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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
(32 minutes later)
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Friday rebutted comments from President Trump that New York was overstating its need for ventilators and that New York 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.”
His comments came as the statewide death toll from the virus jumped by 134 over 24 hours, to 519 deaths. The governor’s remarks came as the toll of deaths related to the virus statewide jumped by 134 in 24 hours, to 519.
On Thursday night, Mr. Trump had scoffed at New York’s claim that it will need 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 estimated at more than 20,000. Late 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 on Fox News. “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 an interview on Fox News. “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 severity of the outbreak. “He’s not looking at the facts of the astronomical growth of this crisis,” he said on “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.”
Mr. Cuomo added, “Look I don’t have a crystal ball. Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion. But I don’t operate here on opinion. I operate on facts, and on data and on numbers and on projections.”Mr. Cuomo added, “Look I don’t have a crystal ball. Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion. But I don’t operate here on opinion. I operate on facts, and on data and on numbers and on projections.”
As of Friday morning, nearly 1,600 coronavirus patients in New York State were in intensive care units, most of them on ventilators, a 22 percent increase from Thursday morning. The state has projected that the need for I.C.U. beds will grow for several weeks, at least. As of Friday morning, nearly 1,600 coronavirus patients in New York State were in intensive care units, most of them on ventilators, a 22 percent increase since Thursday morning. 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 earlier in the week. “Period.”“The only way we can obtain these ventilators is from the federal government,” Mr. Cuomo said earlier in the 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 the police, firefighters and paramedics, and 88 percent did not have enough personal protective equipment for those essential 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, 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.
Mr. Trump, who had previously expressed hesitation to use the Defense Production Act to mobilize private businesses to manufacture ventilators, seemed to change course on Friday in a series of tweets, saying he would invoke the act to compel General Motors to produce the devices. Mr. Trump, who had previously been hesitant to use the Defense Production Act to mobilize private businesses to make ventilators, appeared to change course on Friday. He said in a series of messages on Twitter that he would invoke the act to compel General Motors to produce the devices.
It is not clear that the move, if carried out, would speed the production process. Ventilators are complex machines, and the manufacturers say they will be limited in part by the availability of parts. It was not clear that such a move would speed up production. Ventilators are complex machines, and the manufacturers say they will be limited in part by the availability of parts.
The governor delivered his daily briefing at the Javits Center, a mammoth convention center in Manhattan that has been converted into an emergency hospital with military help and is slated 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, has been 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 members of the National Guard. “What you did in this facility in one week, creating a hospital, is just incredible,” Mr. Cuomo said, addressing National Guard members.
Other highlights from the briefing.Other highlights from the briefing.
More than 44,600 people have tested positive for the virus, an increase of more than 7,300 from Thursday morning. More than 25,000 of those 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 morning. More than 25,000 of the cases are in New York City.
There are currently 6,481 hospitalized patients, about 20 percent more than yesterday. Of those, 1,583 are in intensive care. More than 2,000 have been discharged.There are currently 6,481 hospitalized patients, about 20 percent more than yesterday. Of those, 1,583 are in intensive care. More than 2,000 have been discharged.
More than 62,000 medical workers, many of them retired, have volunteered to assist in stemming the crisis. Almost 10,100 mental health professionals have also stepped forward to treat New Yorkers coping with isolation. 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 an additional two weeks until April 15. Schools in New York City were already ordered closed until April 20. 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.
Mr. Cuomo said the state needed 20 million N-95 masks, 30 million surgical masks, 45 million exam gloves, 20 million gowns and 30,000 ventilators — all astronomical amounts compared to the state’s current stockpile. 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 to New York’s current stockpile.
The governor said he would seek President Trump’s permission to authorize the construction of an additional four temporary hospitals with a total capacity of 4,000 hospital beds in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. 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.
For more than a week, the outcry had 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 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, Mayor de Blasio said that all nonessential construction, including the construction of luxury towers like a new Hard Rock Hotel in Manhattan, would cease. He said on WNYC radio that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo had decreed, “based on what was absolute agreement between New York City and New York State, that nonessential construction will end.” 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 Mr. Cuomo had decreed, “based on what was absolute agreement between New York City and New York State, that nonessential construction will end.”
Mr. de Blasio added: “Anything that is not directly part of the essential work of fighting coronavirus and the essential work of keeping the city running and the state running — 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. That work’s going to end immediately. We need to protect people.”Mr. de Blasio added: “Anything that is not directly part of the essential work of fighting coronavirus and the essential work of keeping the city running and the state running — 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. That work’s going to end immediately. We need to protect people.”
Governor Cuomo plans to announce the new restrictions on Friday morning. The only projects that are allowed to continue operating are those that involve health care, transportation infrastructure, utilities, telecommunications, airports, hotels and seaports, according to two people briefed on the plans. All other projects must stop, but the state is giving builders time to wind down their operations and secure the job sites.
The only projects that will be able to operate will be those that involve health care, transportation infrastructure, utilities, telecommunications, airports, hotels and seaports, according to two people briefed on the plans. All other projects must stop, but the state is allowing construction projects some time to wind down operations and secure the job sites. Before Friday, the entire construction industry had been deemed essential, exempting it from the broad stay-at-home order that has kept most New Yorkers indoors.
Before Friday, the entire construction industry had been deemed essential work, exempting them from the broad stay-at-home order that has kept most New Yorkers indoors. 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.
The projects that can continue to operate must adhere to social distancing guidelines, including when workers ride service elevators, which are typically packed with 10 or more people. Sites that violate those 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 by Thursday, one in every 10 nursing homes in the state — 43 facilities — reported that at least one patient had tested positive for the coronavirus, up from 19 on Tuesday. But by Thursday, one in every 10 nursing homes in the state — 43 facilities — had reported at least one patient who tested positive for the coronavirus, up from 19 on Tuesday.
