Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey

Debate in New York over responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search

BP-Initials-UPDATED.png

These pages were updated from March 2020 through June 2020 and do not contain the latest commentary available. To submit arguments for inclusion on this page, email editor@ballotpedia.org. To learn how Ballotpedia decides which arguments to feature, click here.


Ballotpedia is providing comprehensive coverage of how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting America's political and civic life. In addition to monitoring federal, state, and local responses to the coronavirus, we are also capturing the nationwide and local debates on whether to extend or lift coronavirus-related restrictions affecting the economy, schools, government operations, public health, religious services, and travel.

These arguments come from a variety of sources, including public officials, journalists, think tanks, economists, scientists, and other stakeholders. We encourage you to share the debates happening in your local community to editor@ballotpedia.org.


This article covers the debate over continuing restrictions and closures in New York in response to the coronavirus pandemic. You will find the following:


Debate over stay-at-home orders in New York

See also: Debate over stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on the stay-at-home order in New York.

  • Seth Pinsky, director of 92nd Street Y (Financial Times): 

    "The key to New York’s success over the last 20-plus years has been the first-class workforce it has been able to attract. What I worry about is that as government starts to react to the fiscal situation we are going to be forced to make cuts to basic services that are going to be so devastating that they will undermine the quality of life in the city." - "Can New York avoid a coronavirus exodus?," May 25, 2020.

  • New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) (CNBC): An evaluation of California's status as of May 20, 2020.

    "We’re basically back to where we started before this tragedy descended upon us. Number of deaths on a relative scale is down dramatically from where it was in the first place but it’s still painfully high. Look how fast that incline is, how steep that incline is and look at how slow relatively that decline is. You can get into trouble quickly with this virus and it takes you a longer time to turn that curve and to turn that infection rate. So don’t let a spike happen in the first place. When someone asks, Well, why did we go through all this pain for two months, three months? Because we saved lives. That’s why." - "New York’s coronavirus outbreak is back to where it started, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says," May 19, 2020.

  • Wendy Larison (The Daily Gazette): A group of protesters gathered at the state Capitol to oppose Governor Andrew Cuomo's (D) "New York State on Pause" Initiative arguing it violated their constitutional rights.

    "What brings me here today is my constitutional rights. The First Amendment guarantees me the right to worship where I want and I've been denied that. It guarantees me the right to bear arms; I've been denied that. I still have the freedom of assembly to petition my governor, so I'm here to petition the government to re-open New York." - "Protesters demonstrate against Cuomo, COVID-19 rules at Capitol in Albany," April 22, 2020.

  • Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) (The Daily Gazette): Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) argued that the state lockdown is not worse than the virus because it is not resulting in deaths. He insisted that New York residents need to think more of others and stay home.

    "The illness is death. How can the cure be worse than the illness if the illness is potential death? Economic hardship, yes, very bad, not death. ... Yeah, it's your life, do whatever you want -- but you're now responsible for my life. You have a responsibility to me. It's not just about you, you have a responsibility to me. We started saying, 'It's not about me, it's about we.' Get your head around the 'we' concept." - "Protesters demonstrate against Cuomo, COVID-19 rules at Capitol in Albany," April 22, 2020.

  • Zack Budryk (The Hill): New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's plan would require gradually reducing isolation and increasing economic activity, re-evaluating which workers are essential, and determining how the pandemic has affected various public institutions.

    "Cuomo said a return to the status quo would be a multistep process involving an easing of isolation, an increase in economic activity and a recalibration of which workers are considered 'essential workers,' using the metaphor of a valve being turned 'very slowly' while more testing is conducted and more precautions are taken, all while continuing to monitor daily hospitalization and infection rates." - "Cuomo: Reopening economy will be a 'delicate balance'," April 13, 2020.

    • Additional reading

  • "Beach Towns Have a Message for New York City Residents: Go Away" - New York Times, May 22, 2020

  • "End New York City’s lockdown now!" - New York Post, May 20, 2020

  • "Protesters demonstrate against Cuomo, COVID-19 rules at Capitol in Albany" - The Daily Gazette, April 22, 2020


Debate over reopening in New York

See also: Debate over reopening during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on reopening in New York.

