Health Commissioner Apologizes After Denying NYPD 500K Masks

NEW YORK CITY — Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot issued a public apology for telling an NYPD top brass, who tried to commandeer 500,000 surgical masks meant for hospital workers at the peak of the novel coronavirus pandemic, "I don't give two rats' a--es about your cops."

"I apologize to the NYPD for leaving any impression whatsoever that I don’t have utmost respect for our police department," Barbot said in her statement, "which plays a critical role on the frontlines each and every day to keep our city safe.”

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Barbot's apology comes at the behest of Mayor Bill de Blasio, himself embroiled in a battle with the NYPD over social distance policing and the resultant accusations of racial bias.

"I told her I thought it was important for her to address [concerns] publicly," de Blasio told reporters Monday morning.

"We talked about how to deepen the work of all of our Departments as a single team and a unified effort for the good of all New Yorkers."

Barbot has not returned to de Blasio's daily press briefing since reports of her heated exchange triggered outrage last week, making this the first public comment on the exchange that has several police unions calling for her firing.

"Truth is this b---- has blood on her hands," tweeted the SBA. "But why should anyone be surprised the NYPD has suffered under DeBlasio since he became Mayor."

Barbot confirmed Monday her harsh words came in the context of an argument with NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan in late March, when he demanded 500,000 N-95 masks for his 55,000-member department.

“Masks and other PPE were in terribly short supply," Barbot said. "This regrettably led to an argument in which words were exchanged between a police official and myself."

Barbot's comments were leaked last week as tensions mounted over violent social distance policing, which Attorney General Letitia James said showed evidence of racial bias.

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea has repeatedly joined de Blasio for daily press briefings to assure New Yorkers racism was not to blame for the arrest of an unmasked woman in front of her child and officers not exhibit excessive force when they punched a man over alleged social distancing violations.

Read More: Black, Brown New Yorkers Get 80% Of NYPD Social Distance Summons and Black, Brown New Yorkers Make Up 90% Of Coronavirus Arrests: NYPD

De Blasio ordered the NYPD to enforce social distancing measures after a mass funeral in Williamsburg drew a crowd of thousands.

This decision has been repeatedly criticized by Police Benevolent Association president Patrick Lynch, who called on de Blasio Sunday to reconsider his NYPD policies.

Said Lynch, “Any policy that continues to deploy police officers to enforce social distancing is not only bound to fail, it is putting cops in dangerous situations with no support.”

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