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| Coronavirus US live: Cuomo says he won't let political pressure dictate when to re-open economy | Coronavirus US live: Cuomo says he won't let political pressure dictate when to re-open economy |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| New York governor says state’s crisis is a ‘profound moment in history’ following meeting with Trump on funding and tests | New York governor says state’s crisis is a ‘profound moment in history’ following meeting with Trump on funding and tests |
| One of the main themes at today’s World Health Organisation press conference is the major role that US experts and officials play inside the WHO. | |
| This follows multiple accusations from Donald Trump and his officials that the WHO was privy to information about Covid-19 which it hid from the US. | |
| The Guardian reported on Saturday that there were more than a dozen officials from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) embedded in WHO in January and February. | |
| Today, the head of the WHO health emergencies programme, Michael Ryan, said there were 31 US nationals on his team and pointed to Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO technical lead on Covid-19 also sitting on the podium, who is an American epidemiologist. | |
| The WHO director, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the close association with CDC and having CDC staff at WHO headquarters in Geneva “means there is nothing hidden from the US, from day one, because these are Americans who are working with us, and it just comes naturally. | |
| “Since our CDC colleagues also know that we give information immediately to anyone, they also can pass information to their institution. No problem. There is no secret in the WHO, because keeping things confidential or secret is dangerous.” | |
| Trump announced earlier this month that the US would suspend payments to the WHO. | |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Andrew Cuomo said he would not let political pressure dictate when New York reopens. At his daily briefing, Cuomo said local officials who are anxious to relax social distancing guidelines should blame him for the stay-at-home order, but he emphasized he would not jeopardize New Yorkers’ lives by reopening too quickly. | Andrew Cuomo said he would not let political pressure dictate when New York reopens. At his daily briefing, Cuomo said local officials who are anxious to relax social distancing guidelines should blame him for the stay-at-home order, but he emphasized he would not jeopardize New Yorkers’ lives by reopening too quickly. |
| The House is expected to vote tomorrow on the next coronavirus relief package. The Senate passed the nearly $500 billion bill by voice vote yesterday, and Trump has already signaled he will sign the legislation. | The House is expected to vote tomorrow on the next coronavirus relief package. The Senate passed the nearly $500 billion bill by voice vote yesterday, and Trump has already signaled he will sign the legislation. |
| The first coronavirus deaths in the US appear to have occurred weeks earlier than previously thought. Health officials now say two people in California died of the virus in the three weeks before the first official death was announced in Washington state. | The first coronavirus deaths in the US appear to have occurred weeks earlier than previously thought. Health officials now say two people in California died of the virus in the three weeks before the first official death was announced in Washington state. |
| The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo has just wrapped up his daily briefing on the state’s response to coronavirus. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo has just wrapped up his daily briefing on the state’s response to coronavirus. |
| Here’s some of what he covered: | Here’s some of what he covered: |
| Cuomo said he would not let political pressure dictate the timetable for reopening the state. The governor acknowledged some local officials are anxious to start relaxing social distancing guidelines, but he said a hasty reopening could jeopardize New Yorkers’ lives. “I have no problem with them blaming me,” Cuomo said of local New York officials. “Blame the governor. It’s the truth.” | Cuomo said he would not let political pressure dictate the timetable for reopening the state. The governor acknowledged some local officials are anxious to start relaxing social distancing guidelines, but he said a hasty reopening could jeopardize New Yorkers’ lives. “I have no problem with them blaming me,” Cuomo said of local New York officials. “Blame the governor. It’s the truth.” |
| Cuomo described his meeting with Trump at the White House yesterday as “very productive.” Cuomo said the pair were able to put their political differences aside to focus on issues like expanding testing and securing more state funding. “We both have a job to do,” Cuomo said. “Let’s do the job. And that was the spirit of the meeting yesterday.” | Cuomo described his meeting with Trump at the White House yesterday as “very productive.” Cuomo said the pair were able to put their political differences aside to focus on issues like expanding testing and securing more state funding. “We both have a job to do,” Cuomo said. “Let’s do the job. And that was the spirit of the meeting yesterday.” |
| Another 474 New Yorkers died of coroanvirus yesterday, bringing the state’s total death toll to 15,302. The daily death toll has dropped somewhat from last week, but it remains alarmingly high. | Another 474 New Yorkers died of coroanvirus yesterday, bringing the state’s total death toll to 15,302. The daily death toll has dropped somewhat from last week, but it remains alarmingly high. |
| Cuomo will issue an announcement on nursing homes tomorrow. The governor did not hint at what the announcement would be, but he has received some criticism for allowing people who have tested positive for Covid-19 to be readmitted to nursing homes. More than 3,000 New Yorkers in nursing homes and adult care facilities have died of the virus. | Cuomo will issue an announcement on nursing homes tomorrow. The governor did not hint at what the announcement would be, but he has received some criticism for allowing people who have tested positive for Covid-19 to be readmitted to nursing homes. More than 3,000 New Yorkers in nursing homes and adult care facilities have died of the virus. |
