Rapid Testing, Arts Will Spur NY’s Coronavirus Recovery: Cuomo

NEW YORK CITY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo made a simple pledge for New York’s business and arts communities still reeling from the coronavirus pandemic: “The show will go on.”

Cuomo on Tuesday devoted the second day of his State of the State toward plans to help the state and New York City recover from a crisis that closed offices, shut the lights off on Broadway and left scores of actors, artists and performers out of work.

He returned again to the “war” against the virus — a fight that requires sacrifice and tenacity.

“This is not a government initiative,” he said. “This is a New Yorker initiative.“

Rapid testing for coronavirus — which can give a result in as little as 15 minute — will be the key to reopening the state’s economy as vaccinations continue, Cuomo said.

“Why can't we use rapid testing to open restaurants in orange zones, theaters, offices?” he said. “There are so many options.”

Cuomo said the state will work with the local real estate community to open up rapid testing sites for the hours before patronizing a business or socializing. Hundreds of these new pop-up sites will open, he said.

Next, the state will work with property owner and management companies to reopen “COVID-safe office buildings,” Cuomo said.

“Major commercial operators with over 100 million square feet of space have already agreed to offer testing services to all tenants in their buildings on a regular scheduled basis,” he said. “We're working with more operators as we speak.

“Office buildings are the engines of our economy,” he said. “Bringing workers back safely will boost ridership on our mass transit, bring customers back to restaurants and stores and return life to our streets.”

But the state’s recovery — and New York City’s in particular — depends on the arts, Cuomo emphasized.

Cities aren’t cities without entertainment, theater and cuisine, Cuomo said.

“New York City is not New York without Broadway,” he said.

Cuomo announced the New York Arts Revival, a public-private partnership to bring the arts back. He said it will organize a series of pop-up performances across the state featuring entertainers such as Amy Schumer, Chris Rock and Hugh Jackman.

JFK once said: "I see little of more importance to the future of our country & our civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist."

In NYS we will bring the arts back to life through a new initiative: New York Arts Revival.#SOTS2021 pic.twitter.com/0Ja1YrgSE6
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) January 12, 2021

The performances and exhibitions will be held in social distancing-friendly venues such as Park Avenue Armory and Queens Zoo, Cuomo said. They’ll culminate in the opening of Little Island at Pier 55 and the 20th annual Tribeca Film Festival, he said.

“All events will follow state guidelines, serving as a model for safely reopening the arts across the state and the country,” he said. “We will also begin piloting large indoor spaces with testing and ventilation to explore what possible safe and smart options exist.”

Cuomo also outlined plans to expand broadband affordability to all New Yorkers, many of whom can’t afford the $50 a month average cost of internet.

He elaborated on previously-announced plans to convert vacant commercial spaces to affordable and supportive housing.

“To help our cities seize this opportunity, to help them seize the moment in time, the state will provide building owners flexibility to convert commercial space into affordable housing,” he said. “Stimulating housing conversions in these areas can create thousands of good paying jobs, increase affordable housing and ensure an even more dynamic, vibrant, diverse and affordable city.”

Cuomo plans to give two more State of the State speeches this week.