Cuomo Tells the Jobless to Get Essential Jobs

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo told protesters calling for an economic reopening to get essential jobs. 

Become an Essential Worker? 

Cuomo exchanged comments regarding the jobless on Wednesday with WRGB reporter Anne McCloy, who had spoken to demonstrators outside New York’s state Capitol, with many saying they can’t wait for widespread testing for the virus, so they can return to work faster and make money to feed their families. 

“By the way – if you want to go to work, go take the job as an essential worker. Do it tomorrow,” Cuomo said. 

In extended Q&A, Gov. Cuomo says he understands economic hardship of those out of a job, but warns recklessly returning to work could endanger others' lives.

"By the way—you want to go to work? Go take a job as an essential worker. Do it tomorrow."https://t.co/Zv6MGE4GDW pic.twitter.com/EKnYBDk4dp

— ABC News (@ABC) April 22, 2020

McCloy responded by saying that people aren’t hiring because of the pandemic, to which Cuomo replied that there are plenty of people who are hiring right now, so the jobless could become essential workers and provide for their families. 

Cuomo also acknowledges the “economic anxiety” but also raised the question of whether or not responding to it in a way that potentially jeopardizes public health and causes more deaths is the right decision, noting that the federal government is providing financial assistance for Americans and New York state is “moving heaven and earth” to speed up payments. 

Non-essential businesses will remain closed in the state of New York through May 15, as New York remains the hardest-hit by the coronavirus in the US, although new cases and deaths are going down by the day.