Cuomo Says New York Stay-At-Home Will Be Extended To May 15
Governor cites death high rate, offers to show bodies to pandemic skeptics
By Brendan Lyons Albany Times Union April 16, 2020
ALBANY — Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Thursday said that New York’s stay-at-home measures, including closing businesses and schools, will remain in place through at least May 15. The continued shutdown will be done in coordination with other northeast states.
Washington, D.C., and the city of Los Angeles have also extended their stay-at-home orders through May 15.
Still, the rate of hospitalizations from COVID-19, including those on ventilators and in intensive care units, is continuing to decline in New York, Cuomo said.
The data cited by the governor at his daily briefing indicates New York may have crossed the apex of the pandemic several days ago, although deaths remain high, with the state reporting 606 fatalities associated with the infectious disease on Wednesday.
“You still have 2,000 people everyday who … are walking into a hospital for the first time (with COVID-19) or who are being diagnosed with COVID-19 for the first time,” Cuomo said. “We don’t know how many people have been infected or are getting infected. We only know how many people walk into a hospital or get tested in a nursing home.”
The governor pledged to issue more detailed information on Thursday regarding fatalities in nursing homes.
Interactive map of the coronavirus across in New York
On Wednesday night, Cuomo signed an executive order requiring anyone more than 2-years-old, and who is able, to wear a mask or cloth face covering in situations where social distancing is not possible. The order goes into effect at 8 p.m. on Friday. There will be no penalty for violations.
“The masks work,” Cuomo said, adding that face coverings will also be required for those using public and for-hire transportation, including buses and trains. “I’m fully aware of the opposition to wearing a mask. … I understand that people do not like it, some people do not like it … and it is a government overreach. By the way, some people think the close-down order was a government overreach.”
Cuomo pointed to the high rate of deaths and he offered to show the bodies to skeptics who believe the pandemic is a hoax or government conspiracy.
“Six hundred people died yesterday and that’s a reality we deal with every day,” he said. “I’m asking New Yorkers to wear a mask. … If you have the virus, you can infect other people. … I also understand what 600 deaths means, I understand the toll on the health care system. Asking New Yorkers to wear a mask, at this time, is more than reasonable.”
How to make your own face mask to stop the spread of coronavirus
Moments later, Cuomo clarified: “Remember, it’s not a mask … it can be fashionable.” He added the state is working with local governments to help provide face coverings to anyone who cannot afford one.\
Looking ahead, the rate of infection — how many people are infected by an individual carrying the disease — will be the key to reopening the economy. He said that New York’s rate today is less than one percent, but if it returns to 1.2 percent, that is enough to spark an increase in hospitalizations.
“If you go to 1.2 (percent) again you’re going to have a problem. So you see how narrow the window is,” he said. “If one person basically infects one more person the rate of spread is stable. When you have one person infects two people or more … that’s fire through dry grass. This is what we have to control as we start to reopen the economy.”
Cuomo urged New Yorkers to continue being vigilant about social distancing, washing hands, wearing masks, using hand sanitizer and taking steps to minimize the spread.