exchange on March 15, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Grand Central Terminal

THEN: This section of New York City's Grand Central Terminal is bereft of travelers due to health risks of COVID-19 on May 15, 2020. NOW: A lively flow of people passes through Grand Central Terminal on April 2, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Grand Central Terminal

THEN:  A nearly empty Grand Central Terminal is quiet due to health risks of COVID-19 on May 15, 2020. NOW: People walk to their destinations and take photos inside New York City's Grand Central Terminal on April 2, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Grand Station Terminal Platforms

THEN: Health concerns over the risks of COVID-19 leave the train platform desolate at New York City's Grand Central Terminal on May 15, 2020. NOW: Commuters pour out of the Metro North train at Grand Central Terminal on March 15, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Herald Square

THEN:  New York City's efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 leave Herald Square abandoned on April 9, 2020. NOW: People sit at tables outside of Macy’s in New York City's Herald Square on March 13, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Madison Square Garden

THEN: Madison Square Garden on Eighth Avenue in midtown Manhattan is quiet due to health concerns to stop the spread of COVID-19 on April 9, 2020. NOW: A steady flow of people walk past Madison Square Garden on March 21, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Museum of Natural History

THEN: Efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 leave the street outside the Museum of Natural History quiet and no visitors within on April 23, 2020. NOW: People visit the Museum of Natural History on Manhattan's Upper West Side section on March 11, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center

THEN:  Empty streets surround Radio City Music Hall and the NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan during efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 on April 9, 2020. NOW: Pedestrians stream past New York City's Radio City Music Hall and the NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center on March 25, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

The Oculus

THEN: Popular destinations like The Oculus at the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan are quiet due to health risks of COVID-19 on May 13, 2020. NOW: People walk through the Oculus Transportation Hub in New York City on March 15, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Park Avenue

THEN: Health mandates imposed to stop the spread of COVID-19 leave Park Avenue empty and quiet on May 15, 2020. NOW: Traffic returns to normal on Park Avenue at 51st Street in the Midtown section of New York City on March 19, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

New York Public Library

THEN:  A nearly empty sidewalk along Fifth Avenue mirrors the vacant New York Public Library in midtown Manhattan on April 15, 2020. NOW: Visitors stream in and out of the New York Public Library at 5th Avenue and 42nd Street while some pause to sit on its steps on April 2, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Radio City Music Hall 

THEN: New York City's Radio City Music Hall near Rockefeller Center is quiet due to health concerns sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic on April 15, 2020. NOW: Pedestrian and vehicle traffic show a resurgence outside of Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center in New York City on March 25, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Then: New York City's St. Patrick’s Cathedral stands isolated along Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan on April 15, 2020. Now: Traffic and people flow past St. Patrick's Cathedral on busy Fifth Avenue in the midtown Manhattan on March 14, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Times Square

THEN: Times Square, which is normally packed with visitors and commuters, stands forlorn on April 9, 2020, due to efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. NOW: Visitors surge through midtown Manhattan's Times Square, pausing for photos or to take in the view on March 21, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Times Square II

THEN: Times Square stands empty in midtown Manhattan due to health concerns sparked by the spread of COVID-19 in New York City on April 15, 2020. NOW: Tourists once again surge through Times Square near W. 43rd Street on March 25, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Times Square III

THEN: National Guardsmen gather in Times Square as part of efforts to help quell the spread of COVID-19 on April 15, 2020. NOW: Visitors enjoy the sights and lights of Times Square in New York City on March 25, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Times Square IV

THEN: A billboard in desolate Times Square urges readers to help out those who find themselves unemployed due to the unprecedented effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City on April 9, 2020. NOW: It's business as usual in Times Square as traffic winds its way along Broadway in the heart of New York City on March 25, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Times Square V

THEN: Measures to control the spread of COVID-19 leaves no one on the streets to read the billboards lining Times Square sporting messages of gratitude for frontline workers on April 9, 2020. NOW: New York City's Times Square is packed once again with visitors from around the world on March 25, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Union Square Subway Station

THEN: The area around the Union Square subway station and park is sparsely populated due to health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak in New York City on May 7, 2020. NOW: The sidewalk is active around the Union Square subway station in New York City on March 20, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Washington Square Park 

THEN: The arch at Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village is quiet due to health measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 on May 7, 2020. NOW: Foot traffic surrounds the Washington Square Arch on March 14, 2025. (Photos: Gordon Donovan)

Photos taken in 2020 using the following gear — Canon EOS-1D X Camera • Canon 11-24 mm ƒ4.0 Lens • Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens 

Photos taken in 2025 using the following gear — Canon EOS R3 Camera • Canon 11-24 mm ƒ4.0 Lens • Canon RF 24-105mm f/4.0 Lens