Covid-19: New York provides death benefits to frontline workers

New York Governor, Andrew Mark Cuomo, has announced provision of death benefits to families of frontline workers who died after contracting COVID-19.

Cuomo announced this on Monday May 25, 2020 while speaking at a wreath laying ceremony at the USS Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum to mark Memorial Day.

“We know something about loss, because we’re living it again.

“How do we honor them? We honor them by growing stronger together,” Cuomo said.

Cuomo stated that the death benefits would be funded by state and local pension funds.

He also announced the state’s single day coronavirus death dipped below 100 for the second time in three days.

Across the state, 96 people died from coronavirus on Sunday, a benchmark New York hasn’t seen since March.

“We don’t have any money. Any additional money we spend increases the cuts to school aid, local government and hospitals. It’s a zero sum game,” he added.

When asked about local leaders on Staten Island who have been calling on the state to reopen the borough separately from the rest of the city, Cuomo responded that “Staten Island is part of New York City. The borough will open when the rest of New York City does.”