New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) admitted in a press conference on Monday that his presentation of nursing home deaths in his state was misleading, but still defends his administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New York state’s reported death toll for nursing home residents was 8,500 people. The statistic, however, did not include nursing home residents who died after being transferred to hospitals. The actual figure of New York nursing home deaths is nearly 15,000.
A reporter asked Cuomo if he would apologize for his handling of nursing home data, and the governor responded, “the void we created by not providing information was filled by skepticism and cynicism and conspiracy theories which furthered confusion… you don’t provide the information, something will provide the information. Most of all, the void we created allowed disinformation.”
Cuomo continued that his office did not deliver updated, accurate COVID-19 statistics because his office was busy with federal requests. “There was a delay,” said Cuomo.
There is a growing call for Cuomo to be stripped of his emergency powers given during the COVID-19 pandemic. A bipartisan group of congress members from New York are requesting an investigation into the Cuomo administration.
