Cabin Fever Is A Real Affliction During Coronavirus Fight: Cuomo

NEW YORK, NEW YORK — Millions of cooped-up New Yorkers doubtless will agree with what Gov. Andrew Cuomo singled out as another affliction amid the new coronavirus outbreak: cabin fever.

"It's only been one month, but it's been a long month," Cuomo said Sunday.

Cuomo — the man who issued a "stay-at-home" order that effectively shut down what remained of normal life in New York City — took time during an otherwise-sober Sunday news conference to acknowledge the difficulty of life stuck at home without end.

Cabin fever is an "accompanying affliction to coronavirus," he said. It manifests in feelings of isolation, mood swings, resentment toward others and irrational outbursts, he said.

And it also threatens the Constitution's aim of domestic tranquility, he said.

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"Think of ways to deal with it," Cuomo told New Yorkers.

Cuomo said for himself he's going to take up running again, with the aim of outpacing his daughter. His dog, also in the throes of cabin fever, will take up the sport, he said.

Left unsaid, but largely common knowledge by this point, were warnings to New Yorkers to protect themselves and others against the virus' spread. On Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio anticipated CDC guidance and encouraged New Yorkers to cover their faces when they're outside.

But hizzoner drew some recent negative attention online for seemingly not following his own advice during his own cabin fever cure.

A New York Times reporter wrote he spotted de Blasio walking in Prospect Park without a face mask on Saturday. But a mayor's spokesman quickly responded that de Blasio did indeed cover his face when near crowds.

"The Mayor wore a scarf in the park, raising it up when he passed through more crowded areas," wrote Wiley Novell on Twitter.

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