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Cuomo Emerges as ‘Trump Whisperer’ During Coronavirus Crisis Cuomo Emerges as ‘Trump Whisperer’ During Coronavirus Crisis
(about 20 hours later)
ALBANY, N.Y. — For Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, it should have been a softball question lobbed from a friendly source.ALBANY, N.Y. — For Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, it should have been a softball question lobbed from a friendly source.
The governor’s brother, Chris Cuomo, the CNN anchor, asked what he thought of President Trump’s repeated insinuation that health care workers in New York City were stealing medical supplies from hospitals by taking them “out the back door.”The governor’s brother, Chris Cuomo, the CNN anchor, asked what he thought of President Trump’s repeated insinuation that health care workers in New York City were stealing medical supplies from hospitals by taking them “out the back door.”
But Governor Cuomo did not take the bait.But Governor Cuomo did not take the bait.
“It’s a very vague thing,” the governor said. “It went out the back door? I don’t know what that means.”“It’s a very vague thing,” the governor said. “It went out the back door? I don’t know what that means.”
His younger brother seemed stunned.His younger brother seemed stunned.
“It didn’t go out the back door,” Chris Cuomo said. “He is saying somebody is taking it.”“It didn’t go out the back door,” Chris Cuomo said. “He is saying somebody is taking it.”
“Maybe that’s what he means but I don’t know,” the governor replied. “It’s a very vague reference.”“Maybe that’s what he means but I don’t know,” the governor replied. “It’s a very vague reference.”
The exchange on Monday was a vivid example of the delicate balance that Mr. Cuomo, a third-term Democrat who is enjoying a surge in popularity, has struck in his handling of the Republican president.The exchange on Monday was a vivid example of the delicate balance that Mr. Cuomo, a third-term Democrat who is enjoying a surge in popularity, has struck in his handling of the Republican president.
It is a daily dance that employs equal parts open flattery and indirect attack, bended knee and sleight of hand. In practical terms, that plays out in the governor’s complimenting the president by name, but seldom attacking him that way.It is a daily dance that employs equal parts open flattery and indirect attack, bended knee and sleight of hand. In practical terms, that plays out in the governor’s complimenting the president by name, but seldom attacking him that way.
While most Democratic leaders criticize Mr. Trump at nearly every turn, Mr. Cuomo has made it clear that he is more interested in getting New York help to fight the outbreak than he is in engaging the president in a war of words.While most Democratic leaders criticize Mr. Trump at nearly every turn, Mr. Cuomo has made it clear that he is more interested in getting New York help to fight the outbreak than he is in engaging the president in a war of words.
And Mr. Trump has returned the gesture.And Mr. Trump has returned the gesture.
On Thursday, the White House released a letter that President Trump sent to Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, accusing him of failing to better prepare New York for the virus because he was “missing in action.”On Thursday, the White House released a letter that President Trump sent to Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, accusing him of failing to better prepare New York for the virus because he was “missing in action.”
The president then suggested that Mr. Schumer begin working with Mr. Cuomo “for the good of all New Yorkers.”The president then suggested that Mr. Schumer begin working with Mr. Cuomo “for the good of all New Yorkers.”
The letter followed up an earlier blast on Twitter, where the president urged Mr. Schumer to “stop complaining & find out where all of these supplies are going.”The letter followed up an earlier blast on Twitter, where the president urged Mr. Schumer to “stop complaining & find out where all of these supplies are going.”
Mr. Trump closed the last of his two posts with another shout out to New York’s governor: “Cuomo working hard!”Mr. Trump closed the last of his two posts with another shout out to New York’s governor: “Cuomo working hard!”
The president’s missive seemed to be in response to a letter that Mr. Schumer had sent to the president earlier on Thursday, pleading for more protective equipment and better logistical coordination in the federal response, which the senator said was rife with “tardiness and inadequacy.”The president’s missive seemed to be in response to a letter that Mr. Schumer had sent to the president earlier on Thursday, pleading for more protective equipment and better logistical coordination in the federal response, which the senator said was rife with “tardiness and inadequacy.”
As for the president’s letter, Mr. Schumer was unimpressed. “I say to the president: Americans are dying, Americans are losing their jobs, American businesses are teetering on the brink,” he said. “Stop the pettiness. Be a leader. Get the job done.”As for the president’s letter, Mr. Schumer was unimpressed. “I say to the president: Americans are dying, Americans are losing their jobs, American businesses are teetering on the brink,” he said. “Stop the pettiness. Be a leader. Get the job done.”
