Two test positive for coronavirus in Queens
Cuomo introduces ‘superior’ NYS hand sanitizer
made by the state’s incarcerated population
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | MARCH 13-MARCH 19, 2020 3
BY ALEX MITCHELL
Some of New York state’s
incarcerated population is
to thank for a new, cost efficient
hand sanitizer that
will be distributed throughout
schools, the MTA, and
other state agencies in upcoming
days.
Governor Andrew Cuomo
slathered on the citrusy
scented, floral bouquet “NYS
Clean” sanitizer in Albany
on Monday, calling it “superior”
to competing brands
like Purell — which the governor
has also criticized for
price gouging in the wake of
coronavirus hysteria.
Cuomo also threatened to
put NYS Clean on the open
market if “Mister Amazon”
and others continue to ramp
up pricing of hand sanitizer
and related products.
Pumping out 100,000 gallons
per week, the state’s
prison labor agency Corcraft
is manufacturing the
hand sanitizer at $6.10 per
gallon, $1.12 for a 7 oz. bottle,
and 84 cents for a small,
handheld hand sanitizer,
Cuomo announced, also
boasting that it contains 75
percent alcohol as opposed
to the CDC recommended 60
percent.
One of the first batches
will be sent to New Rochelle,
a “significant hot spot” for
coronavirus in the state, according
to the governor.
BY ZACHARY GEWELB
Governor Andrew Cuomo
declared a state of emergency
Saturday as the number of
coronavirus cases continues to
grow statewide — with Queens
being the latest county to have
a patient with the illness.
According to state Senator
James Sanders, the individual
is hospitalized at St. John’s
Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway.
The patient is in isolation,
and no one else has been
quarantined at the medical
center.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said
Saturday evening that the patient
is a male Uber driver in
his 30s who drives on Long Island.
He is not a TLC licensed
driver, according to the mayor.
“The New York City Department
of Health has confirmed
that a patient at St. John’s Episcopal
Hospital has tested positive
for COVID-19,” a spokesperson
for St. John’s Episcopal
Hospital said. “The patient is
currently in isolation and we
are closely monitoring team
members who may have been
exposed to this patient. We
have been actively preparing
for this, and we will continue
to follow all standard infection
control guidelines.”
Elected officials including
Sanders, Councilman Donovan
Richards, Congressman Gregory
Meeks, Assemblywoman
Stacey Pheffer Amato and city
agencies planned a press conference
for 1 p.m. at St. John’s
Episcopal Hospital but it was
subsequently canceled.
The press conference was
meant to call for increased
funding and resources to prepare
Queens for more potential
cases of coronavirus.
“I was informed by St.
John’s Episcopal Hospital that
they have a confirmed case of a
patient with COVID-19, aka the
Coronavirus,” said Amato in
a tweet. “The patient has been
isolated, and the hospital are
(sic) taking all necessary steps
& following all guidelines to
ensure the safety of the rest of
their patients, hospital staff,
and surrounding community.
I encourage everyone to consistently
wash their hands, avoid
touching their face, and cover
their mouths when sneezing or
coughing to reduce any risk of
exposure.”
‘Critically ill’ Queens senior
is second in the borough to
test positive for coronavirus
Mayor de Blasio confirmed
Monday that a second Queens
resident tested positive for
coronavirus and is in critical
condition.
According to the mayor, the
75-year-old Queens resident is
“critically ill” at a private hospital
in Queens. The man had
a fever, developed pneumonia,
had shortness of breath and
ended up in the ICU, de Blasio
said, adding that the man has
a pre-existing condition of diabetes.
“This is someone we’re
very, very worried about,” de
Blasio said Monday, “His wife
is asymptomatic and will be
quarantined and we are waiting
to know more on other
contacts.”
Fighting against price
gouging
Additionally, Cuomo called
on the New York State Department
of State’s Consumer Protection
Division to launch an
investigation into reports of
unfair price increases of consumer
products such as household
cleaning supplies and
hand sanitizer amid the novel
coronavirus outbreak.
“I want businesses to be
aware that you could lose your
license for price gouging. This
is serious. It is not just price
gouging. It is price gouging in
an emergency situation where
you are being exploitative of
the public. And there are specific
legal provisions for price
gouging in an emergency situation.
If you are a store, you
can lose your license and we
are very serious about this.
For the few dollars that you
are going to make during this
situation it is not worth your
while,” Cuomo added.
Cuomo said New Yorkers
can report suspected price
gouging by calling a toll-free
hotline at 1-800-697-1220.
Reach editor Zach Gewelb
by e-mail at zgewelb@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone at
(718) 260–8303.
Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks about the increase of positive novel coronavirus on March 7.
Photo by Darren McGee/ Offi ce of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor Andrew Cuomo introduces NYS Clean Hand Sanitizer in Albany.
Courtesy of Governor’s Offi ce
link
link
link
/QNS.COM
