NYS Coronavirus Update: Preliminary Results of Antibody Survey Are Released -- Child Care Scholarships for Essential Workers -- State Will Investigate Nursing Home Violations

From Governor Cuomo @ 8:06 PM on April 23:

I know a dumb idea when I hear one. Yesterday Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gave his opinion that states should declare bankruptcy rather than receive federal funding. He doesn't support "Blue State Bailouts." This kind of thinking is shortsighted and dangerous.

2. The State Department of Health is partnering with Attorney General Letitia James to investigate nursing home violations. Nursing homes are directed to immediately report the actions they have taken to comply with all state and federal directives and guidance to the Department of Health (DOH). Those that are not complying with DOH guidelines could be fined $10,000 per violation or lose their operating license. NYS has taken extraordinary measures to protect vulnerable nursing home residents — from mandatory temperature checks of staff to a ban on all visitors — and we must hold accountable nursing homes that are flouting the law.

3. Are you concerned that a family member of yours isn't getting proper care in a nursing home? If so, we encourage you to file a complaint by calling 833-249-8499 or by visiting www.ag.ny.gov/nursinghomes.

4. Total hospitalizations continue to fall. There were 15,021 total hospitalizations yesterday — the tenth consecutive day of declines. Tragically, although fatalities have also fallen, we still lost 438 New Yorkers yesterday to Coronavirus. By all standards, that is a heart-wrenching loss of life, and we continue to mourn each and every New Yorker who has been taken by this virus.

5. We will partner with places of worship to help ramp up testing in African-American and Latino communities. The new initiative will use churches and places of worship as a network to reach communities that have been disproportionately impacted by Coronavirus. Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Representative Yvette Clarke and Representative Nydia Velázquez are partnering with us on this effort.

6. New York State will provide child care scholarships to essential workers. Child care costs will be covered for essential staff whose income is less than 300% of the federal poverty level — or $78,600 for a family of four. Essential workers (including health care providers, law enforcement, food delivery workers, grocery store employees and others) can use these scholarships to pay for their existing care arrangement. If an essential worker needs child care, they can contact their local child care referral agency to find openings.

7. Seven more big cats at the Bronx Zoo have now tested positive for Coronavirus. Earlier this month, a four-year-old Malayan tiger named Nadia tested positive for the virus. Now three lions and five tigers have tested positive. The cats are behaving and eating normally.

8. Tonight, Muslims across New York prepare the engage in a month of prayer and facing. The values observed during Ramadan resonate with all New Yorkers, especially now: generosity, gratitude and brotherhood. So to all who celebrate, Ramadan Mubarak.

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