Cuomo says parts of New York will open TOMORROW but everyone must stay vigilant in coronavirus fight
NEW York Governor Cuomo said parts of New York will open tomorrow as he urged everyone to stay vigilant in the fight against coronavirus.
Speaking at his daily press briefing on Thursday, Cuomo said Central New York met all seven metrics to begin Phase 1 of reopening on May 15 - but he warned residents not to underestimate COVID-19.
These areas will be joining Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier, Finger Lakes, and the North Country who are also set to get back to business this week.
Cuomo pointed out it was impossible to police people's social interactions but cited common sense as officials monitor the situation from 12.01 am tomorrow and 157 more New Yorkers die.
"I have not seen my mother since this started," Cuomo explained. "I could have, that's up to me. This is your relationship, your interaction, your family.
"We can tell you what we think is smart but that's up to individuals," he added. "This virus has only gotten worse the more we know.
"I hope you do it smartly but that's up to you," he added, before pointing out that all ten regions of the state would have different factors to consider.
Earlier this week, New York City and Long Island met four and five of the seven metrics, respectively.
But the death and infection rates in 21 other zip codes - including NYC's five boroughs - are all too high to reopen yet.
But while Cuomo urged people to remain cautious, demonstrators attended a "Re-Open New York" Rally in Commack, Long Island on 14 May 2020.
The governors said businesses that choose to open in the approved regions should implement curb-side pickup, while manufacturing businesses will have to provide PPE for their employees.
He confirmed the state would monitor how people behaved during the reopening, monitor the infection rates rates, and assess the situation on a daily basis.
The New York politician also emphasized that one person can infect many "in one afternoon."
Cuomo had previously explained that the Empire State would be getting back to business on a phased, regional basis to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Requirements include a 14-day decline in infections, deaths, and new hospitalization rates remaining under two per 100,000 residents on a three-day rolling average.
The phased plan also requires having a 30 percent threshold of hospital beds and ICU beds available, as well as ramped up testing and contact tracers to meet demand.
The first businesses back to work in Phase 1 will be construction, manufacturing, whole sale supply, retail with curbside pickup, agriculture, forestry, and fishing, Cuomo said earlier this week.
Phase 2 will bring back professional services, finance, insurance, retail, administrative support, and real estate.
The third phase will see restaurant and hotel staffers back working, followed by arts, entertainment, recreation, and education in Phase 4.
"This situation changes every two weeks," he told reporters today, after revealing that even more children had started exhibiting a dangerous inflammatory disease linked to COVID-19.
"I just urge caution," Cuomo told reporters later in the conference. "There are things we don't know yet."
Cuomo revealed that the number of kids presenting with this rare but sometimes fatal condition in-state had surged again from 102 to 110 overnight, which is up 10 cases since Tuesday.
As more of these "frightening" cases emerged, Cuomo said six countries and 16 states were now investigating once the NYS Health Department explained the situation.
"I expect this is only going to grow," the governor said. "It's affecting children less than one-year old to 21 years old."
"That's the span which is obviously a very frightening development," Cuomo said, before referencing his fears for his youngest daughter, Michaela, 22.
"As a father, I just want to make sure I'm communicating this last situation to the people of the state and beyond," he said.
Kawasaki disease causes swelling of the heart’s blood vessels and generally impacts children under five - but older children in New York have been impacted by it and even died.
Cuomo previously confirmed that two boys, aged 5 and 7, in NYC and Westchester County and a Suffolk County teen, 18, had died from it so far.
His warning comes as the CDC tells alert doctors to be on high alert for children presenting with these symptoms.
