NY Coronavirus: All Can Vote By Mail; Unemployed To Get $600 More

NEW YORK, NY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced more major changes Wednesday as the state once again saw its largest number of single-day deaths from the new coronavirus.

The governor said all New Yorkers who file for unemployment will get an extra $600 on top of their unemployment checks and federal stimulus money, and that unemployment benefits will be extended by 13 weeks. Furthermore, all voting in the June 23 primary can be done by mail — the Cuomo administration will expand absentee ballot requirements so that people can cite they are doing so due to the risk of contracting the virus.

The state plans to look into whether to have in-person polling stations that day, Cuomo said. He called long lines outside polling stations that have been seen in Wisconsin "totally nonsensical."

Cuomo told reporters at his daily briefing Wednesday noting he had mixed emotions. He delivered good news — the state continued to see more flattening of the curve when it comes to hospitalization rates — and lamented the bad news that New York saw 779 deaths in a single day, topping the previous high of 731 that was set Tuesday.

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Even so, Cuomo reiterated the statewide stay-at-home order is working, declaring there was "no doubt we’re bending the curve."

"It is flattening the curve, and we see that again today so far,' he said.

Cuomo stressed the state must continue severe social distancing measures to avoid having the number of cases spike.

"It’s not a time to get complacent," he said, pointing to how Italy's medical system became overwhelmed with cases.

At the same time, Cuomo warned the number of deaths will rise as those hospitalized for a longer amount of time continue to die.

"Every number is a face. And that’s been painfully obvious every day," Cuomo said, calling the new coronavirus a "vicious predator" that attacks the most vulnerable.

Cuomo also said he will order all flags to be flown at half-staff to honor those who've died.

Meanwhile, the governor vowed to have researchers delve into data that showed African American and Latino communities appear to have been more affected by the virus. While New York's numbers don't appear as severe as other places across the country, racial gaps still exist, which could be due to the fact that minorities often work in industries deemed "essential," such as public transportation and food, and are often in more densely populated neighborhoods.

"It always seems the poorest people pay the highest price," Cuomo said.

Testing in minority communities — referring not only to COVID-19 testing but gathering data on communities most impacted by the virus — will begin immediately, he said. Get research and data on the virus. Public health officials will work with Northwell Health to begin research, he said.

The governor said he doesn't believe the nation will ever fully return to "normal" once the pandemic is over, but will instead see a "new normal" with regard to how the economy, environment and health system are designed to handle a global pandemic.

Testing for antibodies, he said, will be the "bridge from where we are today to the new economy."

Even so, reopening the economy won't be anytime soon, he said, noting such decisions will be made on a regional basis in conjunction with New Jersey and Connecticut. While he feared restarting the economy could lead to a second wave, Cuomo said he thinks it's possible the number of cases will never be completely gone.

“It may never be zero," he said.