A scathing recent study reveals that during the COVID-19 pandemic, then-Governor Andrew Cuomo and mayoral candidate at the time, used forceful tactics and secrecy when interacting with officials in New York City. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio also faced criticism in the report, which was released by city agencies tasked with analyzing the city’s management of the health crisis. The report specifically highlighted the strained relationship between Cuomo and de Blasio, stating that their lack of coordination hindered collaboration between the city and state, leading to duplicate efforts, inconsistent recommendations, and a loss of confidence from the public.
The analysis, covering the period from January 2020 to July 2022, was conducted by city agencies, including the Health Department, Office of Emergency Management, and Health+Hospitals, which now serve under Mayor Eric Adams. Cuomo was accused of overshadowing City Hall and excessively controlling the city’s pandemic response. The report criticized Cuomo’s administration for withholding data from the city and failing to provide timely notice of policy changes and directives.
For instance, in March 2020, the state restricted the city’s access to the Health Emergency Response Data System (HERDS), impacting the city’s ability to monitor hospital capacity and support the healthcare system. Former officials highlighted the lack of information sharing between the state and city due to the rivalry between Cuomo and de Blasio.
The report also noted delays in crucial pandemic-related guidance from the state, causing confusion in healthcare operations early on. This disharmony extended to the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, with the city needing state approval for its allocation and distribution plan, creating additional bureaucratic hurdles.
The challenges in coordination between Cuomo and de Blasio eroded public trust, as highlighted in the COVID-19 Response Review Report. The study suggests that Albany micro-managed the city’s vaccination program, adding to the complexity of the situation.
The report highlighted conflicting guidance between the state and city, causing significant issues. In October 2020, Mayor De Blasio announced plans to close schools and non-essential businesses due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in parts of Brooklyn and Queens. However, Governor Cuomo rejected the mayor’s proposal, implementing his own closures for specific areas, as per the report.
State Senator Gustavo Rivera criticized Cuomo for overriding local decisions, describing him as an abusive bully. Cuomo defended his actions during the pandemic, stating that decisions were made in real time and in collaboration with local governments.
In response to accusations that Cuomo blocked vaccine clinics in Rivera’s district, his spokesperson provided evidence of vaccination sites in the northwest Bronx in 2021, calling Rivera a liar. The spokesperson emphasized the need for a strong state presence to support the city during the pandemic.
