New York governor wins Worldwide Emmy for COVID-19 briefings | US & Canada

The award committee praised Andrew Cuomo’s “masterful use of television to inform and reassure people around the world”.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo won an international Emmy award for his daily COVID-19 briefings during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States last spring that devastated the state in particular.

The governor was praised for his resolute approach early in the pandemic as cases and deaths increased and New York City hospitals were overwhelmed.

Cuomo’s daily briefings, which were data-intensive, dull, and usually aided by a PowerPoint presentation, contrasted sharply with those of U.S. President Donald Trump, who was accused of downplaying and politicizing the virus.

The International Emmy Awards said Cuomo will receive the Founder’s Award during a livestream on Monday in recognition of his leadership skills and “masterful use of television to inform and calm people around the world.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo frequently uses PowerPoint presentations in his COVID-19 briefings for the media [AP]Bruce Paisner, President and CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, said Cuomo’s efforts “effectively created television shows with characters, storylines, and success and failure stories.”

“People all over the world tuned in to find out what was going on, and New York became a symbol of determination to fight back.”

The organization noted that on March 2, Cuomo launched his first of 111 consecutive daily briefings. According to National Public Radio, this is the first time the award has been given to a politician who is still in office.

New York has seen a new surge in COVID-19 cases. New York City public schools closed Thursday when the city passed a three percent positivity rate.

In late September, the city’s school system was one of the first to reopen in the country.

At least 11.9 million cases have been recorded in the U.S. to date, with New York State accounting for about 34,000 of the over 254,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic began.

“Avoidable Mistakes”

During a press conference on Friday, Cuomo called the recognition “flattering” and said he was accepting the award on behalf of all New Yorkers.

However, some were quick to point out Cuomo’s perceived shortcomings during the pandemic, particularly a policy in March instructing nursing homes to accept people who had or had COVID-19.

That order was changed in May, but not before 6,326 coronavirus-positive patients were admitted to government nursing homes. Cuomo’s office has claimed that at the time he was following guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Others said the ongoing discord between Cuomo and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio had mixed up some aspects of the COVID-19 response.

New York District Attorney Jumaane Williams tweeted Saturday that Cuomo nevertheless “did what no other leader effectively did. He gave quiet briefings at a time when millions were scared. “

Williams added, “Unfortunately, his simultaneous decisions had avoidable mistakes that cost lives.”

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