NYC to erect monument to pandemic essential workers

Essential workers on the 20th day of a hunger strike sit in chairs during a demonstration on April 04, 2021 in New York City. AFP FILE PHOTO

NEW YORK — A monument to essential workers who risked their lives during the pandemic will open in New York in September, Governor Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday.

Nineteen red maple trees — one for each profession considered essential, like health care workers, teachers and store workers — will be arrayed around an eternal flame in Battery Park in view of the Statue of Liberty, according to renderings released by the governor’s office.

The new monument will be called the Circle of Heroes.

It was designed with input from essential workers, Cuomo said.

“While we will never be able to fully repay our essential workers, we can honor and celebrate them with this monument that will stand forever as a tribute to all that they have done for New York in our greatest moment of need and beyond,” Cuomo said in a statement.

“These heroes continue to inspire us every day and we are forever grateful for their service and sacrifice.”

The pandemic has claimed nearly 43,000 lives in New York state, more than 33,000 of them in New York City.

Among essential workers, Covid-19 killed more than 150 public transport workers and also took a heavy toll among frontline health care workers and delivery people.