Governor Cuomo's Daily COVID-19 Briefing

LongIsland.com

Governor Cuomo's Daily COVID-19 Briefing from Friday.

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There were 15,740 deaths in NYS as of yesterday.
 1,296 new COVID hospitalizations yesterday.
 422 total deaths in NY yesterday:
o 398 in hospitals; and
o 24 in nursing homes.
 
Reopening NYS
 We are not on the list of states that have submitted a reopening plan.
 CDC guidance states that before any state reopens, we need two weeks of a flattening
or a declining curve.
 Will make a decision regarding 'PAUSE' order in the next week.
 
Mortgages and Rents
 State is considering a number of options to deal with rent and mortgage payments when the moratorium ends.
 Rent is controlled by the rent board in NYC, decision is up to them.
 
Epidemiology of the Virus
 There were likely 28K cases in the U.S. in February and more than 10K in NY.
 NY strains came from Europe, most likely Italy.
 Between the beginning of the spread of virus in January to
 
European shutdown in March, approximately 13K flights came to NY and NJ bringing 2.2M people into the region.
 How long does the virus live?
o Up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel.
o Up to 24 hours on cardboard.
o Up to four hours on materials like copper.
o Can hang in the air for up to three hours before falling.
 
Reimagine NY: State Finances
 NYS revenues will decline.
o $13.3B shortfall from Executive Budget forecast.
o $61B over the financial plan period of NY 2021 to FY 2024.
 Government spending and tax rates are lower now than in the past.
 In response to suggestion for states to declare bankruptcy,
 
Governor Cuomo suggested that a bill be passed allowing states to declare bankruptcy.
 
Executive Orders
 Citizens shouldn't have to choose between health and voting rights.
 Executive Order was issued allowing all New Yorkers to vote absentee.
 Today, an Executive Order will be issued ensuring every
 
New Yorker automatically receives a postage-paid application to receive a ballot.
 More testing, watch the spread of the virus, social distancing.
 The state will reopen and rebuild better and smarter.
o Healthcare, transportation, telemedicine, education technology.
 
Testing & Tracing
 In response to UV treatments for COVID-19, DOH Commissioner Zucker suggested that caution be exercised where chemicals are involved.
 Cuomo has been discussing supply chain issues with the
 
White House in order to increase testing.
 Cuomo reiterated his desire to reach testing capacity of 40K a day.
 As antibody results become available, they will be reported.
 Zucker reiterated the comprehensive plan for screening and evaluating staff members in nursing homes.
 If counties would like to know anti-body test results, that information can be made available according to Zucker.
 
Elections
 Cuomo stated that people can go to the polls or vote absentee, what kind of options could there possibly be? If people don't vote absentee, you risk large gatherings at the
poll.
 Absentee applications will be sent, not ballots according to
DeRosa as the temporary illness provision was amended to risk of contraction. Every registered voter will automatically receive one as opposed to filing for one to streamline the process.