A Little Clarity on the Newest ‘New York on PAUSE’ Executive Order by NY Governor Cuomo against COVID-19
NY Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday, March 20 announced the New York on ‘PAUSE’ Executive Order he would sign. A mandate carried out for the sake of slowing down the spread of COVID-19. Later in the day, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio would hold his own press conference within which he detailed what some of that meant. In the past, both leaders have spoken repeatedly of what’s to be expected in the coming days, weeks and months; that is, a peak in the number of hospitalizations that would overwhelm New York’s abilities.
The following are quotes culled from both leaders’ public statements on Friday, March 20. Keep in mind how much more has been said by both Mr. de Blasio and Mr. Cuomo on the subject as a whole in the days prior and the days since this Executive Order was signed.
For anyone curious as to the Essential Businesses and Services allowed to stay open…
Rules in a Nutshell:
Governor Cuomo:
“Remain indoors, go outside for solitary exercise. Pre-screen all visitors and aides. Don’t visit households with multiple people. Don’t go to your daughters house. Mom doesn’t want to be alone – I understand, but you bring her into your house and you have 10 people there and they’re coming in and out and your daughters have friends. That is a mistake. That is a mistake. Well we’re going to go visit mom, I’m going to bring the whole family to see mom. Umm..no. Not now.”
Mayor de Blasio:
“100 percent of nonessential workers must stay home. But there are a number of industries and businesses that are essential – those that provide food, groceries, obviously food delivery, pharmacies, mass transit, healthcare, that’s, those are the areas that of course will be protected – will keep going. But I think it’s as simple as this.”
“People have to be really, really smart about it and always, always practice social distancing. That’s six feet apart – wherever you are – except when you’re right among your own family members, you go out for a walk, stay six feet apart from people. You go to the grocery store, stay six feet apart from people. Anything you’re doing, keep to that rule. Does anyone think it’s going to be perfect, no. But if you keep thinking all the time and acting all the time, you’ll be able to protect yourself.”
Regarding non-vulnerable populations:
Governor Cuomo:
“For non-vulnerable populations, these are the rules. No non-essential gatherings. Any concentration of individuals is because you’re an essential business and an essential workforce. When in public, social distancing at least 6 feet. Outdoor recreation is a solitary recreational exercise. It’s running, it’s hiking. It’s not playing basketball with 5 other people. That’s not what it is. It’s not laying in a park with 10 other people and sharing a beer. That’s not what this is. There are people and places in New York City where it looks like life as usual. No. This is not life as usual and accept it and realize it and deal with it.”
Sick &/or Vulnerable Individuals:
Governor Cuomo:
“Sick individuals should not leave their home unless to receive medical care, et cetera. Young people need to practice social distancing. Avoid contact with vulnerable populations.”
“A vulnerable person should wear a mask when in the company of others. To the greatest extent, everyone in the presence of a vulnerable person should wear a mask. They shouldn’t be on public transportation unless it is urgent and absolutely necessary.”
Mayor de Blasio:
“If you don’t need to be out, you shouldn’t be out, and if you can be home, you should be home. That’s what it really comes down to. Especially for those folks most vulnerable, as I mentioned, you know, folks who at this moment are vulnerable to this disease, let’s just think about it, we don’t want them to take any chances whatsoever. If anyone in those categories wants to go outside for a little bit, I get it, but please, absolutely distance from anyone around you and as briefly as possible really, really limit the people who come in contact with you. No one should come in contact with anyone over 50 with those preexisting conditions or over 70 in general without checking first to see if you have a temperature, use a thermometer. If you have a temperature over a hundred, you should not be in contact with anyone in those vulnerable categories.”
Young People:
Governor Cuomo:
“Twenty percent of coronavirus cases, according to CDC, ages 20-44, okay. France, more than 50 percent of patients in ICU under 60-years-old. You can get it. Well I can’t transmit it if I’m not symptomatic. No, you can transmit it if you’re not symptomatic. And even if you’re young and strong and everybody is superman, superwoman, I can deal with it. Oh yeah? You can give it to your grandparent, you can give it to your parent and you can put somebody else’s life in danger. So, just factually a lot of these premises are wrong.”
Mayor de Blasio:
“There’s some bad information, especially among young people, if you look at some of these videos that are going around on some of these newscasts on what young people are saying. “I can’t get it” Yeah, that’s wrong. That is wrong. Well, young people can’t get it – that is wrong. That is not a factual statement.”
“Twenty percent of coronavirus cases, according to CDC, ages 20-44, okay. France, more than 50 percent of patients in ICU under 60-years-old. You can get it. Well I can’t transmit it if I’m not symptomatic. No, you can transmit it if you’re not symptomatic. And even if you’re young and strong and everybody is superman, superwoman, I can deal with it. Oh yeah? You can give it to your grandparent, you can give it to your parent and you can put somebody else’s life in danger. So, just factually a lot of these premises are wrong.”
Enforcement:
Governor Cuomo:
“These provisions will be enforced. These are not helpful hints. This is not if you really want to be a great citizen. These are legal provisions. They will be enforced. There will be a civil fine and mandatory closure for any business that is not in compliance. Again, your actions can effect my health. That’s where we are. So there is a social compact that we have. Government makes sure society is safe for everyone. What you do can effect my health.”
Mayor de Blasio:
“… we’re going to ask the NYPD and other agencies to keep an eye on places where people are getting a little too crowded and to go in and remind people to separate and spread out. I don’t think most New Yorkers need a lot of reminding of what this pandemic means and the dangers it brings, but we’re all human beings, we’re social, we’re used to being close together, especially in this City. I know the NYPD and others will do a great job of making sure we’re reminded to do the smart thing and the healthy thing and the safe thing. “