Governor Hochul Sneakily Extends Her Pandemic Powers in New York
Many in New York State are ready to be done dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic, however, the pandemic isn't done with us.
At the beginning of the pandemic, the State of New York gave the Governor some additional executive authority to deal with the impacts of COVID-19. As the pandemic has continued over the last 2 years, the additional powers the Governor has been given have continued along with it.
Multiple areas across the state have seen their coronavirus positivity rates soaring this summer, Governor Hochul has issued a new Executive Order extending her emergency powers. The additional executive authority was set to expire this month but has been continued until at least August 13, 2022.
With new variants spreading throughout the state, we must remain vigilant and continue using the tools we have at our disposal to protect against and treat COVID-19... Make sure you are up to date on your vaccine and booster doses, and consult with your child's pediatrician about getting them vaccinated as soon as possible. If you're traveling or feel unwell, get tested, and if you do test positive, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
-Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York
Continuing this Executive Order allows the Governor and New York State to shut down various parts of the state and locations, extend masking requirements, and other measures that were used during the height of to coronavirus pandemic.
What impact continuing her executive authority will have remains to be seen, but something must be done because COVID-19 infections, positivity rates, and hospitalizations continue to spike across the state.