Even before COVID-19, New York was already defined by a gap between the rich and poor. Yet during the pandemic, wealth has become a determinant of survival. The pandemic hit New York in the spring, with almost 800 people dying from COVID-19 each day in April. The city has been uneasy since then. People's lives have been shaken by months of stay-at-home orders, changing public health measures, "Black Lives Matter" protests, the presidential election, and above all the economic consequences of the pandemic, including ever-widening inequality between New Yorkers. Stefanie Dodt and Christiane Meier are the creators of "New York City Rich and Poor - The Inequality Crisis." They spent more than eight months following the lives of three New York families who inhabit the different strata of New York society - the bottom, the top and the middle. The documentary links this long period of observation with intensive data research and analysis and shows why, long before COVID-19, it was clear who the disease would hit hardest. The boundaries between rich and poor are often clearly defined by neighborhoods. Where a person lives determines their risk of becoming infected with the virus, and health has become more of a luxury than ever. The pandemic is spotlighting the scale and consequences of economic inequality in America. In New York, a city of extremes, the emphasis is white hot - and reflects in brash New York style the structural problems all of America is facing as COVID-19 further amplifies inequality. ------------------------------------------------------------------- DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary. Subscribe to: DW Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW39zufHfsuGgpLviKh297Q DW Documental (Spanish): null DW Documentary وثائقية دي دبليو: (Arabic): null For more visit: http://www.dw.com/en/tv/docfilm/s-3610 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwdocumentary/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dw.stories We kindly ask viewers to read and stick to the DW netiquette policy on our channel: https://p.dw.com/p/MF1G