Like the president, Mr. Cuomo has been ready to criticize Senator Schumer, a fellow Democrat, suggesting that the senior senator of New York had failed his constituents in the $2 trillion stimulus package.Like the president, Mr. Cuomo has been ready to criticize Senator Schumer, a fellow Democrat, suggesting that the senior senator of New York had failed his constituents in the $2 trillion stimulus package.
“It would be nice if he passed a piece of legislation that actually helped the State of New York,” Mr. Cuomo said on Sunday.“It would be nice if he passed a piece of legislation that actually helped the State of New York,” Mr. Cuomo said on Sunday.
The governor’s soft touch with the president would seem to be a departure from his style in Albany, where he has been in office for nearly a decade, and is known as the consummate political animal who thrives on conflict.The governor’s soft touch with the president would seem to be a departure from his style in Albany, where he has been in office for nearly a decade, and is known as the consummate political animal who thrives on conflict.
But Mr. Cuomo is also a proudly pragmatic deal-maker who has readily and regularly worked with Republicans when that party controlled the State Senate, infuriating some fellow Democrats, especially progressives. And in dealing with the president, the governor has seemed to refine that strategy, recognizing that Mr. Trump’s political antennae are fine-tuned to detect both praise and put-downs.But Mr. Cuomo is also a proudly pragmatic deal-maker who has readily and regularly worked with Republicans when that party controlled the State Senate, infuriating some fellow Democrats, especially progressives. And in dealing with the president, the governor has seemed to refine that strategy, recognizing that Mr. Trump’s political antennae are fine-tuned to detect both praise and put-downs.
“The trick to Trump is not to embarrass him in public,” said Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran Democratic political consultant who has known both men for decades. “Being a Trump whisperer means he can criticize him obliquely, by talking about the national government’s failure to respond.“The trick to Trump is not to embarrass him in public,” said Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran Democratic political consultant who has known both men for decades. “Being a Trump whisperer means he can criticize him obliquely, by talking about the national government’s failure to respond.
“But he can’t attack him personally,” Mr. Sheinkopf continued, “because then he loses any opportunity to talk to him behind the scenes to get anything done.”“But he can’t attack him personally,” Mr. Sheinkopf continued, “because then he loses any opportunity to talk to him behind the scenes to get anything done.”
Mr. Cuomo’s tactics have seemingly paid off in tangible ways. In the month since the virus was first discovered in New York, the governor has finagled or finessed the creation of thousands of federally financed hospital beds; the federal authorization of labs in the state to run coronavirus tests; and the arrival on Monday of a federal hospital ship, U.S.N.S. Comfort, which the state hopes will help relieve pressure on local hospitals, though it has been largely underused thus far.Mr. Cuomo’s tactics have seemingly paid off in tangible ways. In the month since the virus was first discovered in New York, the governor has finagled or finessed the creation of thousands of federally financed hospital beds; the federal authorization of labs in the state to run coronavirus tests; and the arrival on Monday of a federal hospital ship, U.S.N.S. Comfort, which the state hopes will help relieve pressure on local hospitals, though it has been largely underused thus far.
Some of that largess has been born of sheer necessity: New York remains the national epicenter of the outbreak, with more than 92,000 confirmed cases and more than 2,300 deaths.Some of that largess has been born of sheer necessity: New York remains the national epicenter of the outbreak, with more than 92,000 confirmed cases and more than 2,300 deaths.
By the same token, Mr. Trump has been complimentary of Mr. Cuomo’s performance on several occasions, perhaps aware of the governor’s good reviews for his handling of the outbreak.By the same token, Mr. Trump has been complimentary of Mr. Cuomo’s performance on several occasions, perhaps aware of the governor’s good reviews for his handling of the outbreak.
“With Cuomo he’s not dealing with a governor: He’s dealing with a person who could shape the public opinion nationally, and affect the outcome of the presidential election,” said Gerald Benjamin, distinguished professor of politics at SUNY New Paltz. “Cuomo requires distinct tactics from Trump’s point of view.”“With Cuomo he’s not dealing with a governor: He’s dealing with a person who could shape the public opinion nationally, and affect the outcome of the presidential election,” said Gerald Benjamin, distinguished professor of politics at SUNY New Paltz. “Cuomo requires distinct tactics from Trump’s point of view.”
