'We Are Not Defenseless': NY Leaders Take Action Against Omicron

NEW YORK CITY — A one-two punch of colder weather and the omicron coronavirus variant could change New Yorkers' lives in the next few weeks.

But Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday that spiking COVID-19 cases this winter season likely won't mean the return of harsh measures such as lockdowns.

The difference is now New York has the vaccine and other, less-disruptive steps to fight the virus, she said.

“In my opinion, it’s a little more short-term pain with the hope of long-term gain,” she said.

Both Hochul and Mayor Bill de Blasio outlined steps Monday to fight against the omicron variant, which experts fear could be highly transmissible.

Hochul said new information shows the omicron variant is in Ontario, just a hop over the border and a matter of time before it arrives in New York.

None of Hochul's or de Blasio's plans, however, included sweeping masking or vaccine mandates.

Instead, de Blasio and the city's health commissioner Dave Chokshi went over new masking guidance that strongly encourages, but doesn't require, face coverings indoors for all New Yorkers regardless of vaccination.

And while a vaccine mandate de Blasio unveiled does cover 102,000 child care workers, it essentially covers one group of New Yorkers.

Hochul, for her part, revisited her emergency order that could restrict non-essential surgeries, but stopped short of calling for a strict masking mandate for parts of upstate and western New York where cases have been surging. Such a mandate remains an option if omicron proves to evade vaccines, she said.

New York City has seen cases rise in recent days and weeks, but it's still faring better than other areas.

The city has seen 16.43 cases per 100,000 people on average — the lowest rate in the state, according to governor's office data. Mohawk Valley, by contrast, stands at 56.40 cases per 100,000.

Hochul urged New Yorkers to get vaccinated and their booster shots. She said the state will open more mass vaccination sites, institute a "surge and flex" strategy to help hospitals in the midst of a coronavirus spike and use the New York National Guard to assist with nursing homes.