| Billionaire Mike Bloomberg is helping the state develop a testing and tracing program. New York officials said Bloomberg would donate about $10 million to the effort, which would be focused on identifying and isolating new coronavirus cases to mitigate the spread of the virus. | Billionaire Mike Bloomberg is helping the state develop a testing and tracing program. New York officials said Bloomberg would donate about $10 million to the effort, which would be focused on identifying and isolating new coronavirus cases to mitigate the spread of the virus. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he thought it was “madness” that the US is “wholly dependent on China” for the production of medical equipment. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he thought it was “madness” that the US is “wholly dependent on China” for the production of medical equipment. |
| Cuomo said he hoped one of the lessons learned from this crisis is that the US needs to develop their own supply chains for that equipment. | Cuomo said he hoped one of the lessons learned from this crisis is that the US needs to develop their own supply chains for that equipment. |
| “That all has to change,” Cuomo said. “We have to be able to make this equipment right here and be able to turn up the volume when something like this happens.” | “That all has to change,” Cuomo said. “We have to be able to make this equipment right here and be able to turn up the volume when something like this happens.” |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo criticized the arguments from demonstrators who are protesting his stay-at-home order outside the state capitol. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo criticized the arguments from demonstrators who are protesting his stay-at-home order outside the state capitol. |
| A reporter who spoke to some of the protesters said they have complained of economic harship due to the crisis, and they argued “the cure cannot be worse than the illness.” | A reporter who spoke to some of the protesters said they have complained of economic harship due to the crisis, and they argued “the cure cannot be worse than the illness.” |
| Cuomo replied, “How can the cure be worse than the illness if the illness is potential death?” | Cuomo replied, “How can the cure be worse than the illness if the illness is potential death?” |
| The governor asked the protesters to understand that they had to consider the health of others, not just themselves. “It’s not just about you,” Cuomo said. “You have a responsibility to me.” | The governor asked the protesters to understand that they had to consider the health of others, not just themselves. “It’s not just about you,” Cuomo said. “You have a responsibility to me.” |
| The governor also suggested (jokingly?) that if the protesters cannot afford their bills, they can apply for a job as an essential worker to get a paycheck. | The governor also suggested (jokingly?) that if the protesters cannot afford their bills, they can apply for a job as an essential worker to get a paycheck. |
| New York officials said billionaire Mike Bloomberg would offer a financial investment of “upwards of $10 million” to develop a testing and tracing program. | New York officials said billionaire Mike Bloomberg would offer a financial investment of “upwards of $10 million” to develop a testing and tracing program. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo predicted that testing would show the infection rate is “about 10 percent in high infection areas,” such as New York City, and lower upstate. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo predicted that testing would show the infection rate is “about 10 percent in high infection areas,” such as New York City, and lower upstate. |
| The testing and tracing program appears to be aimed at limiting the further spread of coronavirus as health experts warn of a possible second wave of infections. | The testing and tracing program appears to be aimed at limiting the further spread of coronavirus as health experts warn of a possible second wave of infections. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he would not allow political pressure to determine the timetable on when to reopen the economy. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he would not allow political pressure to determine the timetable on when to reopen the economy. |
| “This is not going to be over anytime soon,” Cuomo said of social-distancing restrictions, warning the state risked a surge in coronavirus cases if they became complacent. | “This is not going to be over anytime soon,” Cuomo said of social-distancing restrictions, warning the state risked a surge in coronavirus cases if they became complacent. |
| Cuomo acknowledged the current situation is “unsustainable,” but he added, “I also know more people will die if we are not smart.” | Cuomo acknowledged the current situation is “unsustainable,” but he added, “I also know more people will die if we are not smart.” |
| Cuomo told his fellow New York elected officials, “We can’t make a bad decision. Frankly, this is no time to act stupidly. Period. I don’t know how else to say it.” | Cuomo told his fellow New York elected officials, “We can’t make a bad decision. Frankly, this is no time to act stupidly. Period. I don’t know how else to say it.” |
| The governor said that local officials should not shy away from blaming him for the stay-at-home order. “I have no problem with them blaming me,” Cuomo said. “Blame the governor. It’s the truth.” | The governor said that local officials should not shy away from blaming him for the stay-at-home order. “I have no problem with them blaming me,” Cuomo said. “Blame the governor. It’s the truth.” |
| The governor stressed that New Yorkers cannot get “cocky” now that they are in a better place than they were a few weeks ago. “If you’re not ready for that second wave, that’s the one that’s going to knock you down,” Cuomo said. | The governor stressed that New Yorkers cannot get “cocky” now that they are in a better place than they were a few weeks ago. “If you’re not ready for that second wave, that’s the one that’s going to knock you down,” Cuomo said. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo said billionaire Mike Bloomberg has volunteered to help develop the first-ever testing/tracing/isolation program. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo said billionaire Mike Bloomberg has volunteered to help develop the first-ever testing/tracing/isolation program. |
| Bloomberg, who previously served as mayor of New York, will help build a tracing army to identify new cases of coronavirus and quickly isolate those people to avoid further spread. | Bloomberg, who previously served as mayor of New York, will help build a tracing army to identify new cases of coronavirus and quickly isolate those people to avoid further spread. |
