NY Governor Andrew Cuomo Gets Live Tested for COVID-19 For All To See
May 17, 2020- Albany, NY- Governor Andrew Cuomo holds daily COVID-19, Coronavirus press briefing, Announces Statewide testing for Coronavirus at 700 plus locations (Darren McGee- Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo)
Today, on May 17, 2020, Governor Cuomo got a nasal swab Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test on live television. He would do so during his daily COVID-19 Response press conference. Moments earlier he would inform us all of how New York State had doubled its testing capacity to 40,000 tests per day.
“We’re at doubling the goal. We’re now at 40,000 tests per day. So that’s May 17. We started with about 6,000 tests. So, we now have a really significant number of tests that we can do so much, so that per capita we are doing more than other countries -significantly more,” said Mr. Cuomo
With the increase in testing ability, and more and more New Yorkers becoming eligible for testing, the Governor obviously wanted to make a point about how simple the process was. That is, for anyone hesitant about getting such a test.
Earlier in the morning, yours truly would tell NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio of how my own household was getting our antibody tests tomorrow, May 18. I would ask him if he would hope for every New Yorker to have this opportunity of getting tested. His response was a resounding yes. I would also ask him what can he say to convince people of the test’s importance. I asked, knowing of the hesitance amongst so many. I’ll be getting into all of this in another posting soon after I’ve gotten my test.
Thing is, I had no idea Governor Cuomo would be doing this. Getting a test on live TV to prove a point. Also, no clue he’d do it because he shared my very own concerns. People not wanting or willing to be tested.
Keep in mind, there’s great confusion over criteria. The tests we’re getting is open to only select communities as outlined in this previous post. No criteria needed for those tests. Meaning, I’ve never been symptomatic, nor do I have any reason to think I would. Ultimately, the purpose is to not only help yourself but, as well, to help the system in getting to the bottom of this disease. The more metrics they have, the better they can pave our way to a recovery.
Video of the Governor getting his test.
Governor Cuomo:
“So, I’ve been asking people, have you been tested? No. Why not? Well, they can’t say it’s inconvenient, because we have 700 sites. They can’t say they’re not eligible, because if you have any symptoms you’re eligible. There is a general proclivity where — and I don’t mean any disrespect to the medical profession. My sister is a doctor. But some people just don’t like to go to the doctor and don’t like to get tested. On a personal level, they love doctors. How can you not? But there’s a reluctance to go to a doctor’s office, which I understand. I am not good when it comes to this. I don’t do the scheduled, all the scheduled check-ins that I’m supposed to be doing. And it’s sort of like do I really want to know? Do I really want to go and be poked, and prodded, and investigated, and have a test and then worry about what the test says? It’s just being honest. So, I am not good at this. But this test is not an invasive test. There is no pain to this test. There is nothing about this test that should intimidate people from not taking this test. It is fast, it is easy. It is so fast and so easy that even a governor can take this test. That’s how fast and easy it is. And for you doubting Thomases, which is what you all are, gender neutral, because by profession you are doubting Thomases. I am going to show you how fast and easy it is to take a test and demonstrate why there should be no reluctance.”
“This is Dr. Elizabeth Dufort, who is in the appropriate PPE wear. Nice to see you, doctor. You make that gown look good.”
Doctor Dufort: “Head up a little bit.”
Governor Cuomo: “Head up.”
Doctor Dufort: “Close your eyes.”
Governor Cuomo: “Close my eyes? Why do I need to close my eyes? You can question the doctor. That’s okay. Why do I need to close my eyes?”
Doctor Dufort: “For comfort, it might make you tear a little bit.”
Governor Cuomo: “Okay, if I fall asleep?”
Doctor Dufort: “Then we’ll have you sit down.”
Governor Cuomo: “that’s it?”
Doctor Dufort: “Yeah.”
Governor Cuomo: “That’s it? Nothing else?”
Doctor Dufort: “That’s it.”
Governor Cuomo: “Told you. Thank you very much, doctor.”
“That is the whole test. I’m not in pain. I’m not in discomfort. Closing my eyes was a moment of relaxation. There is no reason why you should not get the test. And you don’t even have to be New York tough to take that test. You do have to be smart to get that test, and you have to be united, and you have to be disciplined for the period of time that you close your eyes. And you have to love yourself, and love your family, and love New York.”