CityWatch: New York’s shutdown extended to mid-May as social distancing appears to be working

“Tell me what our infection rate spread is. Tell me what the hospitalization rate is and then the experts will tell us the best course of conduct based on that data,” the governor said. “No political decisions, no emotional decisions. Data and science, we’re talking about human lives here.”

The statewide PAUSE order, which closed nonessential businesses and schools, was announced on March 20 and went into effect on March 22. 

The governor’s previous extension to the order was enacted in early April and pushed shutdowns until April 29, at least. At the time, he noted that the state would re-evaluate the measure after a two-week period.

The order was extended amid continuing evidence that the measures are helping control the spread of the virus. Hospitalizations are down, ICU admissions are down and intubations are down across the state, according to the governor.

A total of 606 people died across the state on Wednesday, the lowest level in 10 days. 

The state’s single-day death count peaked last week as 799 New Yorkers died on April 8. As recently as Tuesday, the measure stood at 752. 

The extended shutdown order comes as the state grapples with the growing economic impact of closures. 

Hours before Cuomo announced the extension, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio revealed the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2021. The $83.9 billion plan is $6.3 billion below the $95.3 billion budget the mayor proposed in January and includes “over $2 billion in very tough budget cuts,” de Blasio said. 

Also see: NYC mayor pledges $170 million to feed the city’s hungry

The city is also predicting a loss of $7.4 billion in tax revenue over the current fiscal year and next.

“The executive budget I’m presenting today was built for this moment in history and a moment unlike any other,” the mayor said. The proposal focuses on four things: health, safety, food and shelter.

“If we don’t have the resources to ensure people’s health and safety, their housing, their food, this becomes a very different city,” de Blasio said. “We have to make sure those basics are there for people. So, where we can cut, we will. But when it comes to protecting New Yorkers, we will not cut that.” 

Some of the proposed budget cuts include:

• Closure of outdoor pools this summer: $12 million

• Cancellation of 2020 Summer Youth Employment Program: $124 million

• Slowing the expansion of 3-K: $43.8 million 

• Delayed installation of air conditioners in every city school: $9.9 million

• Funding reduction for Vision Zero public awareness campaign, protected bike lanes, and markings and other materials: $10 million

• Suspension of curbside compost pickup: $21 million


The mayor again called upon the federal government to assist the city. “They have the ability to provide the resources in a way that no one else, no organization, nothing else on earth can help us the way the federal government can, and now it’s their hour of decision.”

“There’s been $2.2 trillion in stimulus funding so far—$2.2 trillion—of which only $1.4 billion has been indirect aid to New York City,” he said. “The airline industry got $58 billion, so corporate bailouts, huge. But a bailout for the place that needs it most has been minimal.”

Also see: New York hospitals face another COVID-19 equipment shortage: Dialysis machines

Other New York coronavirus developments Thursday:

Face Masks: Following up from Wednesday’s newly announced face mask directive that all New Yorkers wear face masks in public, Cuomo elucidated that masks must be worn by all riders and operators on public transport and by drivers of ride-sharing services such as Lyft. LYFT, -4.40% The guidance goes into effect Friday.

Ventilators: The governor pledged to send 100 ventilators to New Jersey. “The wave hasn’t crested in New Jersey.” Cuomo said. “They’re our neighbors; anything we can do to help, I’ve told Governor Murphy all he has to do is ask.”