New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he wishes he had taken action earlier to alert Americans about the coronavirus outbreak.
"I wish someone stood up and blew the bugle,” he said. “And if no one was going to blow the bugle, I would feel much better if I was a bugle blower last December and January. ... I would feel better sitting here today saying, 'I blew the bugle about (China’s) Wuhan province in January.' I can't say that."
Cuomo made his remarks in an interview for “Axios on HBO.” Axios detailed his comments in a story on Tuesday.
"When we heard in December that China had a virus problem, and China said basically, 'it was under control, don't worry,' we should've worried," he said.
Cuomo was asked what he would say to Americans who feel like their state and federal governments have not kept them safe.
"I don't think New Yorkers feel or Americans feel that government failed them here," he said. "I think they feel good about what government has done. ... Their healthcare system did respond. This was not Italy, with all due respect…There were not people in hallways who didn't get healthcare treatment."
“Government didn't cause or allow anyone to die. They're more interested in solidarity. And I think that's where people are now. You may be right down the road, but they're not there today.”
But in early March, he had noted that people “don’t know who to believe. They’re not trusting their government. They’re getting different messages. The fear is more dangerous than the virus.”
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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