Daily US Times: A top aide of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo told Democratic lawmakers that the administration took months to release data revealing how many people living at nursing homes died of coronavirus because officials “froze” over worries the information was “going to be used against us.”
Republicans who term the comment admission of a “cover-up” are now calling the resignations of both Cuomo and the aide, secretary to the governor Melissa DeRosa. Republicans also calling for investigation into the matter. And a growing number of Democrats are joining calls to rescind the New York Governor’s emergency executive powers, blasting the administration’s defense of its secrecy.
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a Democrat, tweeted: “To continual defenders of NY Gov. Cuomo how is this ok? How is it not #Trump like? And when FORCED into admission, the most you get is a sorry we got caught…and not even directly from him or to the families.”
The disclosure of DeRosa’s comments was made on a Wednesday conference call with Democratic legislative leaders, came as the Democratic governor and his administration were already facing backlash over their handling and reporting of outbreaks in nursing homes.
Mr Cuomo— a third-term Democrat who says he’ll run again in 2022 and penned a book touting his handling of the pandemic.
Andrew Cuomo refused for months to release data on how the coronavirus pandemic has hit nursing home residents, instead pointing to figures more favorable to his administration. Experts say the release of more and accurate data can shape policy to help save people’s lives.
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