The United States is currently the country with the highest number of Covid-19 cases. Andrew Cuomo is earning widespread approval for the way he is managing the pandemic in the state of New York.
The unmistakably New York accent, the expressive lines framing his face, the slightly salt-and-pepper hair. He could pass for a Hollywood actor, but Andrew Cuomo is the governor of the state of New York. What has made American women "fall in love" with him, more than his looks, is his ability to manage the crisis caused by the ongoing pandemic.
Rachel Maddow, one of the best-known journalists in the United States and a familiar face on the television network MSNBC, has called Cuomo the "president of the coronavirus emergency". Some people would even like to see him as president of the United States — so much so that the hashtag #cuomo4president went viral on Twitter. As things stand, Donald Trump is largely confining himself to dispensing the occasional piece of incorrect information and using the situation as an opportunity to loosen pollution restrictions; while Joe Biden, his Democratic rival, is contentedly holed up in his Delaware mansion discussing what he will do once he is in the White House, as everyone outside is talking about Covid-19.
Cuomo — whose father always dreamed of becoming president (who knows, perhaps it will be the son who fulfils that dream) — is on the front line. He has said that "if there is ever a moment for unity, this is it" and strives to stand by his citizens in the best way possible, sparing them none of the details — because "they are not stupid, they can handle the truth" — while reassuring them in one of the most spontaneous and human tones heard from any head of state during this period, relying on science to avoid fuelling any kind of alarm. His brother, an anchor at television network CNN, tested positive for the virus, and the governor immediately shared the news. "Chris is strong. Less than he thinks" — he jokes — "but he'll be fine."
Listen to "07. Coronavirus, quando una pandemia apre il decennio più importante per il clima" on Spreaker.
No American is immune to the virus. It doesn't matter whether you live in Kansas or in Texas. In a sense, New York is like a canary in a coal mine. What is happening here will soon happen across the whole country. If there was ever a moment for unity, this, my friends, is that moment. In this situation there are no Republican or Democratic states, no red or blue victims. There is only the red, white and blue of our flag. The virus does not discriminate. It can attack anyone.Andrew Cuomo
First of all, the slides Cuomo uses may be "old style", but they are crystal clear. They set out in detail all the guidance that residents of New York state are required to follow. In his view, we are not "on lockdown" but "on pause". "I have no control over the contagion variable, but I do have control over the density valve," he explained. "Are the infection numbers not coming down? Then I turn the valve down a little. Are the infection numbers still not coming down? Then I turn it down a little more. Are the infection numbers still not coming down? Then I close the valve." Until 29 April, all non-essential activities are suspended and schools are closed; citizens are urged to stay at home and work remotely where possible. A telephone helpline is available for anyone who needs psychological support.
"If you need to blame someone, blame me," Cuomo declared. He had the courage to take full responsibility. Controversy is par for the course in situations like this, and he preferred to give people "a scapegoat." It may seem cynical, but it is useful. The governor introduced specific provisions for the most vulnerable sections of the population — from the elderly to the immunocompromised — contained in a law he named "Matilda" in honour of his mother. "The instinct is to love our loved ones," he said. "We would like to be with them, we would like grandparents to be able to hug their grandchildren. But we have to be smart, because their health depends on us. Let us learn instead to use phrases more often like: 'I love you', 'I miss you'…".
What can we learn about ourselves? Moments of crisis reveal our true nature: strength, weakness, beauty, vulnerability.Andrew Cuomo
The first temporary hospital on state territory was set up at the Javits Convention Center in New York, and has three thousand beds. At least four other sites have been selected to serve as temporary hospitals. Health authorities have estimated that around 30,000 ventilators will be needed: four thousand were sent by the federal government, but Cuomo managed to source a further seven thousand. However, as Dr Calvin Sun told CNN, the healthcare system is at risk of collapse because severe shortages of personal protective equipment are putting hospital staff at risk.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United States is currently the country worst affected by the coronavirus emergency, with 333,810 positive cases. The White House expects that between 100,000 and 240,000 people will die, despite the containment measures put in place. According to the New York Times, one of the most reliable American daily newspapers, the state of New York is the epicentre of the disease, with 138,836 cases and 5,489 deaths [data updated to 7 April, ed.]. On 7 April the number of Covid-19 deaths in New York City reached 3,200, surpassing the 2,977 of 11 September. Cuomo called on medical personnel from across America for help. Many responded to the appeal.
Despite everything, Donald Trump had the audacity to say that "Cuomo must do more." The governor's response was not long in coming. "I should do more? No, you have to do something! You should be the president."
Trump approved an aid package of two trillion dollars – the largest in American history, equivalent to roughly 1.851 trillion euros – to help individuals and businesses cope with the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus epidemic and to provide hospitals with the medical supplies they urgently need. According to Cuomo, however, the state of New York would receive only 3.6 billion, while the city of the same name would receive just one billion. Far too little.
