NY To Pay Death Benefit To Gov Workers Killed By Coronavirus

NEW YORK CITY — New York will pay death benefits for essential government workers who lost their lives to novel coronavirus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Memorial Day.

"They knew they were putting their lives in danger and they did it anyway," said Cuomo. "They showed up because I asked them to show up."

The New York governor announced the benefit during his daily COVID-19 press briefing on the USS Intrepid in New York City.

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Local and state governments will pay death benefits to essential government workers including medics, police officers, transit workers and firefighters.

Bill de Blasio's office thanked the governor for responding to the mayor's call for line of duty benefits to city workers lost to COVID-19.

"Everyday, but particularly on Memorial Day, it’s so important to stop and remember those we’ve lost," tweeted spokesperson Freddi Goldstein. "And do all we can to support the families they left behind."

Cuomo called on the federal government to echo his actions and send hazard pay to COVID-19 essential workers.

"I want to make sure we say thank you," said Cuomo. "Not just with nice words."

Local reporters took advantage of the rare opportunity to quiz Cuomo about New York City-specific issues, such as Mayor Bill de Blasio's prediction that the five boroughs will reopen in mid-June.

Cuomo declined to conjecture when New York City would be ready, saying, " I don't want to guess ... I'm out of that business because we all failed."

The governor also dashed the hopes of Staten Islanders who want to be allowed to reopen based on the borough's lower COVID-19 numbers that, considered out of the context of New York City, meet Cuomo's reopening criteria.

"I understand the Staten Island mentality," said Cuomo. "But Staten Island, just practically, is still part of New York City."

For the second time in the past three days, and for the first time in months, less than 100 New Yorkers lost their lives to COVID-19.

"Ninety-six is still painfully high, but only in the relative absurdity of our situation, it is that relatively good news," said Cuomo. "We remember those 96 families today."

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