So the date was moved by airbnb, and I got a "credit" towards future airbnb purchases.
This ends my relationship with airbnb. The service really didn't offer much that hotels do not. I have used the service about 5 times, and it is roughly comparable in price and features to hotels. I don't do "room in a house" type rentals, we tried it and didn't like it. For the price of a good hotel room, you can get a whole apartment, but most of the advantages of that we don't use. I don't cook meals on vacation, so don't use the kitchen.
Using any travel service, hotel or airbnb, involves substantial risk, and the Covid crisis illustrates that well. I have always had good luck with hotels. They have been willing to refund for good reason even when it is my fault. In contrast, the airbnb host in New York never returned my calls or emails. I was very reasonable in a bad situation. Going to NY was getting worse and worse, and at this writing would be certifiably insane. I offered to move the reservation, no refund, and I got stonewalled in a very unprofessional manner. Waiting 1 hour online with airbnb got me "we will check into your case", followed by a form letter.
So one apartment owner here declared that I am a whiner. Well, lets see if the next time you are robbed on the streets of New York of $500 if you still feel you are a whiner.
As for me, I am done. Airbnb does not provide reward sufficient to cover their risk.
Scott