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Governor and Mayor Hit Back at Trump Over Ventilators for Coronavirus: Live Updates Governor and Mayor Hit Back at Trump Over Ventilators for Coronavirus: Live Updates
(about 1 hour later)
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Friday rebutted President Trump’s comments that New York was overstating its need for ventilators and that the state was overlooking thousands of the machines in storage.Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Friday rebutted President Trump’s comments that New York was overstating its need for ventilators and that the state was overlooking thousands of the machines in storage.
“We’re gathering them in the stockpile so that when we need them they will be there,” Mr. Cuomo said of the ventilators. “We don’t need them today because we’re not at capacity today.”“We’re gathering them in the stockpile so that when we need them they will be there,” Mr. Cuomo said of the ventilators. “We don’t need them today because we’re not at capacity today.”
Later, in an interview on the radio station WAMC, Mr. Cuomo took another swipe at Mr. Trump while discussing the topic.Later, in an interview on the radio station WAMC, Mr. Cuomo took another swipe at Mr. Trump while discussing the topic.
“It’s a sort of sensational but ignorant point,” the governor said, adding that “if he got it from Fox, you know the old expression, garbage in, garbage out? That’s what I would say about that.”“It’s a sort of sensational but ignorant point,” the governor said, adding that “if he got it from Fox, you know the old expression, garbage in, garbage out? That’s what I would say about that.”
The governor’s remarks came as deaths related to the virus statewide jumped by 134 in 24 hours, to 519.The governor’s remarks came as deaths related to the virus statewide jumped by 134 in 24 hours, to 519.
In an interview on Fox News on Thursday, Mr. Trump scoffed at New York’s claim that it needs at least 30,000 ventilators — machines that help the sickest patients keep breathing — to fight the crisis. State officials have repeatedly asked the federal government to help close a shortfall they have estimated at more than 20,000.In an interview on Fox News on Thursday, Mr. Trump scoffed at New York’s claim that it needs at least 30,000 ventilators — machines that help the sickest patients keep breathing — to fight the crisis. State officials have repeatedly asked the federal government to help close a shortfall they have estimated at more than 20,000.
“You know, you go into major hospitals, sometimes they’ll have two ventilators and now, all of a sudden, they’re saying, ‘Can we order 30,000 ventilators?’” Mr. Trump said in the interview. “I don’t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators.”“You know, you go into major hospitals, sometimes they’ll have two ventilators and now, all of a sudden, they’re saying, ‘Can we order 30,000 ventilators?’” Mr. Trump said in the interview. “I don’t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Friday that Mr. Trump failed to grasp the outbreak’s severity. “He’s not looking at the facts of the astronomical growth of this crisis,” the mayor said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Friday that Mr. Trump failed to grasp the outbreak’s severity. “He’s not looking at the facts of the astronomical growth of this crisis,” the mayor said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
As of Friday morning, 1,583 coronavirus patients in New York State were in intensive care units, nearly all of them on ventilators — a number that has almost doubled in two days. The state has projected that the need for I.C.U. beds will grow for at least several weeks.As of Friday morning, 1,583 coronavirus patients in New York State were in intensive care units, nearly all of them on ventilators — a number that has almost doubled in two days. The state has projected that the need for I.C.U. beds will grow for at least several weeks.
“The only way we can obtain these ventilators is from the federal government,” Mr. Cuomo said this week. “Period.”“The only way we can obtain these ventilators is from the federal government,” Mr. Cuomo said this week. “Period.”
In a survey released on Friday, the United States Conference of Mayors found that 85 percent of American cities did not have an adequate supply of ventilators; 91 percent did not have an adequate supply of face masks for police officers, firefighters and paramedics; and 88 percent did not have enough personal protective equipment for those workers. In a survey released on Friday, the United States Conference of Mayors found that 85 percent of American cities did not have an adequate supply of ventilators.
Mr. Trump, who had been hesitant to use the Defense Production Act to mobilize private businesses to make ventilators, changed course on Friday, officially invoking the act to compel General Motors to produce the devices.Mr. Trump, who had been hesitant to use the Defense Production Act to mobilize private businesses to make ventilators, changed course on Friday, officially invoking the act to compel General Motors to produce the devices.
It was not clear that such a move would speed up production. Ventilators are complex machines, and manufacturers say they will be limited in part by the availability of parts.
The governor delivered his daily briefing on Friday at the Javits Center, a mammoth convention hall in Manhattan that, with the military’s help, was converted into an emergency hospital set to open next week.The governor delivered his daily briefing on Friday at the Javits Center, a mammoth convention hall in Manhattan that, with the military’s help, was converted into an emergency hospital set to open next week.
