Cuomo: Work at home, don’t gather
‘This is not life as usual,’ governor says as he imposes sweeping restrictions
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced sweeping orders Friday that severely restrict gatherings of any size for the state’s more than 19 million residents and require workers in nonessential businesses to stay home.
The Democratic governor said the “drastic action” was needed to check the rapid spread of the coronavirus in a state, which had more than 7,100 confirmed cases Friday, the most in the nation. New York’s restrictions, effective 8 p.m. Sunday, were announced a day after California decided to all but confine its population in the biggest lockdown in the U.S. and just prior to Illinois mandating the same for its 13 million residents.
“No, this is not life as usual,” Cuomo said at a news conference. “Accept it, and realize it, and deal with it.”
New York officials said more than 1,200 people have been hospitalized since the outbreak, and the new restrictions are needed to keep the health care system from being overwhelmed. Johns
Hopkins University put the state’s fatality count at 38.
The restrictions were applauded by public health officials.
“It is incumbent on all of us, young and old, and especially the young, who might think they are invincible, to stay the heck indoors,” said New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot.
Under the rules, nonessential gatherings of people of any size or for any reason are canceled or postponed, including parties and celebrations.
Workers seen as essential to keeping society functioning were exempt. The category was somewhat expansive, including people who work for health facilities, utilities, airports, food makers, grocery stores, farms, convenience stores, laundromats, funeral homes, banks and the news media.
People will be able to walk outside or take part in non-contact activities, but should not be “playing basketball with five other people,” Cuomo said.
The restrictions also ban parents from bringing kids to play dates at friends’ houses or to playgrounds if they can’t guarantee ample space with other people.
Public transit will keep running, but people besides essential workers should only use it when absolutely necessary, Cuomo said.
He also said people need to stay at least 6 feet away from others when they are out in public.
The new restrictions were met with resignation by people across the state, where museums, clubs and many restaurants are already shuttered and big gatherings were already prohibited.
“There’s a season for everything. And right now, the season is to just lay low, stop spreading this viral thing around,” said Eddy Dobosiewicz, of Buffalo, who just got a haircut before barbers close this weekend. “And then once that’s under control, I promise all we’re going to have a party.”
Edjo Wheeler, 49, who runs an art center in New York City, said he knows a couple of people who are already flat on their back with what feels like an awful flu.
“That makes me walk around with my hands in my pocket to make sure I’m not touching things. I might have it, and I might be able to pass it on to somebody else,” Wheeler said. “It’s not about me getting it. I’m not really the in-danger population, but we all have to cooperate.”
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. The vast majority of people recover.
But for some it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death. And stricter rules were put in place for people over 70, people with compromised immune systems and those with underlying illness. They should prescreen all visitors and aides by taking temperatures and avoid visiting houses with multiple people. All vulnerable people should wear a mask when around others, and everyone in their presence should wear a mask.
Additionally, only essential businesses can have workers commuting to their jobs or in their offices, Cuomo said. He said there will be fines and mandatory closure for any business not in compliance.
“These provisions will be enforced” he said. “These are not helpful hints.”
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said police officers would be out “reminding people, educating people, warning people” about the rules and would be empowered to break up large groups.
Cuomo’s decision won strong backing from Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s infectious disease chief and member of the White House coronavirus task force. Fauci also issued a direct appeal to his fellow New Yorkers to obey Cuomo’s orders.
“We’re tough. I was in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, and I know what the New Yorkers can do,” Fauci said. “So please, cooperate with your governor, cooperate with your mayor. It’s very important.”