The Guardian’s Kenya Evelyn recaps New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s daily coronavirus briefing:
Cuomo appeared to take a swipe at Donald Trump, who faces mounting criticism for his response to the pandemic.
“You’re not going to tweet your way through this,” the Democratic governor said. “You have to be competent.”
Cuomo insisted government is more important now than it’s ever been in his lifetime. With 105 deaths confirmed Tuesday, New York state has now reach nearly 23,000 reported deaths from the virus.
Still, the state’s Capital Region, which includes Albany in the East, will begin the first phase of its reopening on Wednesday. The area joins the state’s Western region, including Buffalo, which began reopening earlier this week.
But when asked about any state cooperation with the federal government, Cuomo mostly reiterated the limits of a state government that “does not do borders and customs,” continuing his argument that the lack of an earlier European travel ban fueled the virus’ spread.
Bernadette Hogan
(@bern_hogan)NEW: @NYGovCuomo announces Capital Region can start Phase 1 of NYS economic reopening TOMORROW.
Contact tracers are still being trained. pic.twitter.com/UApBG1mRsg
But Cuomo did urge the US Senate to act on a bill passed by the House of Representatives that would include relief funding for state and local governments. He also contended any coronavirus vaccine must be distributed to everyone once it is developed.
“It can’t be a situation where only the rich and only the privileged get the vaccine because only one company gets the rights and they can’t produce for everyone,” he said.
On the multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children, the governor confirmed New York now has seen 137 cases of the illness that is linked to coronavirus. Cuomo said he expects things to get much worse before getting better.
He then erroneously charged that New York was the first to raise a flag on the illness. Countries in Europe, including the UK and Italy, have recently released studies warning of the outbreak among children.
New York state will also start a 2-week pilot program to allow hospitals to admit visitors wearing personal protective equipment, the governor confirmed. The new measures are a relief for patients, many of whom have been gone without seeing family for weeks at a time.
Cuomo also announced the state will allow Memorial Day ceremonies with 10 people or less to honor or mourn fallen military personnel.
