LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Governor Cuomo gave his daily coronavirus update on Sunday touting some reportedly positive news for the State of New York.
During his press briefing the Governor noted the following:
Nursing homes are reportedly still the number one concern where 1.1 million healthcare frontline workers have made all the difference in the world and the 95,000 healthcare workers in and around NYS who volunteered to help.
Massachusetts has reportedly seen an increase in cases and may need 400 ventilators. New York State has reportedly already identified them and will provide them on 24-hour notice if needed.
The Governor said, “This is only halftime””The war is not won.” The second phase involves reopening, while doing so the goal is to do not harm, and to not jeopardize the progress that has already been made by potentially increasing hospitalizations again. The key the Governor said is to be smart and develop new testing, and learn from out lessons in order to build back better than before.
The Governor said statewide antibody testing in NYS means thousands of samples will reportedly be collected over the next few weeks lead by the Department of Health (DOH).
Antibody testing means you will have the antibodies if you had tested positive for COVID-19 at some point. An email was reportedly sent to the DOH in order to find out what their plan of attack is for the region, which could potentially consisist of random sampling where people cannot ask to be tested which could mean roughly 2,000 tests per day, or 14,000 per week if the FDA approves the tests.
The Governor said diagnostic testing could mean positive or negative results, but he said they are working with the federal government on this. Governor Cuomo reportedly spoke with the head of the CDC.
Governor Cuomo also said that in order to reopen the states need federal aid and without it we could reportedly see 50% cuts to education funding, cuts to hospital funding, and so on. The National Governor’s Association has reportedly asked for $500 billion in funding for states on a bipartisan basis.
Governor Cuomo also noted the fact that the weather is getting nicer which means cabin fever could get worse. He said state parks are open, beaches are closed, and marinas are open as well in New York State. In New Jersey, their state parks are currently closed, some beaches are either open/closed, and marinas are open as well. In Connecticut, their state parks are reportedly open, their beaches are open, as well as their marinas.
Governor Cuomo said these decisions were given to State leaders and he said, “The state’s emergency powers govern… so blame me.”
Governor Cuomo ended by noting that New York will build back better through better healthcare, transit/telecommuting, telemedicine, smarter tech in schools, more social equality, and a more cohesive spirit of community.
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