By Rafaela Prifti/

On Saturday, Governor Cuomo delivered his daily briefing on the pandemic at the New Settlement Community in the Bronx. On day 91, he provided the data on hospitalization, intubation, number of deaths at 67 (today, same as yesterday) and proceeded to announce that New York City plans to open on June 8. “The challenge,” the Governor said, “is a non-existing hospital system.” He called attention to the inequality in healthcare. Although there are ten hotspots in the outer boroughs like Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, efforts will be concentrated in the East Tremont and Kingsbridge Heights areas, while ten more testing sites will be added to each spot. Mr. Cuomo placed emphasis on the fact that the approach to controlling the virus in New York was driven by data and world specialists with expertise in the area of health crisis, not by politics or emotions. 

He signed a new law providing death benefits to the families of frontline who lost their lives fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in New York. Referencing the latest protests prompted by George Floyd’s death in police custody, he stated that there is injustice in the criminal justice system. “The message of fighting discrimination is obscured by the acts of violence,” said Mr. Cuomo. In response to last night’s protest in Brooklyn, the governor said he has directed Attorney General James to review all actions and procedures, because “the public deserves answers and accountability.” Governor Cuomo devoted a portion of the briefing to the “people of New York” who protected one another by staying home. The special credit went to frontline workers, “the ones who were asked to go to work when everyone else was under orders to stay home,” Governor said. To honor the legacy of the ultimate sacrifice made in the name of love for humanity, Mr. Cuomo signed a “bill that gives death benefits to the families of all the frontline workers that gave their lives for us.” 

The New York governor answered questions from the press including TV broadcast reporters and journalists. The English Editor of Dielli asked if the state has any medical data such as hospitalizations, infections, fatalities on the Albanian community. The Governor said that he will look into it and provide an answer. The task will be handled by a team member of the Governor’s Office, Sophia Zayas, who is the Bronx Regional Representative of the Governor Office, and who has been a dependable source of support and encouragement for our community.