Are Murphy and Cuomo Handling the Pandemic better than the Government?

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Politico

Govs. Andrew Cuomo and Phil Murphy

Christopher Molina, Staff Writer

With the coronavirus spreading quickly across the United States and President Trump’s administration failing to contain the spread of this virus, it’s leaving governors to take matters into their own hands.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo took it upon themselves to contain the spread of the virus with little to no help from the federal government.

There are quite some similarities between both governors and their actions toward the virus, and how they have been acting toward the White House.

Both men, who also represent the Democratic Party, used progressive ideas before the outbreak to solve social issues in their state.

Residents have been informed to wash their hands for more than 20 seconds, avoid touching one’s face, practice social distancing and isolate oneself if they’re feeling under the weather. Not only have they set up guidelines but they’ve also placed restrictions on any outdoor or indoor gatherings and events. They have also ordered the closure of non-essential businesses such as, restaurants, casinos, theaters and more—all in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus.

Despite their best effort, both Gov. Murphy and Gov. Cuomo stated the lack of support from the federal government put many of their residents at risk. Earlier this week, President Trump noted that New Jersey and New York got off to a “very late start” in regards to containing the coronavirus. This prompted a statement from Gov. Murphy at his weekly COVID-19 briefing.

“I don’t think that there’s any state in America that was on this earlier than we were,” Murphy stated.

But Gov. Murphy wasn’t the only one frustrated with the president’s response to the coronavirus.

Gov. Cuomo voiced his anger with the Trump administration for their inadequate response to the pandemic. He even estimated that New York is only two weeks away from the pandemic reaching new heights.

This is due to a lack of medical supplies and resources, leaving the head of the U.S. Health and Human Services Alex Azar to deliver an extra 20,000 ventilators. This also came with a presidential order that demanded American companies produce only ventilators and other essential medical supplies.

The president said it’s a war – then act like it,” Cuomo said at a news conference in Manhattan. “They’re doing the supplies? Here’s my question: Where are they?”

With the spread of the virus growing, governers like Muphy and Cuomo are at the forefront of the pandemic alongside the many medical professionals treating COVID-19 patients.