Gov. Andrew Cuomo predicted Sunday that some elected leaders across the country will strike a “different tone’’ — and take COVID-19 more seriously — now that President Trump lost the election.
“I think the [coronavirus infection] numbers are gonna go up and Americans are gonna get how serious this is,’’ Cuomo told ABC News in an interview.
“I think you’ll see a different tone now. I think you’ll even see some governors take a different tone now that Mr. Trump is out of office. I think you’ll see scientists speak with unmuzzled voices now,’’ Cuomo said.
“We’re coming up on the worst two months we may have seen vis-a-vis COVID,’’ New York’s governor said. “The scientists said this was going to happen. We’re going to have a long two months.’’
New York recorded a 2.2 percent positive rate among those tested Friday — the highest level for the state since June 1, when it was 2.5 percent. Thursday’s figure was 2 percent.
Cuomo and other Dems have accused Trump of risking Americans’ lives by failing to take the pandemic seriously, touting misleading propaganda about the virus and scoffing at recommended health precautions, among other things.
The president has insisted his administration has struck the right balance between safety and protecting the country’s economy.
