London went through a Plague many times and bounced back each time. Even if it takes a decade or two, inevitably New York will be back at the top.
—
I agree that great cities in the past survived many crisis (including the plague) and returned to greatness.
But I think the reason they did is because the purpose of having a city where it is remained.
Today in the digital age what is the purpose of New York?
New York has a harbor, but so do other places.
Retail stores (and services) go where the people are, and people go where there are jobs.
It is possible for individuals to work from almost anywhere, there home or satellite offices.
Detroit is a failed city because the reason Detroit existed went away. New York is not all that special, it too could become a failed wasteland.
New York was a great city, because it maintained a “critical mass” of coolness.
There were a large number of very wealthy people who liked NYC because of all the amenities, the shops, the entertainment, the opportunities to mingle and party with other members of the Elite.
The longer this lockdown lasts, the more the Elites who sustained the city will disperse elsewhere.