Why the Empire State Building, and New York, May Never Be the Same

 

為何帝國大廈與紐約市可能不再跟以前一樣

【摘要2021.12.24.五.自由】◎張沛元

It once symbolized an urban way of working, and the city’s resilience. In the pandemic’s second year, the future of the world’s most famous skyscraper is in doubt.

它一度象徵一種都會的工作方式與這座城市的韌性。值此疫情大流行第2年，這座全球最知名的摩天大樓的未來仍在未定之天。

The Empire State Building, like the city it inhabits, relies on a steady stream of tourists, thriving retail businesses and companies willing to lease its vast amount of office space.

（美國紐約市）帝國大廈一如其所棲息的城市，仰賴穩定的觀光客流、興旺的零售業，以及願意租賃其大量辦公室空間的公司行號。

The coronavirus pandemic emptied out the attractions, shops and offices, in both the building and the city, for months.

但新冠病毒大流行清空這幢大樓與紐約市的觀光景點、商店與辦公室（的人潮）達數月之久。

Like other tourist attractions around New York City, the famous observatories on the Empire State Building’s 86th and 102nd floors sat nearly empty for months.

一如紐約市各地其他的觀光景點，位於帝國大廈86樓與102樓的知名觀景台，已有數月幾乎空無一人。

新聞辭典

in doubt：片語，不肯定的，不確定的，感到懷疑的，拿不准的。例句：The future of the company is still in doubt because of a lack of business.（該公司的未來因缺乏業務以致仍前途未卜。）

rely on/upon someone or something：慣用語，依賴；依靠；依仗某人或某事。例句：Stop relying on your parents for making a decision.（不要再靠父母作決定了。）

empty out：片語，清空，騰空，空無一人；（引申）嘔吐、排泄。