COVID-19 has greatly impacted our worldwide community. The death toll has climbed to over 58,000, and there have been over one million cases confirmed globally. Over the past week, the United States has emerged as the country with the most cases; approximately 273,000 confirmed cases. In these times of distress and chaos, we shift our focus to the leadership of the United States. Ultimately, politicians’ reaction to coronavirus directly correlates to the severity of it. Many state governors, senators, and representatives have stepped up big in this time of desperation; however, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has stood out amongst others in the way he has managed this time of crisis.

Currently, New York has recorded the most cases in the country, giving Governor Cuomo a heavy burden. To say that Cuomo has taken great initiative to keep COVID-19 under control in New York would be an understatement; Cuomo has risen above and beyond in this time, staying composed and in control. Cuomo took immediate action when the first coronavirus case was recorded in New York stating, “We are fully coordinated, and we are fully mobilized, and we are fully prepared to deal with the situation as it develops.” Cuomo’s calmness throughout the past month has made the best out of a lackluster situation with it’s worst days ahead. 

Upon the first confirmed case in New York, Cuomo set up a testing center at the Wadsworth Center within the State Department of Health in Albany to conduct at least 1,000 tests per day. Soon COVID-19 broke out in Westchester, and Cuomo took great measure to limit the number of cases by urging anyone who had been in contact with any of the patients to go into self-quarantine. The confirmed cases in New York continued to rise rapidly causing Cuomo to declare a state of emergency, to help local health departments, in addition to urging people to work at home and closing all schools in Westchester. Other notable impacts Cuomo has made include his restrictions on large gatherings, decreasing in-office employees, the closing of all non-essential businesses, the construction of temporary hospitals, and eventually a stay at home order. 

Cuomo has been recognized nationwide for his leadership during this crisis. According to surveys, it has been found that 87% of New Yorkers are in support of Cuomo’s actions over the last few weeks. The manner in which Cuomo has dealt with the pandemic has been compared to the actions of FDR during the Great Depression. Cuomo always manages to bring out positivity, while maintaining his no-nonsense approach at his daily press conferences, and he is always looking for ways to lessen the effects of coronavirus on New York. Millions of Democrats have even questioned why Cuomo is not the Democratic nominee for the upcoming presidential election. 

Ultimately, it is people like Andrew Cuomo that are working endlessly to get our state and nation out of harm’s way. The New York State governor’s substantial role during these times is being acknowledged and praised on a national basis. Governor Cuomo’s leadership has inspired citizens to pay serious attention to the severity of COVID-19 and how we can help to contain the spread of the virus. Cuomo continues to impress in his daily press conferences, and he is not slowing down.