Dozens of grieving New York families who lost elderly loved ones during the pandemic came together with eight of Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral race competitors to commemorate the five years since the former governor’s controversial order to house COVID patients in nursing homes. The families and candidates expressed sorrow and anger, condemning Cuomo for his decision, which led to the premature deaths of about 15,000 nursing-home residents. They criticized Cuomo for touting his leadership and signing a lucrative book deal while neglecting the lives of vulnerable individuals like Alexa Rivera’s mother, who passed away after Cuomo’s order on March 25, 2020.
Rivera, who co-founded Voices for Seniors, shared her mother’s story at the gathering, emphasizing that she deserved dignity and protection, which were denied due to Cuomo’s actions. The event outside Norman Arbeeny’s residence, where he passed away after contracting COVID-19, was emotional, with a memorial wall honoring the deceased. Family members placed flowers on a symbolic coffin to represent the funerals they were unable to have because of the pandemic. Peter Arbeeny led the event, urging Cuomo to take responsibility and address the losses suffered by countless families due to his actions.
Multiple mayoral candidates, including Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, and others, attended the event, taking the opportunity to reflect on Cuomo’s leadership failures and express solidarity with the families affected by the nursing home deaths. They criticized Cuomo for his lack of accountability and insensitivity towards the victims of his decision. Brad Lander, a mayoral candidate, highlighted the lack of accountability and transparency from Cuomo’s administration following the nursing home deaths, emphasizing the need for justice and truth for the affected families.
The sorrowful gathering highlighted the pain and suffering experienced by families who lost their elderly loved ones in nursing homes during the pandemic. Many speakers at the event shared heartfelt memories of their deceased family members and demanded that Cuomo acknowledge his role in the tragedy. The event served as both a remembrance ceremony and a call for accountability, with family members sharing personal stories and expressing a desire for justice and closure. The candidates also used the platform to criticize Cuomo for his actions and promise a different leadership style if elected as mayor.
The emotional testimonies from family members and candidates underscored the immense loss and grief felt by those affected by Cuomo’s decision to house COVID patients in nursing homes. The event served as a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of the pandemic on vulnerable populations and the need for responsible and compassionate leadership in times of crisis. The families and candidates united in their condemnation of Cuomo’s actions and his failure to take accountability for the tragic consequences of his decision. They called for transparency, justice, and a commitment to honoring the memories of the lives lost during this challenging time.
In response to the criticism from the families and political opponents, Cuomo’s spokesman expressed condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and dismissed the criticisms as politically motivated. The statement defended Cuomo’s leadership and reiterated the need for experienced and accomplished leadership to run the city of New York. The families and candidates have continued to push for accountability and justice for the victims of the nursing home deaths, emphasizing the importance of honoring their memories and preventing similar tragedies in the future.
