Nick ReismanVerified account

Cuomo says seven day waiting period will be waived for unemployment insurance if a person loses their job because of quarantining for coronavirus

Cuomo says closing schools remains a local decision. But he says he will waive requirement schools be open 180 days to receive state funding.

Cuomo says “something we have to address” is political ballot petitioning for candidates.

New York now has 421 confirmed coronavirus cases, the most in the country. The newest case is in Schenectady. The hospitalization rate is at 50 people, or 12 percent.

*Schenectady County, no community given.

Cuomo says “a major problem” that’s going to have to be dealt with is the total number of hospital beds available.

“This is not going to be gone next week ... this is months. So prepare yourself,” Cuomo says.

“At one point you can’t control the situation. You can’t protect yourself, you can’t hermetically seal your family... That’s why the facts are important,” Cuomo says.

Cuomo says one of his daughters was in precautionary quarantine for 14 days.

“I understand fully the fear. But the facts do not justify the fear,” Cuomo says.

Cuomo says the closure of schools has pluses and minuses. He says there are questions about kids about contact for kids outside of school, what parents do, kids getting meals during the day, instruction.

Cuomo: “We don’t know if closing schools actually reduced the spread” of the virus.

To be clear, this is the statewide school closure policy as per Cuomo: -This is up to local districts -If a student or staff member tests positive, the school closes for 24 hours and then an assessment is performed

Some of the 28 labs have the capacity to do automated tests, Cuomo says

Cuomo says pushing back elections scheduled for March 24 and April 28 haven’t been discussed. But he reiterates petitioning is a problem.

Cuomo: “if you don’t flatten that curve, that wave is a tsunami for the hospital system.”