New Yorkers are just....well....squirrelly:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ghborhood-fear

At least three people in Rego Park, in the borough of Queens, have been jumped upon and bitten by the possibly deranged squirrel in recent weeks. The tree-based rodent’s reign of terror has made some people in the area afraid to go outside without being armed with pepper spray or other anti-squirrel weaponry.
Anti-squirrel weaponry?

“I came out of the house with a shovel after the first few days but now I think ‘I have the vaccine, I’m wearing heavy gloves, bring it on,’” she said.
Pretty sure you are at risk for rabies there, sweetheart, not COVID-19