Business leaders ask de Blasio to improve New York City in the wake of COVID-19

Why it matters via Axios' Jennifer Kingson: New York City is a success story in beating back COVID-19, but many of its wealthiest and most successful residents have fled, some of them never to return.

What they're saying: "Despite New York’s success in containing the coronavirus, unprecedented numbers of New Yorkers are unemployed, facing homelessness, or otherwise at risk," the letter from business leaders read.

• "There is widespread anxiety over public safety, cleanliness and other quality of life issues that are contributing to deteriorating conditions in commercial districts and neighborhoods across the five boroughs."
• "We urge you to take immediate action to restore essential services as a necessary precursor for solving the city’s longer term, complex, economic challenges."

The other side: "We’re grateful for our business community and are partnering to rebuild a fairer, better city," de Blasio said on Twitter.

• "Let’s be clear: To restore city services and save jobs, we need long term borrowing and a federal stimulus — we need these leaders to join the fight to move the City forward."