“What you did in this facility in one week, creating a hospital, is just incredible,” Mr. Cuomo said, addressing National Guard members.“What you did in this facility in one week, creating a hospital, is just incredible,” Mr. Cuomo said, addressing National Guard members.
Other developments from the day:Other developments from the day:
More than 44,600 people have tested positive for the virus, an increase of more than 7,300 from Thursday. More than 25,000 of the cases are in New York City. More than 44,600 people have tested positive for the virus, an increase of more than 7,300 from Thursday. More than 25,000 of the cases were in New York City.
In New Jersey, Gov. Philip D. Murphy said that 27 more people had died, bringing the total killed in the state by complications from the virus to 108. In addition, another 1,982 people tested positive for the virus; 8,825 people have tested positive overall.In New Jersey, Gov. Philip D. Murphy said that 27 more people had died, bringing the total killed in the state by complications from the virus to 108. In addition, another 1,982 people tested positive for the virus; 8,825 people have tested positive overall.
There were 6,481 hospitalized patients in New York, about 20 percent more than there were on Thursday. Of those, 1,583 were in intensive care. More than 2,000 had been discharged.There were 6,481 hospitalized patients in New York, about 20 percent more than there were on Thursday. Of those, 1,583 were in intensive care. More than 2,000 had been discharged.
More than 62,000 medical workers, many of them retired, have volunteered to help stem the crisis. Almost 10,100 mental health professionals have also stepped forward to treat New Yorkers coping with the effects of being isolated.More than 62,000 medical workers, many of them retired, have volunteered to help stem the crisis. Almost 10,100 mental health professionals have also stepped forward to treat New Yorkers coping with the effects of being isolated.
The governor said he would extend school closings statewide two more weeks, until April 15. Schools in New York City have already been ordered closed until then.The governor said he would extend school closings statewide two more weeks, until April 15. Schools in New York City have already been ordered closed until then.
The state needs 20 million N-95 masks, 30 million surgical masks, 45 million exam gloves, 20 million gowns and 30,000 ventilators, all astronomical amounts compared with New York’s current stockpile. It was not the joyous homecoming Fatehi Darhan had dreamed about while he lay alone for two weeks in a hospital room in Queens, fighting the coronavirus. He came close to death.
The governor said he would seek President Trump’s permission to authorize the construction of four more temporary hospitals in the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn and on Staten Island with a total capacity of 4,000 hospital beds. When he entered his small apartment in the Far Rockaway section of the borough and saw his three young children, their eyes longing for a fatherly hug, he fought every instinct to wrap his arms around them.
“I froze,” Mr. Darhan, 34, said. “I wanted to hug them, but it did not feel safe. I don’t know when I would feel safe hugging them again.”
Mr. Darhan’s misgivings underscore the difficulties of returning to normal life after surviving a disease that has changed almost every aspect of living in New York City.
Nearly a month after he became the first Queens resident to test positive for the virus, Mr. Darhan not only feels he cannot touch his children, but he has lost his job as an Uber driver and has no idea what is next, or how long he can pay his monthly bills.
“I’m worried,” he said.
In an email hinting that New York’s presidential primary, which is now scheduled for April 28, might be pushed back, the state Board of Elections advised counties on Friday to cease preparations for that date, at least temporarily.In an email hinting that New York’s presidential primary, which is now scheduled for April 28, might be pushed back, the state Board of Elections advised counties on Friday to cease preparations for that date, at least temporarily.
The email from the board’s executive directors, Robert Brehm and Todd Valentine, advised counties to “pause any major election related spending” to provide time for a “possible executive order from the governor on requests to postpone the primary.”The email from the board’s executive directors, Robert Brehm and Todd Valentine, advised counties to “pause any major election related spending” to provide time for a “possible executive order from the governor on requests to postpone the primary.”
Under the law, elections officials in New York’s 62 counties were to begin sending out cards this week advising voters of the primary’s date and the address of their polling places.Under the law, elections officials in New York’s 62 counties were to begin sending out cards this week advising voters of the primary’s date and the address of their polling places.
“This is a temporary pause on sending that mail out in case on Monday or Tuesday there is an executive order,” said Cheryl Couser, a spokeswoman for the elections board.
A bipartisan group of elections officials in New York asked the governor’s office this week to put off the election until June 23, citing coronavirus health concerns. Ten other states have already postponed their presidential primaries.A bipartisan group of elections officials in New York asked the governor’s office this week to put off the election until June 23, citing coronavirus health concerns. Ten other states have already postponed their presidential primaries.
A spokesman for Mr. Cuomo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.A spokesman for Mr. Cuomo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The two women showed no signs of infection when they arrived last week at a top New York City hospital to deliver their babies. For the second time in two days, a federal judge in Manhattan ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release medically vulnerable detainees because of concerns about the coronavirus.
