Jerry Seinfeld hits back at claims that New York is ‘dead’ after pandemic in scathing essay

‘This stupid virus will give up eventually. The same way you have’

Jerry Seinfeld at an event for his show 'Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee' on 17 July 2019 in Beverly Hills. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Netflix)

Jerry Seinfeld has hit back at claims that New York City is “dead forever” as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The comedian spoke out in an essay published on Monday by The New York Times.

In the piece, Seinfeld, a Brooklyn native, responds to another opinion piece published on LinkedIn by James Altucher, a venture capitalist, entrepreneur, podcast host, and former hedge fund manager.

Altucher’s essay argues that New York City is now “completely dead” and won’t bounce back from the business shutdowns and exoduses of people who moved away, perhaps permanently, during the pandemic.

Seinfeld’s piece takes the opposite view, asserting instead that New York City will, in fact, bounce back, thanks to the “real, tough New Yorkers” who have stuck with the city.

A restaurant offers outdoor dining as New York City continues phase four of re-opening during the coronavirus pandemic, on 22 August 2020. The fourth phase allows outdoor arts and entertainment, sporting events without fans and media production. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

“The last thing we need in the thick of so many challenges is some putz on LinkedIn wailing and whimpering, ‘Everyone’s gone! I want 2019 back!’” the comedian wrote, adding: “Oh, shut up. Imagine being in a real war with this guy by your side.”

The comedian goes on to argue that people will at some point go back to meeting in real life rather than remotely, because the latter provides “no energy”.

“Real, live, inspiring human energy exists when we coagulate together in crazy places like New York City,” he adds.

“Feeling sorry for yourself because you can’t go to the theatre for a while is not the essential element of character that made New York the brilliant diamond of activity it will one day be again.”

Seinfeld then predicts: “This stupid virus will give up eventually. The same way you have.”

New York City will rise again, he argues, “because of all the real, tough New Yorkers who, unlike you, loved it and understood it, stayed and rebuilt it”.

The titular sitcom Seinfeld was based in New York City. While most scenes were shot out of a studio in California, the show references multiple places around the city and encapsulates many aspects of its culture in the Nineties.