  • Seth Pinsky, director of 92nd Street Y (Financial Times): 

    "The key to New York’s success over the last 20-plus years has been the first-class workforce it has been able to attract. What I worry about is that as government starts to react to the fiscal situation we are going to be forced to make cuts to basic services that are going to be so devastating that they will undermine the quality of life in the city." - "Can New York avoid a coronavirus exodus?," May 25, 2020.

  • New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) (CBS News): New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said that the coronavirus is being spread more in low-income areas. He said he would open 40 additional testing centers in public housing developments, create programs for outreach to low-income areas, and encourage local governments to give assistance to low-income areas.

    "Data shows not just a high positive — not just that a high number of people had a positive — but the spread is continuing in those communities, and that's where the new cases are coming from." - "Cuomo says majority of coronavirus spread is in low-income communities," May 20, 2020.

  • New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) (CNBC): An evaluation of California's status as of May 20, 2020.

    "We’re basically back to where we started before this tragedy descended upon us. Number of deaths on a relative scale is down dramatically from where it was in the first place but it’s still painfully high. Look how fast that incline is, how steep that incline is and look at how slow relatively that decline is. You can get into trouble quickly with this virus and it takes you a longer time to turn that curve and to turn that infection rate. So don’t let a spike happen in the first place. When someone asks, Well, why did we go through all this pain for two months, three months? Because we saved lives. That’s why." - "New York’s coronavirus outbreak is back to where it started, Gov. Andrew Cuomo says," May 19, 2020.

  • The Daily News Editorial Board (The Daily News): "We can’t emphasize strongly enough how urgent it is to practice social distancing and wear masks or facial coverings. To all the people who don’t wear masks in public places and businesses that flout their own rules, we’re calling you out. Maybe this will help convince you: wearing a mask can mean the difference between life and death." - "Editorial: Real New Yorkers wear masks," June 2, 2020.

    • Additional reading

  • "As We Enter Phase 2, Keep Your Guard Up" - Schenectady Daily Gazette, June 2, 2020

  • "End New York City’s lockdown now!" - New York Post, May 20, 2020


Debate over school closures in New York

See also: Debate over school closures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on school closures in New York.

  • Mayor Bill de Blasio (Brooklyn Eagle): Mayor Bill de Blasio defended his decision to announce that New York City school would not reopen for the remainder of the school year.

    "Keeping schools closed will protect New Yorkers. Period. ... To me, this is not about legal or jurisdictional questions, this is a moral question." - "De Blasio, Cuomo remain at odds over decision to keep schools closed for rest of school year," April 14, 2020.

  • Governor Andrew Cuomo (The Suffolk Times): In response to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announcing school closures for the remainder of the school year, Governor Andrew Cuomo insisted that he has the authority to make that decision and that schools and businesses must open at the same time to deal with the issue of childcare.

    "It is my legal authority in this situation. ... I don’t understand how you reopen businesses in May but keep schools closed in June." - "Cuomo: Schools and businesses should reopen together," April 11, 2020.


Debate over prisons and inmates in New York

See also: Debate over prisons and inmates restrictions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on prisons and inmates in New York.

  • Udi Ofer and Lucia Tian (ACLU New York): Udi Offer, director of the Justice Division, and Lucia Tian, chief analytics officer at ACLU New York, wrote that racial disparities in COVID-19 fatalities will persist if prisons do not release inmates and the number of arrests for minor offenses does not decrease.

    "We can expect even more racial disparities in COVID-19 deaths if we allow the virus to spread freely throughout jails. ... [Governors, judges, sheriffs, and chiefs of police] should use the powers of their office to stop arresting and incarcerating people for low-level offenses and release those who are vulnerable to COVID-19 due to age or health conditions." - "New Model Shows Reducing Jail Population will Lower COVID-19 Death Toll for All of Us," April 22, 2020.

  • New York Police Department Commissioner Dermont Shea (New York Post): New York Police Department Commissioner Dermont Shea insisted that the city must resist advocates' call to release all prison inmates.

