Matt Loede
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A top aide to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo apologized to Democratic lawmakers for not releasing New York’s nursing-home death toll from COVID-19.
Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa stated that “we froze” out numbers that she felt would “be used against us,” and Wednesday publicly apologized for putting them in a difficult position over the death toll.
DeRosa’s apology comes after the release of a report at the end of January from state Attorney General Letitia James, stating that New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) undercounted COVID-19 deaths among residents of nursing homes by approximately 50%.
The cover-up was done while DeRosa was on a video conference call with state Democratic leaders.
She claimed that the Cuomo administration had rejected a legislative request for the numbers back in August, putting the blame on President Trump who “right around the same time, [then-President Donald Trump] turns this into a giant political football.”
Those words from DeRosa were discovered during the two hour meeting, which was recorded.
Inquiries from state lawmakers were also addressed on the call, this after an August 3rd joint committee hearing on COVID-19 residential health care facilities. Lawmakers had demanded a full transparency on the COVID-19 death toll in nursing homes.
DeRosa claims that Trump’s harsh words on social media regarding the numbers put the administration in a difficult position, and that they “froze” when asked for answers about the number of those that had passed in the nursing homes from COVID.
“He starts tweeting that we killed everyone in nursing homes,” DeRosa said. “He starts going after [New Jersey Gov. Phil] Murphy, starts going after [California Gov. Gavin] Newsom, starts going after [Michigan Gov.] Gretchen Whitmer.”
“What I would say is everyone did the best they could. When I say the State Department of Health — as the report said — the State Department of Health followed federal guidance,” Governor Cuomo said during a press conference on January 29th.
“So, if you think there was a mistake, then go talk to the federal government. It’s not about pointing fingers or blame. It’s that this became a political football right. Look, whether a person died in a hospital or died in a nursing home. It’s – People died. People died.”
After admitting the cover-up, DeRosa requested “a little bit of appreciation of the context” and offered what appears to be the Cuomo administration’s first apology when it comes to how things in the state’s nursing homes were handled during the pandemic.
Pish, more deaths? Who cares? It would just make him more of a Uniparty hero, and pump up his book deal numbers.
Their defense is basically it’s Trump’s fault. His mean tweets made us do it. Unbelievable.
I know right. Lame as fuck.
So the mean president said mean things and we couldn’t do our jobs. But please appreciate the context of our incompetence. The mean president also gave NY everything they asked for including a hospital ship with… wait for it… spare beds. Meanwhile Gov. Cuomo went on his brother’s show on CNN and made jokes about an oversized nose swab among other things. At least the brave governor was able to maintain his sense of humor through all of this..
This is so disgusting, so cowardly, so out of touch – which is what happens when there’s no electorate (read: deep blue state) and no press to hold elected officials accountable. She’s saying in short that they hid the bad results bc voters might not like them. “And no one would’ve known if it weren’t for TRUMP. So ya know, TRUMP. Feel sorry for us?” I mean they’re apologizing for deflecting to the federal government this summer by… wait for it… blaming the federal government for highlighting the issue? So fucking embarrassing
These people need to be in jail. Come on, NY Attorney General, show us you’re truly committed to a lawful conclusion to these crimes.
In what world does lying about/fabricating the number of deaths count as ““… everyone [doing] the best they could”? These people are truly despicable.
Well done, Mr. Couch.
It doesn’t add up to a hill of beans, but here’s just a few of the actions that help me sleep at night:
Haven’t watched or purchased an NFL product since 2015 (my ban started with movie Concussion)
Haven’t purchased a Nike product in five years
Haven’t watched or purchased an NBA product in five years
No longer watch or purchase PGA products as of several weeks ago (canceled tournament at Trump course)
Won’t watch or support NHL until fans allowed at 100% capacity (this one hurts the most)
Cut the cord five years ago
Don’t read Ryan Glasspeigel (although I’m not sure he’s still here??)
OUTKICKVIP MEMBERSHIP
Wrong tab, but who cares. Reminds me of one time at App State I came out of the library and there were around 40 ppl protesting against Nike because they essentially use slave/child labor and all the programs at App use Nike products for their gear. Which I support by the way, screw Nike. The +/- 40 kids were chanting, holding up signs and doing the usual, and as I walked through them to get to my accounting exam I looked down and probably 30/40 kids were wearing Nike shoes. I laughed and just shook my head. Point of my story: If your going to protest something then you should actually do it, like you.
Dam. Wrong tab.
But Orange Man bad
Could you imagine what CNN, NYTimes and the Washington Post would be saying right now if his name was Ron DeSantis?
The scum at CNN, New York Times, Washington Post and the rest of the MSM would demand Ron DeSantis be impeached for murder. They look the other way when it’s their hero Andrew Cuomo.
Democrats and the media only care about people dying from the coronavirus when they can use it against Republicans. They don’t care about Democrats killing people with their policies.
Looks like another Emmy will be heading his way….
…and another book deal.
Pompous ass, egomaniac Cuomo has never taken a spec of responsibility. The POS’s main goal was keeping Trump from having the upper hand.
Wrote and released a self-righteous book DURING THE PANDEMIC, really. . what more needs to be said about his character.
OK T shirt Idea
Cuomo Lied…People Died
I wouldn’t even request kickbacks for the idea.
I AM SHOCKED!!! He will still have over 50% approval of New Yorkers by a CNN poll. He is as stupid as the people that elected him. Stay in New York and do NOT move to Texas or Florida.