Pressure is mounting on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to step up his response to the spreading coronavirus. Public officials called on the mayor to take bolder action to combat the virus on Sunday.
The New York Times reports that city council members and New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer are calling on de Blasio to close down the city's bars, restaurants, schools and movie theaters.
The way to get out of crisis is to act logically and strategically.
— Scott M. Stringer (@NYCComptroller) March 15, 2020
Logic says we need universal testing but that’s sadly not happening. Strategy says we need more aggressive social distancing.
That is why today, out of an abundance of caution, I am calling for a city shutdown.
Only essential services should remain open. No bars, restaurants, or movie theaters.
— Scott M. Stringer (@NYCComptroller) March 15, 2020
And I am again calling for NYC schools to be shut down.
We cannot go on with business as usual.
The number of coronavirus cases continues to climb in New York City and throughout the state. Mayor de Blasio declared a state of emergency last week and placed a ban on public gatherings of more than 500 people. Despite the move, the city's restaurants, bars and other areas remain popular places, which has city officials worried that the coronavirus could spread unless the mayor takes more drastic measures to contain it.
On Sunday, a union representing the city's health care workers called on de Blasio to close down New York City schools.
An 82-year-old woman in Brooklyn previously diagnosed with emphysema passed away on Friday after contracting the Wuhan coronavirus. She was the first person in New York State to die from the virus. The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state has topped over 700 people.
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