“After speaking to numerous families who have suffered the loss of a loved one due to COVID-19 in nursing homes, one thing is abundantly clear: they are calling for the governor’s resignation and at this point I can’t disagree with them. The families also deserve real and personal apologies. This means individually, not a blanket apology, which has yet to even be given as the administration has only apologized to lawmakers for the ‘political inconvenience’ that withholding this information has caused them.

“Last night, one of his top aides admitted the administration withheld the true number of deaths for fear of repercussions and now this morning that same aide is trying to take back what she said by claiming we have misunderstood her comments. This just further confirms what we have known for months, that Gov. Cuomo and Commissioner Zucker have been trying to cover their tracks and mistakes for the past year in regard to our nursing homes and seniors. I stand with my fellow legislators and the families affected in calling for criminal complaints to be made, along with the investigation of Gov. Cuomo and Commissioner Zucker in regard to their handling of COVID-19 in our nursing homes and elder care facilities.

“As the chief health officer for New York State and as a doctor, Commissioner Zucker should have taken his duties and responsibility to keep individuals out of harm’s way and prevent disease wherever he can more seriously. Seeing as he knowingly allowed for COVID-19 positive patients to be moved from hospitals to nursing homes, thus spreading the virus further to the most vulnerable portion of our population, he has failed New York. Gov. Cuomo helped Commissioner Zucker in this process, which makes him just as unethical and immoral. This is why a full investigation into this issue is needed, the families that have lost loved ones in these facilities deserve nothing but the whole truth.”