Cuomo is at the Javits center, says increase in number of cases "continues unabated." The rate of increase has gone up -- doubling about every 3 days.
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Says NYC density plan will be in place by noon today (but does not say what that means)
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"No one is testing more than we are testing." Says we've exhausted every option available to use -- we've closed businesses, schools -- done what we can.
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Says hospitals will start using new drug today, also new FDA-approved treatment in which plasma from infected people will be used; also "pursuing" antibody test
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The "inescapable conclusion" is that infections are spiking and apex is sooner than we thought. "It is clear we must dramatically increase hospital capacity...and we have to do it very quickly." As in 14-21 days.
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Reminder: Javits center is just 1k beds. We need 140k. Cuomo: "I will turn this state upside down to get the number of beds we need." Says he's calling hotel owners for space, looking at SUNY dorms, also seeking staff.
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"The greatest critical need are ventilators." Says state has been working around the clock, has 7k ventilators. "We need, at a minimum, an additional 30,000."
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Says they're trying experimental procedure -- use 1 ventilator for 2 patients. Difficult, experimental, "but at this point we have no alternative."
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"The only way we can obtain these ventilators is from the federal gov't. Period." Cuomo once again calls on Trump to invoke Defense Production Act.
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"I need the ventilators in 14 days." Says it's nice that companies are coming forward and saying they want to help, but it is not enough.
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Cuomo says he asked Secy Azar to release 20k ventilators in federal stockpile to NY.
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Why should NY get the stockpile? Because we have the need, says Cuomo. 25k cases right now.pic.twitter.com/xQNhd62TMK
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Also he says they can be deployed smartly. "As soon as we finish with the ventilators, then we move them to the critical part of the country that needs them." Says he takes responsibility for transporting ventilators as needed after we're done with them.pic.twitter.com/x0a11ZjpTU
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Cuomo says once we're past the worst of it, he'll not only send ventilators, but staff and professionals. "Let's help each other...after the curve breaks in NY, let's all rush to whoever's second....let's learn from each other and help each other."
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Cuomo: yes, we need to deal with the economy, but "job one has to be save lives." Says you don't have to choose between the two, says public health strategy and economic strategy can be linked.
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Cuomo: there's a point in which we can get people out of quarantine -- antibody test, low risk people. Says when we get the antibody test, "you are going to find hundreds of thousands of people" who have had the virus and resolved. "Let the recovered people go back to work."
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You can restart the economy "with our younger, recovered, tested workers."
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"It's not the economy OR public health, it's restarting the economy AND protecting public health, it is both."
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But back to the problem at hand. PS: Cuomo says FEMA "wants a pat on the back" for sending us 400 ventilators.pic.twitter.com/zI2VorSGRR
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oof, the webstream is breaking up on me. Follow
@fredmogul who is there and tweeting. This is the last slide I was able to capture:pic.twitter.com/gDcMHqqHNd
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"My mother is not expendable," says Cuomo. (BTW I'm watching the live stream here: https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1DXGyeoyvrEGM …)
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Question from
@fredmogul that really drills down on Cuomo's relationship/contacts with White House. Cuomo gets spicy: "They're doing the supplies? Here's my question: where are they? Where are the ventilators?...where are they if they're doing it?:Show this thread -
Question from
@andrewsiff4NY: how soon will the antibody test be ready? "They're working on it now, they're developing it," no timeline, he'll get it to us.Show this thread -
Cuomo's critique of people who say we can't stop the economy for elderly at risk. "That is not who we are. That is not what we are." We are not willing to sacrifice 2%. "We are going to fight every way we can to save every life we can...that is what it means to be New Yorkers."
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"That's why I called it Matilda's law...I wanted to personalize it....the one or two percent is Matilda...or your uncle."
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End of conversation
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