NY Gov Cuomo Is Taking a Lot of Heat Over His New Found Position on Lockdowns

After months of strict lockdowns in the State of New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo has gone from shaming anyone who opposed them for putting money or human lives to suddenly deciding that the economy must reopen.

In his State of the State address Monday, the Governor told New Yorkers it was time to open up the economy but in a safe way despite increasing coronavirus cases.

Gov Cuomo has had some of the most draconian coronavirus mandates in the country. Business owners have been pleading for months to reopen or go broke to no avail. Suddenly, Cuomo has a change of heart. Why?

In his address Monday the governor stated without making a change the state would have “nothing left to open.”

Big shock there!

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Cuomo tweeted an excerpt of his address saying, “We simply cannot stay closed until the vaccine hits critical mass – the cost is too high.”

He went on to specify, “We must reopen the economy, but we must do it smartly and safely.”

We simply cannot stay closed until the vaccine hits critical mass. The cost is too high. We will have nothing left to open. We must reopen the economy, but we must do it smartly and safely.#SOTS2021

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 11, 2021

Cuomo said the reopening of theaters, art centers and restaurants would be based on COVID-19 testing. He did not specify what that would look like.

Fox News reports:

“Cases throughout the U.S. are once again at record levels — with New York’s statewide positivity rate at 6.22% as of Sunday. The state is facing a coronavirus-related budget hole valued at a record $15 billion.”

The Governor also asked for federal aid which he will likely get once Biden is in office in a few short days. The coincidence is fairly remarkable.

As one might imagine, the Cuomo is taking a lot of flack for his abrupt shift.

Rep Lee Zeldin, GOP-NY, asked, “So let me get this straight..when Republicans have been saying this that means they are science deniers trying to kill people, but when @NYGovCuomo finally says this today then he is a genius who should write another book about his incredible leadership? Did I get that right?”

So let me get this straight..when Republicans have been saying this that means they are science deniers trying to kill people, but when @NYGovCuomo finally says this today then he is a genius who should write another book about his incredible leadership? Did I get that right? https://t.co/CztjsslC30

— Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) January 11, 2021

Conservative writer A.G. Hamilton tweeted, “[Florida Republican Gov. Ron] DeSantis was absolutely excoriated for saying almost exactly this months ago (putting politics over lives!) while Cuomo was shutting down restaurants and letting schools inexplicably close.”

DeSantis was absolutely excoriated for saying almost exactly this months ago (putting politics over lives!) while Cuomo was shutting down restaurants and letting schools inexplicably close. https://t.co/N7r5PWaROV

— AG (@AGHamilton29) January 11, 2021

Donald Trump Jr. also got in on the mocking, tweeting, “Brilliant strategist… it’s incredible that no one thought of this months ago!”

Brilliant strategist… it’s incredible that no one thought of this months ago! https://t.co/dig1V9qduy

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 11, 2021

At the end of the day, Cuomo will open up the economy because the state is broke. There has been a mass exodus of New Yorkers over the past seven months along with a myriad of businesses that have had to close their doors forever. Declining population and business makes for declining tax revenue.

At least the small businesses that have managed to make it this far now have a chance.