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Mr. Trump and Mr. Cuomo have known each other for decades and share similar histories and traits: Both are Queens natives, sons of powerful fathers, with a need to prove themselves. Both are known as brash and demanding bosses, and both like the spotlight.Mr. Trump and Mr. Cuomo have known each other for decades and share similar histories and traits: Both are Queens natives, sons of powerful fathers, with a need to prove themselves. Both are known as brash and demanding bosses, and both like the spotlight.
“They’re both combative egomaniacs,” said Mike Murphy, a veteran Republican strategist and a Trump critic. “But Cuomo has the advantage of being the highly competent combative egomaniac.”“They’re both combative egomaniacs,” said Mike Murphy, a veteran Republican strategist and a Trump critic. “But Cuomo has the advantage of being the highly competent combative egomaniac.”
Mr. Cuomo, who served as secretary of housing and urban development under President Bill Clinton, also understands that New York is in an inherently dependent position in relationship to Washington, said George Arzt, a political consultant who was press secretary to Mayor Edward I. Koch.Mr. Cuomo, who served as secretary of housing and urban development under President Bill Clinton, also understands that New York is in an inherently dependent position in relationship to Washington, said George Arzt, a political consultant who was press secretary to Mayor Edward I. Koch.
“He once told me that the city can’t go to the toilet without calling the state. He realizes the federal government is in a similar position for the state,” Mr. Arzt said of Mr. Cuomo. “He needs the federal government and he’s not going to poke the bear unless he has to.”“He once told me that the city can’t go to the toilet without calling the state. He realizes the federal government is in a similar position for the state,” Mr. Arzt said of Mr. Cuomo. “He needs the federal government and he’s not going to poke the bear unless he has to.”
There have been skirmishes between the two men: Trump has accused Mr. Cuomo of overstating the number of ventilators the state needs, and suggested on several occasions that the governor is a malcontent.There have been skirmishes between the two men: Trump has accused Mr. Cuomo of overstating the number of ventilators the state needs, and suggested on several occasions that the governor is a malcontent.
Still, those brush-backs are mild compared to the type of vitriol that Mr. Trump has leveled at other Democratic governors like Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer, who the president said was in “way over her head” and didn’t “have a clue” how to confront the crisis.Still, those brush-backs are mild compared to the type of vitriol that Mr. Trump has leveled at other Democratic governors like Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer, who the president said was in “way over her head” and didn’t “have a clue” how to confront the crisis.
Mr. Murphy said that even with a “New York echo chamber that all hates Trump,” Mr. Cuomo was “not looking for enemies right now,” given the state’s urgent needs.Mr. Murphy said that even with a “New York echo chamber that all hates Trump,” Mr. Cuomo was “not looking for enemies right now,” given the state’s urgent needs.
“Cuomo just knows that total war would be good for him politically in some dimension, but operationally, it would be a huge pain,” he said.“Cuomo just knows that total war would be good for him politically in some dimension, but operationally, it would be a huge pain,” he said.
Mr. Cuomo’s position also stands in opposition to that of Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has repeatedly criticized the president, although his tone has become more measured in recent days.Mr. Cuomo’s position also stands in opposition to that of Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has repeatedly criticized the president, although his tone has become more measured in recent days.
“We’re talking about, ironically, a New Yorker in the White House who right now is betraying New York City,” Mr. de Blasio said on March 20.“We’re talking about, ironically, a New Yorker in the White House who right now is betraying New York City,” Mr. de Blasio said on March 20.
Mr. Trump has not taken such comments well.Mr. Trump has not taken such comments well.
“Yeah, I’m not dealing with him,” the president said, later that day. “I’m dealing with the governor.”“Yeah, I’m not dealing with him,” the president said, later that day. “I’m dealing with the governor.”
For his part, Mr. Cuomo says that he is not being obsequious and is willing to fight the administration. “I’m a tangler,” he said.For his part, Mr. Cuomo says that he is not being obsequious and is willing to fight the administration. “I’m a tangler,” he said.
But he insisted that the crisis is too big for squabbling.But he insisted that the crisis is too big for squabbling.
“I know this is a political year, and everything is a political backdrop, and Democrats want to criticize Republicans, Republicans want to criticize Democrats,” Mr. Cuomo said this week. “Not now. Not now.”“I know this is a political year, and everything is a political backdrop, and Democrats want to criticize Republicans, Republicans want to criticize Democrats,” Mr. Cuomo said this week. “Not now. Not now.”
Thomas Kaplan contributed reporting from Washington, and Jeffery C. Mays from New York.Thomas Kaplan contributed reporting from Washington, and Jeffery C. Mays from New York.