New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is blasting local officials in one New York City borough who are bucking his COVID-19 restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.
Cuomo described the decision by some local leaders to defy statewide restrictions as āvery troubling and disturbing.ā
While he noted that people are frustrated by the restrictions and anxious, he said, āWe have to deal with it.ā
He turned his attention to Staten Island, which once had the lowest death rate in New York City, but has seen coronavirus deaths soar and now has the highest death rate in the city.
āSo all these local officials who are saying, āThatās right we donāt have to do any of this. Forget this, donāt comply, freedom.ā Yeah, freedom to die,ā Cuomo said.
He added, āCongratulations, you went from the lowest death rate in the city of New York to the highest death rate in the city of New York. You gave great advice to your people. More of them died.ā
āCongratulations, you represented your people well. More have died. Go back and campaign, āWe went from the lowest death rate in the city to the highest death rate in the city because of my advice.ā Congratulations.ā
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Cuomo has previously expressed his exasperation with local officials who declare their opposition to his restrictions, as IJR reported.
Before Thanksgiving, Cuomo released new restrictions that limited the size of indoor gatherings, even in private residences. However, several sheriffs declared that they would not enforce his new limitations.
āI believe that law enforcement officer violates his or her constitutional duty. I donāt consider them a law enforcement officer,ā Cuomo said of sheriffs who do not enforce his restrictions.
He continued, āBecause you donāt have the right to pick laws that you think you will enforce, and you donāt enforce laws that you donāt agree with. Right. Thatās not a law enforcement officer. Thatās a dictator.ā
In November, CuomoĀ announcedĀ that he would reopen a field hospital in Staten Island as cases surged there.