But soon after the babies were born, the mothers’ conditions “deteriorated very quickly,” and they were admitted to the intensive care unit, said Dr. Mary D’Alton, the chief obstetrician and gynecologist at the NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center in Manhattan. On Friday, Judge Alison J. Nathan of Federal District Court ordered the immigration enforcement agency, known as ICE, to release four men with underlying medical problems who were being held in New Jersey and New York.
The women had undetected cases of the coronavirus, and more than 30 health care workers were exposed to the virus before the women learned they been infected. That prompted the NewYork-Presbyterian hospital network to bar partners and other support people from labor and delivery rooms, a policy that was adopted on Monday. One of the men has a compromised immune system because he is missing parts of his vital organs after a brutal assault, said Suchita Mathur, a lawyer with Bronx Defenders, which represented the plaintiffs with the Legal Aid Society.
So far, the babies do not seem to have contracted the virus. One of the mothers was discharged four days after delivering; the other remains hospitalized. The lawyers brought the lawsuit against ICE in the name of seven detainees last Friday. The agency released three of its own volition on Monday.
The members of the team who were exposed to the virus — doctors, residents and nurses — are monitoring themselves for signs of the disease, Dr. D’Alton said. The other four were ordered released on Friday from the Orange County Correctional Facility in New York, and the Essex County Correctional Facility and Bergen County Jail in New Jersey. One detainee tested positive for the virus at each of the New Jersey jails this week.
ICE agreed to release the men by 5 p.m. Friday.
On Thursday, Judge Analisa Torres of Federal District Court in Manhattan ordered ICE to release a separate group of 10 detainees being held at Hudson, Bergen and Essex County facilities in New Jersey.
For more than a week, the outcry resounded.For more than a week, the outcry resounded.
Even as most businesses in the state were shut down to halt the spread of the coronavirus, construction workers kept building luxury towers, squeezing 20 people at a time into service elevators and sharing portable restrooms.Even as most businesses in the state were shut down to halt the spread of the coronavirus, construction workers kept building luxury towers, squeezing 20 people at a time into service elevators and sharing portable restrooms.
On Friday morning, Mr. de Blasio said that all nonessential construction, including on luxury towers like a new Hard Rock Hotel in Manhattan, would cease. He said on WNYC radio that “based on what was absolute agreement between New York City and New York State,” Mr. Cuomo had decreed an end to nonessential construction.On Friday morning, Mr. de Blasio said that all nonessential construction, including on luxury towers like a new Hard Rock Hotel in Manhattan, would cease. He said on WNYC radio that “based on what was absolute agreement between New York City and New York State,” Mr. Cuomo had decreed an end to nonessential construction.
Mr. de Blasio added: “Any construction that is not about the public good is going to end. So luxury condos will not be built until this is over. Office buildings are not going to be built. ”Mr. de Blasio added: “Any construction that is not about the public good is going to end. So luxury condos will not be built until this is over. Office buildings are not going to be built. ”
Only projects that involve health care, transportation infrastructure, utilities, telecommunications, airports, hotels and seaports are allowed to continue operating, according to two people briefed on the plans. All others must stop, but the state is giving builders time to wind down their operations and secure the job sites.Only projects that involve health care, transportation infrastructure, utilities, telecommunications, airports, hotels and seaports are allowed to continue operating, according to two people briefed on the plans. All others must stop, but the state is giving builders time to wind down their operations and secure the job sites.
Projects that are allowed to proceed must adhere to social-distancing guidelines, including when workers ride service elevators, which are typically packed with 10 or more people. Sites that violate the regulations could be fined up to $10,000.Projects that are allowed to proceed must adhere to social-distancing guidelines, including when workers ride service elevators, which are typically packed with 10 or more people. Sites that violate the regulations could be fined up to $10,000.
New Jersey’s 375 long-term health care facilities and nursing homes have had no-visitor policies in place for nearly two weeks.New Jersey’s 375 long-term health care facilities and nursing homes have had no-visitor policies in place for nearly two weeks.
But on Friday, 55 nursing homes in the state had reported that at least one patient had tested positive for the coronavirus, up from 43 on Thursday.But on Friday, 55 nursing homes in the state had reported that at least one patient had tested positive for the coronavirus, up from 43 on Thursday.
Nineteen of the 108 people that died in New Jersey after contracting the virus were recently treated in a nursing home, according to Alexandra Altman, a spokeswoman for Gov. Philip D. Murphy.Nineteen of the 108 people that died in New Jersey after contracting the virus were recently treated in a nursing home, according to Alexandra Altman, a spokeswoman for Gov. Philip D. Murphy.
