Nelson Mills

What does normal look like?

I’d accept a “normal for now” that involved getting (mostly) back to the office and school, with the number and severity of cases dropping to a level that doesn’t overburden our health care system. Some adjustments are here to stay for a while — e.g., staying vigilant around our most vulnerable and continuing to wear masks in cramped public spaces. But I’ll accept those things in order to get back to the rest of it.

If you could go back in time to March of 2020, what’s the first thing you would do?

Load up on Amazon stock!

What do you do now that you never did before 2020?

Dining outside and family Zoom calls.

What’s the biggest threat to the return to normal?

Misinformation and distrust around our public health protections, remedies and policies.  On either side of the vaccine debate, we all can do better.

Is now the time to buy or sell? 

Buy! Especially Manhattan office.

Suddenly, there’s a big change to the New York state constitution and you’re now named the 58th governor of the Empire State — what do you do about the eviction moratorium?

So far, I believe the state is striking the right balance between compassion for tenants and fairness and incentives for landlords. Monitoring and accountability, with a reasonable path back to market drivers, are key. 

Lightning round

Eric Adams or Curtis Sliwa? 

I’m encouraged by the new energy and ideas on both sides, although it looks like the odds are in Mr. Adams’ favor.

Last time you got on an airplane, what was your destination?

Montauk to Manhattan. What a view!

What vax did you get? 

Moderna.

Your go-to takeout?

Eataly.

Where does your patience wear thinnest — evictions or anti-vaxxers?

Anti-vaxxers. I realize  some have legitimate concerns, but it’s time to move past the politics and conspiracies, and beat this thing!