“The administration’s claim that their March 25 order requiring nursing homes to accept COVID-19 positive patients was not a significant factor in the tragedy that unfolded is incredibly hard for me to believe. It underscores why further investigation will have to be independent to be legitimate. Proving that staff members and visitors introduced the virus in some facilities does not prove that COVID-19 positive patients discharged from hospitals did not infect many others.

“Dr. Zucker discouraged people from issuing blame. ‘Blame the virus,’ he said. That’s not the tone the administration has adopted when they disagree with officials in Washington. They’ve heaped blame on federal officials. When 6,500 people die, their families need answers. Their friends need answers. All New Yorkers deserve answers. It’s about transparency and trust. We can work towards restoring it by having a truly independent, thorough investigation of what happened in our nursing homes,” said Ra.