Covid-19 Update: Governors Push for More Federal Aid

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo joined National Governors Association chair, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to push Sunday for $500 billion in aid to states to help recover from the COVID-19 epidemic.

There were 758 Covid-19 deaths in the state since Saturday, bringing the state total to 9,385.

Cuomo has repeatedly criticized the lack of funding in the federal stimulus package to offset state revenue shortfalls.  He also again repeated his call for limits on deductions of state and local taxes on federal income tax returns. 

“The big question for everyone right now is when do we reopen the economy, but first we need to make sure we have a smart, safe and coordinated plan in place to do it without risking public health,” Cuomo said. “The keys to reopening the economy are continuing to limit the spread of the virus and ramping up antibody testing. I am going to issue two executive orders – one directing employers to provide essential workers with a mask to wear when they are interacting with the public, and one to expand the number of people who are eligible to conduct the antibody test. These measures will be key to getting people back to work and making sure they are protected when they do go back.”

He repeated that the decision to keep schools closed or reopen them was a state level decision that has to be coordinated with the reopening of businesses. He also said he is coordinating decisions with the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut. 

The8,236 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 188,694 confirmed cases in New York State, including 933 cases in Suffolk County.  New York City continues to lead in cases, followed by Nassau and then Suffolk, with 20,816 cases, in the state.

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