Analysis
New York City is still struggling with the coronavirus pandemic. Although infections and deaths have remained low in recent months, businesses are shuttering, essential services are floundering, and a potential second wave in the winter looms.
This all comes after the city was taken to a standstill by the virus, and 23,000 people died, accounting for more than 10% of all coronavirus-related deaths in the U.S.
It’s by no means a success story. But if you are a politician with eyes on the White House in 2024, fuck it, why not lie and frame it that way?
Gov. Andrew Cuomo is writing a book about his handling of the state and city’s coronavirus response, American Crisis, which is being billed as “a powerful testament to true leadership in times of extreme crisis.”
Cuomo’s profile was raised during the pandemic, thanks in part to his daily press conferences. But his leadership for the city was by no means impressive. It was, simply by being contrasted with the obscene ineffectualness of President Donald Trump, hailed as a job well done.
Cuomo has still refused to publicly address his decision to force nursing homes to accept coronavirus patients, a choice that potentially caused 20% of all of New York state’s fatalities. Instead, his administration has chosen to place the blame on nursing home workers.
Cuomo also dithered and stalled shutting down New York City, despite calls from Mayor Bill de Blasio to do so.
Online, residents of New York were swift to criticize the governor’s decision to take a victory lap when the state still hasn’t won anything yet.
On Monday night, Cuomo was given a prime speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention, where he called the coronavirus a “metaphor.”
It confused many people at the time, but now his use seems obvious. He doesn’t see the reality of it.