Millburn Teen Makes Striking Film Of New York During Coronavirus

MILLBURN, NJ — Millburn High School freshman Peter Ren decided to document New York City amid the coronavirus, showing empty streets and stores that have been shut.

Ren rode around on April 9 to make the 5-minute-and-25-second film, now viewable on YouTube. In the notes under his video, he says, "Please continue social distancing so we can end this pandemic and see the New York city we have always known."

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As of Wednesday, there were more than 6,500 confirmed deaths in New York City from the coronavirus, but officials revised the total to more than 11,000 after including people who died with symptoms but were not tested. The first recorded death in the United States from the virus was about seven weeks ago.

New Jersey has been the second hardest hit state in terms of deaths, with 3,518 as of Thursday.

Ren narrates the film, with music.

He filmed the temporary hospitals under tents in Central Park, subway entrances and the 9/11 memorial.

He notes an ambulance near Wall Street, waiting for a patient, and empty streets. One building has a huge American flag draped over the front.

"In my memories, Wall Street was always bustling," he wrote.

He said people there are "filled with fear and apprehension, which is extremely out of character for New Yorkers."

At the end, he displays documents showing that social distancing can help flatten the curve.

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