Governor Andrew Cuomo says just 536 New Yorkers are now hospitalized with COVID-19, just 136 in the ICU, and just three people died of the disease yesterday. Those are record lows since the pandemic began, and the numbers continue to go down as the state slowly reopens.
Cuomo says this is due to the hard work of New Yorkers who have reopened slowly and cautiously, unlike the 39 other states now on New York’s quarantine list. Cuomo says the state needs to stay disciplined to keep things this way. He says the State Liquor Authority and State Police continue to target bars and restaurants to make sure they’re following the safe distancing and masking rules. Some 130 businesses were cited Saturday and Sunday night.
Cuomo says in one case a charter boat crowded people on the upper deck without distancing. He calls that disrespectful to the passengers.
Cuomo says on schools he will determine later this week if they can reopen. He says just because a district puts out a plan that parents and teachers will go along with it. Cuomo says parents won’t simply trust the school district unless their questions can be answered, and they won’t send their children unless they’re happy with the answers. Cuomo says the same is true for teachers showing up at school as well. He says each district will need to hold a discussion with its people and parents. Cuomo says they better start setting that up now. Cuomo says it’s the parents who have the ultimate veto.