For many of us, this month is special; it is the season of renewal for Christians, Jews and Muslims, who celebrate some of the holiest days of the calendar in April. It will be different this year, as New Yorkers are still directed to stay at home and to practice social distancing. These are traditionally times to gather with loved ones and affirm our beliefs together. We can still do that, using tools like video calls and online services, and we look forward to future gatherings when we can look back on this period when all New Yorkers collectively sacrificed for the greater good, and overcame this challenge. We are New York Tough, and we will get through this.
Here's what else you need to know:
1. The federal government is deploying 1,000 personnel to New York State. The personnel includes doctors, nurses, respiratory technicians and therapists to help the state's overwhelmed hospital systems. The first 325 personnel were deployed to the New York City hospital system today.
2. The State COVID-19 tracker now includes more comprehensive demographics. The website, www.ny.gov/covid-19tracker, now includes additional data on the gender distribution of positive cases, as well as fatalities by age group.
3. A mental health hotline is available to New Yorkers who need it. We can't underestimate the impact this pandemic is having on mental health. New Yorkers can call the state's hotline at 1-844-863-9314 to get free emotional support, consultations and referrals to a provider.
4. A reminder that pharmacies offer free home delivery of prescriptions to New Yorkers. Pharmacies, including Walgreens and CVS, have agreed to offer free home delivery of prescriptions to help reduce long lines. New Yorkers can easily get the prescriptions they need without putting themselves or others at risk.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": The NBA season may be suspended, but basketball fans have a reason to be grateful. The NBA, in partnership with the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets, donated one million surgical masks to New York's frontline healthcare workers.
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Ever Upward,
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
