This holiday weekend I wish all who celebrate - Happy Easter. We remind New Yorkers that Easter celebrations should be enjoyed only with immediate family to reduce the spread of COVID-19. I know this is a very challenging time, but we must continue to social distance to protect one another and to save lives. To quote Winston Churchill, a personal hero of mine: "Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."
1. I want to make sure New Yorkers who are struggling can receive legal assistance for any issues they may have. The State established a new partnership with the New York State Court System to create a pro bono network of volunteer lawyers to provide New Yorkers in need with free legal assistance. Volunteers will begin to receive training and start offering assistance next week. Lawyers interested in volunteering can sign up at www.nysba.org/covidvolunteer
2. New Yorkers struggling financially should have full access to their stimulus payments. I issued a letter calling on the U.S. Treasury to ensure New Yorkers do not have their stimulus payments frozen by banks or seized by creditors as soon as they arrive.
3. There is still time to respond to the Census. It is safe, easy and can be done online from the comfort of your own home. Let's make sure every New Yorker is counted. Complete the Census today at my2020census.gov.
4. A reminder that price gouging is illegal. New York has zero tolerance for price gouging connected to COVID-19 and the NY Department of Consumer Protection is investigating reports of unfair price increases on products like cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer. To report suspected price gouging, call 1-800-697-1220 or file a complaint online at https://www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection/.
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Cherry blossoms are one of the many iconic April blooms. Tomorrow at 3pm ET, the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens are hosting a Facebook Live virtual nature walk through their Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden. You can join the tour on their Facebook page.
Ever Upward,
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