    "Advocate groups are now asking for everyone to be released. We still need to keep violent criminals in jail." - "Freed thugs sow fear in NYC during coronavirus lockdown: Devine," April 15, 2020.

  • Leticia Olivera (New York Post): Leticia Olivera, an attorney for the Federal Defenders of New York representing an inmate petitioning for release from the privately run Queens Detention Facility, argued that social distancing is impossible at the prison because inmates share phones and bathrooms. - "Coronavirus cases surge at NYC’s lone privately run jail," April 21, 2020.


Debate over election policy in New York

See also: Debate over election policies and procedures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on election policies in New York.

  • State Senator Andrea Stewart-Counsins (Legislative Gazette): State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) argued that the New York Legislature was right in reducing the number of required signatures for primary candidates to 30 percent of the statutory requirement because it protects citizens' rights.

    "We made sure to lower the number of signatures needed for collecting petitions before the primaries, so we could continue to be on the forefront of making sure we’re protecting our health care workers, our New Yorkers economically, as well as making sure we preserve their rights." - "Democratic legislators from around the country weigh in on COVID-19 responses," April 14, 2020.

Debate over election cancellation in New York

On April 27, 2020, the New York State Board of Elections canceled the Democratic presidential preference primary, which had been scheduled to take place on June 23, 2020. On May 5, a federal judge ruled that the state must hold the primary on June 23. This subsection includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on the cancellation of the election in New York.[1]

  • Jeff Weaver, senior adviser to the Bernie 2020 campaign (Twitter): Jeff Weaver, a senior adviser to the Bernie 2020 campaign, released a statement in response to the cancellation of the New York Democratic presidential primary election arguing that the election should be vote-by-mail to protect citizens and that Senator Sanders could have still earned delegates although his campaign is suspended.

    "What the Board of Elections is ignoring is that the primary process not only leads to a nominee but also the selection of delegates which helps determine the platform and rules of the Democratic Party. No one asked New York to cancel the election. The DNC didn't request it. The Biden campaign didn't request it. And our campaign communicated that we wanted to remain on the ballot. Given that the primary is months away, the proper response must be to make the election safe—such as going to all vote by mail—rather than to eliminating people's right to vote completely." - "Sanders Campaign Statement on New York Primary," April 27, 2020.

  • Judge Analisa Torres (My San Antonio): U.S. District Court Judge Analisa Torres ruled in favor of Andrew Yang, who filed a lawsuit against the New York Board of Elections, requiring that the New York Democratic presidential primary take place as originally scheduled on June 23.

    "If all but one of the presidential candidates are removed from the ballot and the primary is not held, Delegate Plaintiffs will be deprived of the opportunity to compete for delegate slots and shape the course of events at the Convention, and voters will lose the chance to express their support for delegates who share their views. ... The loss of these First Amendment rights is a heavy hardship." - "State Board of Elections will appeal primary decision," May 5, 2020.

  • Jay Jacobs (Democrat & Chronicle): Chairman of the New York Democratic Party, Jay Jacobs, said that the Democratic presidential primary should be cancelled because Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race.

    "The fact that (Sanders) is not running makes this a nonessential primary. Given that we've stopped nonessential business in New York and other states, it seemed intelligent to not go forward with a nonessential primary." - "New York cancels 2020 presidential primary, angering Bernie Sanders campaign," April 27, 2020.

  • The Daily Gazette Editorial Board (The Daily Gazette): The Daily Gazette Editorial Board defended the cancellation of the Democratic presidential primary election arguing that primaries are not meant to help the runner up have a better platform for his views.

    "The reason political parties hold primary elections is to determine the candidate who will represent them in the general election. It’s not to provide the losing candidate with additional clout to get his positions put into the winning candidate’s platform. And it’s not to provide a forum for candidates’ backers to express their views or support for their guy." - "EDITORIAL: State right to cancel Democratic presidential primary," April 27, 2020.

