New York Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered his “state of the state” speech on Monday, telling residents that he intends to reopen the state’s economy in a safe manner, despite the increase in confirmed coronavirus cases.
The Democratic governor strongly emphasized the state’s “economic resurgence” planning, even though it faces a record budget deficit.
“We simply cannot remain closed until the vaccine reaches critical mass – the cost is very high,” said Cuomo in his speech. “We must reopen the economy, but we must do it intelligently and safely.”
Cuomo added that the plan was to use the COVID-19 test to allow restaurants, arts centers and theaters to reopen.
Doing nothing now, Cuomo gravely predicted that the state would have “nothing more to open”.
A spokesman for Cuomo’s office declined to give details of the reopening plan, in addition to comments made by the governor on Monday.
Like many states, New York closed completely at the beginning of the pandemic in the spring.
In the summer, the state changed to a policy of segmentation of the so-called “critical points”, where companies were closed within specific areas when confirmed cases exceeded a certain percentage limit.
Cases across the US are again at record levels – with the statewide positivity rate at 6.22% on Sunday.
NY SHOULD START SCHEDULING COVID-19 VACCINES FOR SENIORS, FIRST RESPONDENTS IN THE NEXT WEEK
The state faces a hole in the $ 15 billion coronavirus-related budget, Cuomo said.
He repeated requests for federal aid to state and local governments, a call that will likely fall on more sympathetic ears after Democrats take control of Congress and the White House.
But he also proposed other measures to raise money, such as legalizing marijuana and online sports betting, which would generate additional tax revenue.
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Meanwhile, the launch of the coronavirus vaccine in New York – like others in the United States – has progressed at a slower pace than expected.
As of Saturday, 543,147 doses had been administered in the state.