Governor Andrew Cuomo says New York should prepare themselves for widespread business closures. He says to stay-at-home till orders to combat as the virus can last for months.
“This is not a short term situation,” he says on Sunday announcing with reporters.
“It is going to be four months, six months, nine months,” he states.
Cuomo points to the model from China. This shows that the US is lagging behind being able to curb the rate at which the virus is spreading in hotspots like New York City.
“The timeline — nobody can tell you, it depends on how we handle it. But 40%, up to 80% of the population will wind up getting this virus. All we’re trying to do is slow the spread,” Cuomo says. “But it will spread, it is that contagious.”
Over 15,000 cases in New York
Cuomo says there are 15,168 cases of the coronavirus and 76 deaths in New York state. To put that in view, Washington state, an early hotspot for the coronavirus, is having more than 1,800 cases.
New York state is making a drive to make testing more available to the residents. By initiating a drive-through testing site in Staten Island. Cuomo says this can explain the rapid increase in confirmed cases.
“It’s going to be hard, I’m not lessening it, but it’s going to be okay,” Cuomo states. “The grocery stores will continue to function, they’re going to have food. The transportation system will operate. The pharmacies are open. All essential services will be maintained”.
While younger people are less at risk of becoming seriously ill or dying as a result of losing to coronavirus. Cuomo restates the importance of staying at home and exercising social distancing to help curb the spread.
“I don’t know what I’m telling that people don’t get,” Cuomo says. “This is not life as usual.”