| Cuomo has previously said reopening New York will depend on expanding testing and tracing capacity to avoid a surge in cases, echoing public health experts. | Cuomo has previously said reopening New York will depend on expanding testing and tracing capacity to avoid a surge in cases, echoing public health experts. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo referred to the state’s coronavirus crisis as “a profound moment in history,” once again emphasizing that New Yorkers’ actions will “shape our future.” | New York governor Andrew Cuomo referred to the state’s coronavirus crisis as “a profound moment in history,” once again emphasizing that New Yorkers’ actions will “shape our future.” |
| “If we get reckless today, we’ll suffer the consequences tomorrow,” said Cuomo, who has warned that relaxing social distancing restrictions could cause a surge in coronavirus cases. | “If we get reckless today, we’ll suffer the consequences tomorrow,” said Cuomo, who has warned that relaxing social distancing restrictions could cause a surge in coronavirus cases. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he had a “very productive” meeting with Trump at the White House yesterday, despite the pair’s recent disagreements. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he had a “very productive” meeting with Trump at the White House yesterday, despite the pair’s recent disagreements. |
| Cuomo acknowledged the president and his team “don’t like me” politically, noting that Trump has said “very unkind things about me and my brother,” referring to CNN anchor Chris Cuomo. | Cuomo acknowledged the president and his team “don’t like me” politically, noting that Trump has said “very unkind things about me and my brother,” referring to CNN anchor Chris Cuomo. |
| Despite those past issues, the governor said he and the president were able to have a fruitful conversation about “contentious, unclear issues,” such as expanding testing capacity and securing more funding for states. | Despite those past issues, the governor said he and the president were able to have a fruitful conversation about “contentious, unclear issues,” such as expanding testing capacity and securing more funding for states. |
| “We both have a job to do,” Cuomo said. “Let’s do the job. And that was the spirit of the meeting yesterday.” | “We both have a job to do,” Cuomo said. “Let’s do the job. And that was the spirit of the meeting yesterday.” |
| Cuomo reiterated that Congress must approve more money for states, even though that additional funding was not included in the latest coronavirus relief bill. | Cuomo reiterated that Congress must approve more money for states, even though that additional funding was not included in the latest coronavirus relief bill. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the state is in a “relatively good place” as coronavirus hospitalizations and intubations continue to decline. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the state is in a “relatively good place” as coronavirus hospitalizations and intubations continue to decline. |
| But the governor noted the number of new coronavirus hospitalizations remains “troublingly high,” even as many coronavirus patients are released from the hospital. Cuomo said the rate of new hospitalizations is “better than it was but still problematic.” | But the governor noted the number of new coronavirus hospitalizations remains “troublingly high,” even as many coronavirus patients are released from the hospital. Cuomo said the rate of new hospitalizations is “better than it was but still problematic.” |
| The governor announced another 474 New Yorkers died of the coronavirus yesterday, which is nearly identical to Monday’s death toll. | The governor announced another 474 New Yorkers died of the coronavirus yesterday, which is nearly identical to Monday’s death toll. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo opened his daily briefing by noting it has been 53 days since the state confirmed its first case of coronavirus. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo opened his daily briefing by noting it has been 53 days since the state confirmed its first case of coronavirus. |
| Cuomo described the 53 days since the first case as a “disorienting period,” but he said it was “nothing” compared to other times of harship for the world, such as the six years of World War II. | Cuomo described the 53 days since the first case as a “disorienting period,” but he said it was “nothing” compared to other times of harship for the world, such as the six years of World War II. |
| “But it feels very long, and it’s very stressful,” the governor said. | “But it feels very long, and it’s very stressful,” the governor said. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo is scheduled to deliver his daily briefing in about 15 minutes after meeting with Trump at the White House yesterday. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo is scheduled to deliver his daily briefing in about 15 minutes after meeting with Trump at the White House yesterday. |
| Cuomo said the president recognized in the meeting that the federal government had to be involved in procuring vital medical supplies to help states expand coronavirus testing. | Cuomo said the president recognized in the meeting that the federal government had to be involved in procuring vital medical supplies to help states expand coronavirus testing. |
| Trump has previously shrugged off that responsibility, insisting it was up to the states to expand testing capacity. Cuomo agreed the states should take the lead on the issue, but the governor has said at his recent briefings that the federal government must still play a role. | Trump has previously shrugged off that responsibility, insisting it was up to the states to expand testing capacity. Cuomo agreed the states should take the lead on the issue, but the governor has said at his recent briefings that the federal government must still play a role. |
| “The national manufacturers say they have supply-chain issues,” Cuomo said Monday. “I’d like the federal government to help on those supply-chain issues.” | “The national manufacturers say they have supply-chain issues,” Cuomo said Monday. “I’d like the federal government to help on those supply-chain issues.” |
| Cuomo said Trump also agreed states needed more funding to address the crisis, and the president indicated yesterday that state funding would be included in the next coronavirus relief bill. | Cuomo said Trump also agreed states needed more funding to address the crisis, and the president indicated yesterday that state funding would be included in the next coronavirus relief bill. |