Empire State Building’s Ambulance Siren Tribute Turns Into Eerie Display Instead
Image via Shutterstock
New York City’s Empire State Building lit up on Monday night to honor the frontline professionals who have been working tirelessly to fight the coronavirus.
The lights on top of the skyscraper turned red, while the pinnacle was surrounded by white lights to resemble a siren.
“Starting tonight through the COVID-19 battle, our signature white lights will be replaced by the heartbeat of America with a white and red siren in the mast for heroic emergency workers on the front line of the fight,” the official Empire State Building Twitter account wrote.
Unfortunately, the act of solidarity turned into an anxiety-induced one, as the display was surrounded by low clouds, creating a foreboding feel.
“The @EmpireStateBldg reminding us that the city is in the middle of an emergency,” Twitter user Rita King wrote, sharing an unsettling photo of the scene.
King explained that while she supports the cause, she recommends that “the siren be replaced by the pulsing heartbeat effect to reassure our heroic healthcare workers that their efforts will succeed, and soothe nervous New Yorkers now sheltering in place.”
Another user suggested that the building should maintain its iconic white lights instead of looking “like they are also panicking.”
[1/2] We’ll never stop shining for you.
— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) March 30, 2020
Starting tonight through the COVID-19 battle, our signature white lights will be replaced by the heartbeat of America with a white and red siren in the mast for heroic emergency workers on the front line of the fight. pic.twitter.com/OYkblLTRHN
❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/Db8YtLMTzC
— ᎠᏋᏋ✨ (@Daniii1221) March 31, 2020
The @EmpireStateBldg reminding us that the city is in the middle of an emergency. pic.twitter.com/50TjEjOogN
— Rita J. King (@RitaJKing) March 31, 2020
I fully support the intention of this effort by the @EmpireStateBldg but recommend that the siren be replaced by the iconic pulsing heartbeat effect to reassure our heroic healthcare workers that their efforts will succeed, and soothe nervous New Yorkers now sheltering in place. pic.twitter.com/ajarFqrIu9
— Rita J. King (@RitaJKing) March 31, 2020
It looks like a red siren. I see it from my apartment and it sends the wrong message. I love the thought and the intention behind it. But please think of a different color and cadence to bring us all together.
— Lina Srivastava (@lksriv) March 31, 2020
Intense, beautiful, poignant. ❤️🚨🗽 pic.twitter.com/qU9mCrF0LF
— swnyc (@slwolfe2) March 31, 2020
#EmpireStateBuilding #COVID19 #COVID19nyc pic.twitter.com/VEDfoZTVQz
— swnyc (@slwolfe2) March 31, 2020
The intention is great, but the effect is terrifying.
— Ronnie O'Rourke (@tdciago) March 31, 2020
A little too reminiscent of this, maybe? pic.twitter.com/cMxEBfNEjc
— [email protected] (@PaulWuster) March 31, 2020
I understand the intent as a tribute, but it looks like New York is sending a SOS signal like the world is over.
— Eddie (@eddiefreshly) March 31, 2020
Just make it a normal Empire State Building. Nice, soothing white. A symbol of New York. Our buildings do not need to look like they are also panicking.
— annie (@anyway413) March 31, 2020
we know we've really screwed things up when the empire state building gets mad https://t.co/e5TKPzdMHC
— becca 💛💛 ✺ Ψ ||-// ☬ ғ̶ᴘ̶ᴇ̶ 🕯🖐☀️💧 (@truce_top) March 31, 2020
[via New York Post, opening image via Shutterstock]
