For New Yorkers, the thought of another statewide lockdown, that only allows businesses deemed essential to remain open, is less than welcome by many. But the state's Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said if people adhere to newly implemented guidelines, another shutdown can be avoided.
“That is really our last-resort situation, having put this economy, the city of New York, the entire state of New York, through a really excruciating time for our businesses,” Hochul told Cheddar.
Starting Friday, new guidelines require bars, restaurants with liquor licenses, and gyms to close at 10 p.m. Private gatherings have also been limited to 10 people.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is implementing the new guidelines as case numbers surge not just in the Empire State, but even more nationwide, in what is expected to be the next wave of the virus, Hochul said.
“It’s all driven by the numbers. We’ve been monitoring the infection rate, the rate of transmission, very closely for months now, and it’s sad to say that we’ve actually become experts on this having been, as you said, the epicenter,” she added.
While New York made strides in reducing the number of infections and deaths over the summer, Hochul said recent holiday travel and private gatherings, where people are likely to be less responsible when it comes to masking up, played a part in rising numbers.
“Think about our healthcare workers who’ve never left the frontlines all this time and now they’re wondering why everybody isn’t following the rules to keep them safe and their loved ones safe,” she continued.
Prepared for COVID-19’s Next Wave
Still, the lieutenant governor said the state is mostly ready to take on the next wave of the virus.
“We actually did foresee a spike in cases, predicted this over the summer,” Hochul said.
Hospitals, according to Hochul, are now better equipped to handle a surge in patients and were required to stockpile three months' worth of PPE. Rapid testing has become more widely available across the state, however, some places are running low, she said.
The state has also begun crafting plans to distribute a vaccine once it becomes available. Those plans include going directly into communities and places of worship, where some of the highest rates of infection and transmission have been recorded, and help spread awareness through local leaders, Hochul said.
While being proactive is only part of what will help New York beat the virus, Holchul said the plan will only work if everyone can get on the same page for the greater good.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday signaled a cautious approach to future interest rate cuts, in sharp contrast with other Fed officials who have called for a more urgent approach. In remarks in Providence, Rhode Island, Powell noted that there are risks to both of the Fed’s goals of seeking maximum employment and stable prices. His approach is in sharp contrast to some members of the Fed’s rate-setting committee who are pushing for faster cuts.
President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape the American media landscape have led to the suspension of late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel.
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The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point Wednesday and projected it would do so twice more this year as concern grows at the central bank about the health of the nation’s labor market. The move is the Fed’s first cut since December and lowered its short-term rate to about 4.1%, down from 4.3%. Fed officials, led by Chair Jerome Powell, had kept their rate unchanged this year as they evaluated the impact of tariffs, tighter immigration enforcement, and other Trump administration policies on inflation and the economy. The only dissenter was Stephen Miran, the recent Trump-appointee.
After a late-night vote and last-minute ruling, the Federal Reserve began a key meeting on interest rate policy Tuesday with both a new Trump administration appointee and an official the White House has targeted for removal.
The Trump administration has issued its first warnings to online services that offer unofficial versions of popular drugs like the blockbuster obesity treatment Wegovy.
Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama says his new Cabinet will include an artificial intelligence “minister” in charge of fighting corruption. The AI, named Diella, will oversee public funding projects and combat corruption in public tenders. Diella was launched earlier this year as a virtual assistant on the government's public service platform. Corruption has been a persistent issue in Albania since 1990. Rama's Socialist Party won a fourth consecutive term in May. It aims to deliver EU membership for Albania in five years, but the opposition Democratic Party remains skeptical.
The Trump administration has asked an appeals court to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve’s board of governors by Monday, before the central bank’s next vote on interest rates. Trump sought to fire Cook Aug. 25, but a federal judge ruled late Tuesday that the removal was illegal and reinstated her to the Fed’s board.
President Donald Trump's administration is appealing a ruling blocking him from immediately firing Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook as he seeks more control over the traditionally independent board. The notice of appeal was filed Wednesday, hours after U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb handed down the ruling. The White House insists the Republican president had the right to fire Cook over mortgage fraud allegations involving properties in Michigan and Georgia from before she joined the Fed. Cook's lawsuit denies the allegations and says the firing was unlawful. The case could soon reach the Supreme Court, which has allowed Trump to fire members of other independent agencies but suggested that power has limitations at the Fed.
Chief Justice John Roberts has let President Donald Trump remove a member of the Federal Trade Commission, the latest in a string of high-profile firings allowed for now by the Supreme Court.
