Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have analyzed some of the many cases involving the "COVID defenses," i.e. defenses to commercial rent nonpayment predicated in some manner on the pandemic (see our columns of Dec. 2, 2020, Feb. 2, 2021 and June 1, 2021).  In our June 1, 2021 column, we stated: "As New York proceeds slowly but surely toward a semblance of pre-pandemic normalcy…the era of COVID-related defenses to commercial rent nonpayment may soon become a thing of the past."