COVID probe’s slow go

Gov. Hochul has awarded a $4.3 million contract to investigate New York’s controversial, Andrew Cuomoled response to the coronavirus outbreak — drawing fire from critics who accuse her of slow-walking the probe until after Tuesday’s election.

The one-year contract goes to consultant the Olson Group, an emergency management firm in Alexandria, Va.

Hochul, who was lieutenant governor during the pandemic, first announced the planned probe in July.

But critics say the timing of the firm’s hire is curious — announced during the final days of a gubernatorial campaign where Hochul is fighting for her political life in a closer than expected race against Republican opponent Rep. Lee Zeldin.

“Given that COVID killed more than 75,000 New Yorkers — and the next virus could arrive at any time — the state’s leaders might have been expected to show more urgency in studying how to improve their operations,” said Bill Hammond, health analyst at the Empire Center for Public Policy, in a blog post.

“The hiring came more than 2¹/₂ years after the state learned how tragically unprepared it was for a major pandemic and 15 months after a governor resigned rather than face impeachment in part because of how he handled the crisis,” he wrote.

The results of the review could be explosive, scrutinizing life-and-death decisions made during the worst period of the COVID-19 outbreak — not only by Cuomo but also the politically powerful hospital and nursing-home industries that largely support Hochul. A no-holds-barred probe could also question what role Hochul played in decision-making during the pandemic.

The awarding of the contract was first reported by Spectrum News’ State of Politics.

Hammond has reservations about the study, which is being overseen by the governor’s office and the state Division of Homeland Security.

He said the investigation of what happened should be independent and the consultant should have subpoena power to get information. “There’s very little reason to believe they will rock the boat,” he told The Post.

Hochul’s office said the governor is delivering on her promise of a probe.

“New Yorkers who have lived through being at the epicenter of a global pandemic, lost loved ones and experienced economic hardship deserve a thoughtful, meaningful and independent after action review, and that’s exactly what we’re working to deliver,” said Hochul spokeswoman Hazel Crampton-Hays.