Interesting perspective on the recent storm and its aftermath:

Those with a car could flee. Those with wealth could move into a  hotel. Those with steady jobs could decline to come into work. But the  city's cooks, doormen, maintenance men, taxi drivers and maids left  their loved ones at home.

New census data shows that the city is the most economically divided it has been in a decade, according to the New York Times. As has occurred across the country, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer….

Manhattan, the city's wealthiest and most gentrified borough, is an  extreme example. Inequality here rivals parts of sub-Saharan Africa.  Last year the wealthiest 20 percent of Manhattan residents made $391,022 a year on average, according to census data. The poorest 20 percent made $9,681.

All told, Manhattan's richest fifth made 40 times more money than its poorest fifth, up from 38 times in 2010. Only a handful of developing  countries – such as Namibia and Sierra Leone – have higher inequality  rates.

In the Union Square area, New York's privileged – including myself -  could have dinner, order a food delivery and pick up supplies an hour or two before Sandy made landfall. The cooks, cashiers and hotel workers  who stayed at work instead of rushing home made that possible.