NY Coronavirus: Cuomo Says State Needs Federal Funding To Reopen

NEW YORK, NY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Saturday called for more federal funding to New York State to put it in a position to reopen. The state was hit particularly hard by the new coronavirus, though new COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are declining, giving hope that the state has passed the apex.

Cuomo said the state needs coordination and partnership from the federal government, in addition to money. Airlines and small businesses have to be funded, Cuomo said, agreeing with federal officials. He said state governments need funding, too, however.

"When you fund a state government, you're funding a state government to perform the functions you want us to perform, which is the reopening function," Cuomo said at a news conference. "I get it. I'll do it. But I need funding. When you fund a state government, you're funding small businesses anyway. And you're funding hospitals anyway. And you're funding schools anyway. The Republican doctrine used to be limited government and states' rights. I'm a good distribution mechanism to small businesses, hospitals and schools, because I know what's going on in the state. But if you want us to reopen, we need funding."

Cuomo on Thursday extended the statewide stay-at-home order to May 15; the same day President Donald Trump unveiled plans to reopen the United States through a series of phases. New York has more people who've tested positive for COVID-19 and died than any other state, though the numbers have began declining over the past several days.

Total coronavirus hospitalizations in New York are at 16,967, the lowest in nearly two weeks; the high point was 18,825. Looking at the past three days, Cuomo said, a case could be made the state has passed the apex. On Friday, there were 1,915 new coronavirus hospitalizations; down from 2,253 Tuesday.

There were 540 state COVID-19 deaths reported Friday, including 36 from nursing homes. The number is down from 630 Thursday and hit its lowest total this week. Net intubations have also gone down for a sixth straight day, decreasing by 48 from Thursday's total.

Cuomo said he wants the state to reopen, but it must be done without the infection rate re-rising.

"Everybody wants to reopen," he said. "You don't need to hold up a placard saying 'We want to reopen.' Nobody wants to reopen more than me. Nobody wants to get the economy going more than me. Nobody wants to get on with life more than me and everybody else. We're all in the same boat. We all the same feelings."

The infection rate has gone down, with NY PAUSE, social distancing and masks being responsible, Cuomo said. Testing will be key in knowing when and how fast to reopen, he said. Testing will reveal positive cases, which can then be traced to those the person who tested positive came in contact with, according to Cuomo. The people who test positive can then be isolated to prevent the spread. Thousands of people would be needed as "tracing investigators" in New York, Cuomo said.

Over the past month, 500,000 tests were done, but Cuomo said that's only a fraction of what's needed. He called for help from the federal government in regards to the testing supply chain, especially when it becomes international.

"The more you test, the more information, the more you can reopen society," Cuomo said.

On Friday, the federal government sent 1,500,000 cloth masks to the state, Cuomo said, thanking them.

Cuomo said the emotion in the country is as high as he can recall, with the pandemic causing frustration, anxiety, fear and anger. There is no time for politics, Cuomo said.

"How does this situation get worse and get worse quickly? If you politicize all that emotion. We cannot go there."