  • Andrew Yang (D) (United States District Court): Andrew Yang (D) filed a lawsuit against the New York State Board of Elections arguing that he should not be removed from the ballot and that doing so denies voters the right to vote.

    "[The New York State Board of Elections] is doing worse than putting democracy on hold, it is partially cancelling democracy by cancelling the presidential primary. ... By allowing the other elections to continue, and cancelling the Presidential primary, Defendant NYS BOE is: disenfranchising millions of New York voters by not allowing them to express their preference for candidates that duly qualified for ballot access under the NY Election Law, specifically for the office of President of the United States and the party positions of Delegates to the Democratic National Convention." - "Yang et al. v. New York State Board of Elections," April 28, 2020.


Debate over absentee voting in New York

See also: Debate over absentee voting and procedures during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on absentee voting in New York.


Debate over religious service restrictions in New York

See also: Debate over religious service restrictions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on religious service restrictions in New York.

  • Jeff Ballabon, an attorney, and Mark Goldfeder, a law professor at Georgia State University (Wall Street Journal): Jeff Ballabon, an attorney, and Mark Goldfeder, a law professor at Georgia State University, argued that Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) stereotyped Jewish Americans and singled them out in his command to arrest Jewish funeral attendees.

    "To the degree other demographics have been shown to have high incidence of Covid-19, there has been only sympathy. But Jews are singled out for condemnation. ... Police have been called to arrest Orthodox families out for walks in public parks, while others are free to enjoy a relaxing stroll or even gather in large groups that violate social-distancing guidelines—including the mayor himself. Summonses have been issued to Orthodox Jewish families attending funerals, while in the same precincts more crowded funerals by others proceed without comment or viral shaming, let alone punishment." - "De Blasio’s ‘Message’ to Jews," April 30, 2020.

  • Keisha Russell (First Liberty Institute): Writing on behalf of His Tabernacle, Pine City Christian Church, and Journey Church, Keisha Russell, counsel for First Liberty Institute, argued that Chemung County's order banning drive-in church services was contrary to state and federal guidelines and the Constitution.

    "Banning drive-in church services is not narrowly tailored to accomplish the County’s interest in preventing the spread of COVID-19, because drive-in services can be conducted consistent with CDC requirements. Thus, the prohibition is overbroad to the County’s interest." - "Letter regarding April 10, 2020 County Prohibition on Drive-in Church Services," April 22, 2020.

  • Frimet Goldberger (The New York Times): Frimet Goldberger said in an editorial that Orthodox Jewish communities in New York are facing challenges to their traditions and communal lifestyle due to social distancing.

    "Hasidic communities are facing a unique challenge when it comes to controlling the spread of the coronavirus. I fear that in these places, highly communal lifestyles combined by skepticism about the need for social distancing — at times promoted by religious leaders — are going to cost more lives." - "The Challenge of Social Distancing in Hasidic Communities," April 9, 2020.

  • Ronnie Floyd (Christian Post): Ronnie Floyd, the president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, voiced concern about the Mayor Bill de Blasio's (D) remarks threatening to permanently shut down churches that gather despite social distancing restrictions.

    "The First Amendment states that there should be no law that prohibits the free exercise of religion and constitutional protections are unchanged by current circumstances." - "Evangelicals slam NYC's threat to 'permanently' close churches that defy coronavirus order," April 2, 2020.

  • Mayor Bill de Blasio (Politico): Mayor Bill de Blasio defended his order to shut down religious services and possibly impose fines on those who defy the ban.

    "If you go to your synagogue, if you go to your church and attempt to hold services, after having been told so often not to, our enforcement agents will have no choice, but to shut down those services. I don’t say that with any joy. It’s the last thing I would like to do, because I understand how important people’s faiths are to them, and we need our faith in this time of crisis. But we do not need gatherings that will endanger people." - "New York City to shut down worship services as coronavirus spreads," March 27, 2020.