Two of the hardest-hit facilities, Family of Caring in Montclair and St. Joseph’s Senior Home in Woodbridge, are now considered sites of “outbreaks,” she said.Two of the hardest-hit facilities, Family of Caring in Montclair and St. Joseph’s Senior Home in Woodbridge, are now considered sites of “outbreaks,” she said.
Eleven recent deaths have been linked to Family of Caring. Six of those who died had tested positive for the virus; others died before their test results were returned or died of a respiratory illness before being tested.Eleven recent deaths have been linked to Family of Caring. Six of those who died had tested positive for the virus; others died before their test results were returned or died of a respiratory illness before being tested.
Officials at Family of Caring at Montclair, which remained open, did not return calls. St. Joseph’s closed on Wednesday after evacuating its 94 patients, most of whom were moved to a nursing home about a half-hour away.Officials at Family of Caring at Montclair, which remained open, did not return calls. St. Joseph’s closed on Wednesday after evacuating its 94 patients, most of whom were moved to a nursing home about a half-hour away.
There have been three deaths among the two dozen patients and five staff members to test positive for the virus, the state’s health commissioner said on Thursday.There have been three deaths among the two dozen patients and five staff members to test positive for the virus, the state’s health commissioner said on Thursday.
The fliers from the city went up on a Midtown Manhattan block where homeless people often sleep, warning that the stretch would be cleaned up on Friday and that anyone staying there must move.The fliers from the city went up on a Midtown Manhattan block where homeless people often sleep, warning that the stretch would be cleaned up on Friday and that anyone staying there must move.
“You must remove your belongings from this location by the date listed or YOUR BELONGINGS MAY BE DISCARDED,” read the fliers, which were placed on 34th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues by the city Department of Homeless Services. The fliers said shelter services were available.“You must remove your belongings from this location by the date listed or YOUR BELONGINGS MAY BE DISCARDED,” read the fliers, which were placed on 34th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues by the city Department of Homeless Services. The fliers said shelter services were available.
But advocates for homeless people said the directive contradicted new guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that homeless encampments should not be broken up amid the pandemic unless housing that provided for isolation was available.But advocates for homeless people said the directive contradicted new guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that homeless encampments should not be broken up amid the pandemic unless housing that provided for isolation was available.
Most of New York City’s homeless shelters for single adults have shared sleeping quarters and bathrooms, making isolation difficult if not impossible.Most of New York City’s homeless shelters for single adults have shared sleeping quarters and bathrooms, making isolation difficult if not impossible.
“Clearing encampments can cause people to disperse throughout the community and break connections with service providers.,” the C.D.C. website says. “This increases the potential for infectious disease spread.”“Clearing encampments can cause people to disperse throughout the community and break connections with service providers.,” the C.D.C. website says. “This increases the potential for infectious disease spread.”
The cleanup is scheduled to happen Friday night, officials said, adding that no homeless people or their belongings were on the block as of Friday afternoon.The cleanup is scheduled to happen Friday night, officials said, adding that no homeless people or their belongings were on the block as of Friday afternoon.
The virus is already spreading at city homeless shelters. As of Thursday, 59 people in 40 shelters had tested positive for the coronavirus and one had died. Two people who live on the street have also tested positive.The virus is already spreading at city homeless shelters. As of Thursday, 59 people in 40 shelters had tested positive for the coronavirus and one had died. Two people who live on the street have also tested positive.
Craig Hughes, a supervising social worker for the Safety Net Project at the Urban Justice Center, called the street-clearing policy “deplorable” and “harmful to homeless people.” Typically, he said, five to 10 people sleep scattered along the block.Craig Hughes, a supervising social worker for the Safety Net Project at the Urban Justice Center, called the street-clearing policy “deplorable” and “harmful to homeless people.” Typically, he said, five to 10 people sleep scattered along the block.
The city Department of Social Services, which oversees the homeless services agency, said in an email that an individual homeless person sleeping on the street was considered a “pop-up” and not an “encampment.”The city Department of Social Services, which oversees the homeless services agency, said in an email that an individual homeless person sleeping on the street was considered a “pop-up” and not an “encampment.”
Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Christina Caron, Manny Fernandez, Michael Gold, Denise Grady, Matthew Haag, Nicole Hong, Corey Kilgannon, Patrick McGeehan, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Stephanie Saul, Nikita Stewart, Tracey Tully and Katie Van Syckle. Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Annie Correal, Michael Gold, Denise Grady, Matthew Haag, Nicole Hong, Corey Kilgannon, Patrick McGeehan, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Stephanie Saul, Nikita Stewart and Tracey Tully.