Monday night, the Empire State Building’s iconic spire was illuminated red and white to act as a siren honoring New York City’s health care workers who risk their lives to treat coronavirus patients.
"Starting tonight through the COVID-19 battle, our signature white lights will be replaced by the heartbeat of America with a white and red siren in the mast for heroic emergency workers on the front line of the fight," the building's account tweeted.
The effect was coupled with Alicia Keys’ song “Empire State of Mind.”
Many New Yorkers appreciated the sentiment, calling it “beautiful.”
Others thought the display was “anxiety inducing,” even traumatic, especially in the middle of the hardest-hit city in the United States.
“I understand the intent as a tribute, but it looks like New York is sending a SOS signal like the world is over,” one user replied.
»COMPLETE COVERAGE: CORONAVIRUS
As of Tuesday, New York had the highest number of positive coronavirus cases in the United States, with numbers topping 75,000.
"I've practiced emergency medicine for a long time, and I'm seeing things that I never could have imagined in terms of the things this virus can do to all ages, including people who were previously healthy," said Dr. Eric Wei of Elmhurst Hospital in Queens.
New York City is still bracing for the worst, according to The Associated Press. Makeshift hospitals are being set up, out-of-town paramedics and ambulances have been called in, and victim's bodies are being stashed in refrigerated trucks.
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New York residents appreciate the tireless work on the medical front, though. Twitter users report that people clap from their apartments every evening at 7 to thank the health care workers and first responders.
“We will get through this 💯🖤,” one said.
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