Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams released the following statement today calling for the creation of a defined 'shelter in place' policy for New York City.
"As the spread of COVID-19 continues, our city and state have had to make a number of difficult decisions to impose restrictions for the good of the public's health. While I know that these decisions take much consideration, the truth is that we have been behind when it comes to these restrictive citywide policies. "It's time for decisive executive leadership. I'm calling on Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio to create a defined "shelter-in-place" policy-not a quarantine- immediately, one that is reassessed on a weekly or biweekly basis. Under such a system, New Yorkers who are asymptomatic/non-vulnerable and non-essential employees would be able to leave their home for food, medicine, and light exercise, but the message would be clear: stay home unless absolutely necessary. For the 80-90% of New Yorkers who will not experience the most serious symptoms, the 10-20% who will are depending on our good judgement in adhering to a shelter-in-place strategy. We shouldn't have to relearn lessons from other cities, localities and countries. This moment demands that the city and state act now, and adjust and evolve as needed, to curb a pandemic that is growing by the day."