NY PAUSE Extended

In his daily COVID-19 briefing, Governor Andrew Cuomo declared that New Yorkers have, by their actions, demonstrated that "we can control the spread of 'the beast.'" He also announced the extension of the NY PAUSE order until May 15. Schools and nonessential businesses must remain closed for another month.

Cuomo talked about a "phased return to a 'new normal'" and presented this matrix for determining which businesses might be allowed to open first in the "un-PAUSE" process.

He stressed the importance of testing and tracing in the reopening process. In the past 30 days, 500,000 people have been tested for the novel coronavirus, which, Cuomo pointed out, is more than have been tested in California, Florida, and Michigan combined, but, he pointed out, there are 9 million workers in New York and more than 19 million residents.

He also stated that beginning at 8 p.m. tomorrow, face masks must be worn by both operators and passengers on all public transportation, all private transportation carriers, and all for-hire vehicles.

Cuomo didn't mention the protests in Michigan yesterday over that state's stay-at-home orders, but he did say that what surprised him most about this whole experience is "how people in New York have responded." He concluded, "If facts are presented, New Yorkers will do the 'right thing.'"
COPYRIGHT 2020 CAROLE OSTERINK