Cuomo: NYC heroes lost to coronavirus may get benefits similar to 9/11 packages
Families of first responders who make the ultimate sacrifice fighting the coronavirus may receive line-of-duty death benefits similar to those afforded kin of 9/11 heroes, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday.
“It’s something that I think is going to come up, and I think it’s an important thing to look at,” said Cuomo during his daily Albany press briefing, when asked about the consideration.
The possible lifeline was floated as the coronavirus death toll in the five boroughs hit 3,202, surpassing the number lost in the terror attacks on September 11, 2001.
“They know what they’re exposing themselves to, and they still do it,” said Cuomo of not only front-line responders, but health care and transit workers. “God bless them.”
But with the battle still raging, Cuomo touted efforts being made to prop up the “three-legged stool” of the state’s hospital network: beds, staff and equipment.
The state has amassed a total of 90,000 available hospital beds, up from a starting point of 53,000 when preparations began in earnest, Cuomo said.
Some 7,000 new health care workers have been hired by the state, either out of retirement or the private sector, to reinforce beleaguered standing staff, added Cuomo.
“They’re overworked, they’re stressed, they’re under great emotional stress,” said Cuomo of the existing ranks.
And, if barely, the Empire State is still making do with its caches of ventilators, personal protective equipment and other essential supplies.
“We are stretching,” said Cuomo. “But every hospital has what they need today.”
Nurses and doctors across the city have reported widespread shortages of protective gear and have even organized protests outside hospitals to demand more aid from officials.