Eighteen of the 81 people to die in New Jersey after contracting the virus had recently been treated in a nursing home, according to Alexandra Altman, a spokeswoman for Gov. Philip D. Murphy. Eighteen of the 81 people to die 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.
Eight recent deaths have been linked to Family of Caring. Several of those who died had tested positive for the virus, while others died before their test results were returned or died of a respiratory illness before being tested, Ms. Altman said. Eight recent deaths have been linked to Family of Caring. Several of those who died had tested positive for the virus, Ms. Altman said; others died before their test results were returned or died of a respiratory illness before being tested.
Officials with Family of Caring at Montclair, which remains 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 30 minutes 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 fatalities 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.
Can blood from coronavirus survivors help others fight the illness?Can blood from coronavirus survivors help others fight the illness?
Medical centers in New York will soon test the idea in hospitalized patients who are seriously ill.Medical centers in New York will soon test the idea in hospitalized patients who are seriously ill.
Blood from people who have recovered can be a rich source of antibodies — proteins made by the immune system to attack the virus. The part of the blood that contains antibodies, known as convalescent plasma, has been used for decades to treat infectious diseases, including Ebola and influenza.Blood from people who have recovered can be a rich source of antibodies — proteins made by the immune system to attack the virus. The part of the blood that contains antibodies, known as convalescent plasma, has been used for decades to treat infectious diseases, including Ebola and influenza.
“It’s kind of difficult scientifically to know how valuable it is in any disease until you try,” said Dr. David L. Reich, president of Mount Sinai Hospital, which will try the treatment. “It’s not exactly a shot in the dark, but it’s not tried and true.”“It’s kind of difficult scientifically to know how valuable it is in any disease until you try,” said Dr. David L. Reich, president of Mount Sinai Hospital, which will try the treatment. “It’s not exactly a shot in the dark, but it’s not tried and true.”
Across the New York region, all businesses have been ordered closed except for essential ones. Across the New York region, all businesses except for essential ones have been ordered to close.
“Essential,” though, does not always mean what it sounds like. Supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitals, sure. But bicycle sellers, marijuana-plant trimmers, candy factories and people who make tiny metal springs?“Essential,” though, does not always mean what it sounds like. Supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitals, sure. But bicycle sellers, marijuana-plant trimmers, candy factories and people who make tiny metal springs?
They are just a few of the groups of workers whose jobs have been deemed so important that they are working while most residents of the New York metropolitan area are hunkered down under stay-home orders. They are just a few of the groups whose workers’ jobs have been deemed so important that they continue to work while most residents of the New York metropolitan area are hunkered down under stay-home orders.
Dennis C. Dickson, a 63-year-old custodian at Police Headquarters and a 14-year employee, died on Thursday, becoming the department’s first coronavirus death. Serena Brennan, 25, a social worker at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, has been spending her days tending to patients sickened by the coronavirus.
Mr. Dickson died at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, the department said, calling him a “revered member of the custodial staff” and noting a 17-day stint he worked during and after Hurricane Sandy assisting with emergency cleanup operations at headquarters.
During the virus outbreak, the department said in a statement, “Mr. Dickson was again on the front line cleaning and disinfecting 1 Police Plaza so that our personnel could be here safely.”
Serena Brennan, 25, a social worker at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, has been spending her days tending to patients suffering from the coronavirus.
Her return home is brightened by a simple chore: walking her Border collie, Gracie. “This is one of the small enjoyments of our life right now,” she said.Her return home is brightened by a simple chore: walking her Border collie, Gracie. “This is one of the small enjoyments of our life right now,” she said.
As the coronavirus has warped life, for some city dwellers, the necessary act of walking the dog has become a glimmer of solace during a dark time. As the virus warps everyday life, for some city dwellers, the necessary act of walking the dog has become a glimmer of solace during a dark time.
But the shift is putting professional dog walkers out of work.But the shift is putting professional dog walkers out of work.
“Most of my customers are working from home now, so they don’t need a dog walker,” said Randy Peralta, 23, a walker from the Bronx who went from handling 20 dogs a day to three. “A bunch of them just took the dog and headed to their second homes.”“Most of my customers are working from home now, so they don’t need a dog walker,” said Randy Peralta, 23, a walker from the Bronx who went from handling 20 dogs a day to three. “A bunch of them just took the dog and headed to their second homes.”
As The New York Times follows the spread of the coronavirus across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we need your help. We want to talk to doctors, nurses, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, emergency services workers, nursing home managers — anyone who can share what they are seeing in the region’s hospitals and other health care centers. Even if you haven’t seen anything yet, we want to connect now so we can stay in touch in the future.As The New York Times follows the spread of the coronavirus across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, we need your help. We want to talk to doctors, nurses, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, emergency services workers, nursing home managers — anyone who can share what they are seeing in the region’s hospitals and other health care centers. Even if you haven’t seen anything yet, we want to connect now so we can stay in touch in the future.
A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.A reporter or editor may contact you. Your information will not be published without your consent.
Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Manny Fernandez, Michael Gold, Denise Grady, Matthew Haag, Nicole Hong, Corey Kilgannon, Patrick McGeehan, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Ed Shanahan and Tracey Tully. Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Manny Fernandez, Michael Gold, Denise Grady, Matthew Haag, Nicole Hong, Corey Kilgannon, Patrick McGeehan, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Luis Ferré-Sadurní and Tracey Tully.