Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly his administration's policy regarding nursing homes, continues to be a focal point as the New York City mayoral race heats up. Recent developments have seen two sons who blame Cuomo's nursing home directive for their father's death endorse Brad Lander for mayor, highlighting the ongoing controversy and its impact on the political landscape.
Cuomo Admits to Seeing, Possibly Altering COVID Nursing Home Report
In a significant admission, Cuomo recently conceded that he did see a report detailing COVID-19 nursing home deaths, and that he may have made changes to it. This contradicts previous testimony he gave to Congress, where he denied reviewing the report. Cuomo maintains that the published report was accurate and that the issue has been politicized.
The Nursing Home Directive: A Source of Controversy
The core of the controversy stems from a March 2020 directive that required nursing homes to admit or readmit patients who had been infected with the coronavirus, even if they had not tested negative. Critics argue that this policy led to a surge in COVID-19 deaths within these facilities, as they lacked the resources and equipment to properly contain the virus. The state has been accused of underreporting the number of deaths related to this policy.
Lander Receives Endorsement from Grieving Sons
Peter and Daniel Arbeeny, whose father died from COVID-19 after a stay in a Brooklyn nursing home, have endorsed Brad Lander for mayor. They praised Lander for his support during the height of the pandemic, claiming he was one of the few elected officials who stood up for them and sought accountability for Cuomo's actions. Lander has invited Peter Arbeeny to a mayoral debate and has demanded that Cuomo answer questions about the nursing home deaths.
Cuomo's Mayoral Ambitions Face Scrutiny
Cuomo, who resigned as governor in 2021 amid sexual misconduct allegations, is now a leading candidate in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. However, he faces continued criticism over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the nursing home deaths. Opponents have accused him of lying to Congress about his role in the report that undercounted the number of deaths. The Department of Justice is reportedly investigating whether Cuomo lied to Congress regarding the decisions he made during the COVID-19 pandemic while serving as governor.