Thread by @ZachReports

I'll be posting a thread off this post with highlights from the "COVID update with Q&A" 👇if and when it happens this afternoon

https://twitter.com/ZachReports/status/1379082708899467266

Cuomo speaking to press at 3:30pm via conference call

"We're focused on vaccinations," Cuomo tells reporters on Monday conference call five days past April 1 budget deadline

"We're also working on the budget, obviously and the budget is really a budget and a COVID-management-in-NY-Recovery-Program," Cuomo tells reporters on Monday conference call. "It's not a financial document primarily; it's an action plan."

"The COVID numbers have basically been flat," Cuomo tells reporters on Monday conference call

"The behavior of a community makes a different," says Cuomo of stubbornly high test positivity rates in the five boros as he loosens public health restrictions across the state

"People are now relaxing," says Cuomo, who has loosened public health restrictions in recent weeks despite plateau in new cases/hospitalizations

"Politicians tend to stay away from no win topics," says Cuomo who has refused to answer any more questions about outstanding allegations of sexual misconduct.

"This budget will set the trajectory for the state for the next ten years," Gov. Cuomo says

Claims "conceptual agreement on all issues" though an official deal has yet to be announced five days past April 1 deadline

BS alert 🚨

How does Cuomo square barring press from event when there are a bunch of supporters there singing his praises?

"It's the total size of the group," says Cuomo who hasn't allowed ANY reporters despite having packed presser for more than 100days during pandemic

Funny how Cuomo's concern for total size wouldn't mean less sycophants at his events and more people asking important questions of a top elected leader

Spring is coming, we could even have press conferences outside or in those vacant commercial buildings that Cuomo wants to convert to affordable housing. That way, there will be plenty of room to accommodate the governor's need to have supporters while taking press questions

So... hoping a reporter (I haven't been called since late 2020) will get to ask the governor about all the hubbub about his book and reports of preferential COVID-19 testing for his family members. I believe this is the first time he has faced reporters since THAT came out...

Next question, so what's the latest with social distancing space in public schools?

Cuomo – who said two weeks ago he was reviewing new CDC guidance – passes off to DOH Commish Zucker who confirms they are still looking at it.

Counsel to the Governor Beth Garvey says sometime in the next 24-48 hours, which sounds like she was spitballing

W/ all this scandal and late state budget, Cuomo faced reporters for 1st time in week and spoke on

- Why no reporters at public events?
- Housing relief
- Gambling expansion
- Social distancing in schools

Nada re: sexual misconduct/nursing homes/ covid tests.$4M book deal