Why Layoffs Would Hurt City

To the Editor: The threat of layoffs of dedicated city workers because of the economic fallout from COVID-19 is sad and alarming. Many of our colleagues risked their lives to bring our city through this public- health crisis. Others of us innovated to learn new ways of fulfilling our duties from home. All of us have tried our best to serve the city that we love. It seems ungrateful to lay off the people who have served us so selflessly.

Although we have kept the disease at bay for a long time, public-health experts warn that we might face a resurgence this fall. What will happen if we lay off the nurses and emergency medical technicians needed to care for us? Furthermore, with too many New Yorkers unemployed, what will it do to our economy if we lose even more jobs?