NYC Could See Food Rationing As Coronavirus Spreads: De Blasio

NEW YORK CITY — New Yorkers need to prepare for a new reality akin to the Great Depression that could include food rationing, Mayor Bill de Blasio warned Monday.

“I'm not saying bread lines, but let's be clear," de Blasio said on MSNBC Monday morning. "This is a pure war footing, right down to rationing if you need it."

With 329 positive COVID-19 cases reported in New York City Sunday, de Blasio said he shares Gov. Andrew Cuomo's fears that the outbreak will overwhelm the state's heath care system.

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"We've got a few weeks to get on a full war footing or we are just going to have our hospitals in a situation where they can't save lives," de Blasio said. "We're going to have to set up emergency ICUs in hospitals, not only all over New York City, all over America."

De Blasio called on the U.S. Military to provide additional support to the hospital system, echoing the calls of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

"We're going to need the United States military to come in with their substantial logistical and medical capacity," the mayor said. "Put them on coronavirus for god sakes.”