De Blasio slams Cuomo’s ‘arrogance’ amid criticism over threats of COVID-19 vaccine fine



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Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday criticized Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plan to amend hospitals as a way to speed up the slow rollout of vaccines, much criticized by the state.

“It’s just arrogance,” de Blasio said in an interview with Errol Louis of Cuomo of New York City, saying financial penalties could speed up the process.

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Hizzoner continued to defend the city’s healthcare workers and told Cuomo to reject the threats.

“Does he think our health care professionals aren’t interested in vaccinating people? How about trusting the people who have been our heroes?” said de Blasio.

“Help them, support them, do not fine them, do not threaten them, respect them and help them.”

Cuomo on Monday blamed the state’s slow inoculation effort – which saw large amounts of unused vaccine – on local leaders, including de Blasio, on Monday.

The governor also specifically argued that the health and hospital system run by the city of Big Apple had not carried its weight.

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De Blasio said on Monday evening that instead of issuing threats, the state should implement new rules to encourage faster delivery of vaccines.

“We need rules that maximize the pace, that help us speed up and reach the people available, who are a priority and who are ready, willing and able, that makes good sense,” said the mayor.

“So the state can help us here. Stop threatening people.”

The State Department of Health sent a letter on Sunday establishing a use-or-waste position, Cuomo said, forcing suppliers to use up the supplies they have so far been allocated by the end of the week or face fines of up to $ 100,000.

In the future, they must use up all vaccines within seven days of receiving them or face fines – and risk being cut off from future vaccine shipments.

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Public and private hospitals in the state only used about 46% of the coronavirus vaccines provided to them, according to statistics cited by Cuomo on Monday.

While the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System led the way, with about 99% of its allocated injections administered, in contrast, the city’s health and hospital network only used 31%.

But De Blasio on Monday night called Cuomo’s analysis of city-run hospitals “patently inaccurate, arguing their vaccine supply was inflated because much of the inventory was only one day old.”

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“What he said about health and hospitals was just plain wrong. over there, ”the mayor said.

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