  • Kristen Waggoner (New York Daily News): "Neither de Blasio nor any other officials have the constitutional authority to permanently close churches and synagogues. The government cannot permanently ban the practice of fundamental rights — the freedom to exercise religion included. Every one of us has the responsibility to contain the spread of this virus. But using a crisis to permanently curtail religious freedom is unconscionably cruel and does nothing but harm our communities." - "Sorry, mayor, you can’t close churches permanently: De Blasio’s wild overreaction to houses of worship that buck social distancing," March 31, 2020.

    • Additional reading

  • "Evangelicals slam NYC's threat to 'permanently' close churches that defy coronavirus order" - Christian Post, April 2, 2020


Debate over economic impact in New York

See also: Debate over economic impact during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

This section includes a sampling of statements made by public officials, influencers, and stakeholders on economic impact in New York.

  • Seth Pinsky, director of 92nd Street Y (Financial Times): 

    "The key to New York’s success over the last 20-plus years has been the first-class workforce it has been able to attract. What I worry about is that as government starts to react to the fiscal situation we are going to be forced to make cuts to basic services that are going to be so devastating that they will undermine the quality of life in the city." - "Can New York avoid a coronavirus exodus?," May 25, 2020.

  • Jonathan Bowles (Center for an Urban Future): Jonathan Bowles, executive director of Center for an Urban Future, co-authored a report that found that the boroughs of Manhattan have endured most of the initial economic impact from the shutdown.

    "This analysis shows that many of the industries suffering the most catastrophic early setbacks from efforts to contain the virus—including restaurants, retail, personal care services, childcare services, and air transportation—are overrepresented in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Recent growth trends may have exacerbated these vulnerabilities: While the city’s decade-long economic boom resulted in significant job growth across the city, a larger share of the job gains outside Manhattan were in these hard-hit industries." - "A Blow to the Boroughs: Many Industries Hit Hardest by Coronavirus Concentrated Outside Manhattan," April 1, 2020.

  • Brad Lander, New York City Council Member (Politico): "There is not enough urgency ... We have to move quickly if we’re going to save a set of existing small businesses. Everyone’s waiting and hopefully the federal government will provide some money, but if they don’t, the state could plausibly take some steps." - "Swaths of New York City small businesses face extinction in the wake of coronavirus," June 16, 2020.


Responses to the coronavirus in New York

See also: Government responses to and political effects of the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 (New York)
Click the links below for more on responses to the coronavirus pandemic in New York.

General resources

The chart below shows coronavirus statistics from countries across the world. The information is provided by Real Clear Politics.

Click the links below to explore official resources related to the coronavirus outbreak.


See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ CNBC, "Federal judge rules New York must hold June primary canceled over coronavirus risks," May 5, 2020
v • e
Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020-2021
OverviewsCOVID-19.jpg
Articles by Type
Federal policy responses • State government responses • Local government responses • Diagnosed or quarantined incumbents, candidates, and officials • State legislative session changes • State legislative responses • State executive orders • Eviction and foreclosure policies • Travel restrictions • School responses (2021-2022) • School responses (2020-2021) • School responses (2019-2020) • State court closures • Stay-at-home order status • States that issued stay-at-home orders • States that did not issue stay-at-home orders • Changes to ballot measure campaigns and policies • Changes to vote-by-mail and absentee voting procedures • Initial key federal official responses • Arguments in support of and opposition to government responses • Lawsuits • Multistate agreements • Non-governmental plans to reopen • Unemployment filings • Analysis articles • Paycheck Protection Program • Mask requirements • School budget changes • State budgets • Federal definitions of essential and nonessential businesses • Federal aid to states • Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program • State emergency power authority • Changes to state emergency power authority • Municipal emergency power authority • Halloween guidelines • Vaccine distribution plans • State plans to end federal unemployment • Changes to emergency power laws • Active COVID-19 emergency orders • State vaccine requirement (vaccine passport) policies • Recalls related to the pandemic • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on school responses to the coronavirus • State employee vaccine requirements • Healthcare worker vaccine requirements
State responses to coronavirus
State paths to recovery
State school responses
Coronavirus debate topics
Coronavirus debate by state
Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Debate_in_New_York_over_responses_to_the_coronavirus_(COVID-19)_pandemic,_2020&oldid=8690524"