ALBANY N.Y. — A “historic mistake”: Gov. Andrew Cuomo criticized the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis as several states continue to see increasing numbers of the virus.
While New York’s totals continue to trend downward, the governor voiced concerns during his daily briefing Wednesday. Aside from concern for the wellbeing for other Americans, the governor said he is worried about the potential spread of the virus to New York.
Cuomo has credited the state’s response and reopening plan with helping keep the state on the downswing when it comes to the virus. With around 1,400 new hospitalizations and 17 deaths, New York’s rates are at their lowest in months.
In contrast, Cuomo said nearly 20 states are in the midst of an upswing amid their reopenings.
The governor called on the federal government to revise its guidance related to reopening and how the virus is handled.
“You have 20 states where you have the COVID virus increasing in a matter of numbers…the states without the smart reopening plans are going up,” he said Wednesday.
“When the virus goes up, the financial markets go down. When the virus goes up, consumer confidence goes down. When the virus spread goes up, people get more nervous and less confident about government and about the plan and about their future,” he added. “…in New York, we stay smart.”
The governor says 60,000 tests were conducted within New York in the past 24 hours, and that the state has moved from the worst state of the COVID battle in the U.S. to one of the best.
This comes as the Capital Region in New York enters phase three of reopening. New York City is set to enter phase two on Monday.
As regions continue to work on their reopenings, Cuomo stressed the crucial roles local leaders will play going forward. He added he will be signing legislation to protect healthcare workers who act as whistleblowers in regards of patient care and workplace safety.
While he said the state is in “good shape” relative to the virus, the governor said it is still too soon to say whether there will be in-person classes for the fall semester. Cuomo said many questions, including virus rates in other states and questions of potential spread during recent protests, are still lingering.
Wednesday, the governor also announced an executive order ahead of Juneteenth, the date which marks the emancipation of those who were enslaved in the United States. Cuomo’s executive order makes Juneteenth a holiday for state employees this year.
The governor says he plans to advance legislation which would make Juneteenth an official state holiday effective next year.
— 13 WHAM