New York robbed of its hustle and bustle
Supplies flown in
Cuomo and officials at all levels of government are acquiring ventilators and other supplies from China, where newly built factories are producing vital goods as the outbreak in the country eases.
A commercial aircraft carrying 80 tons of gloves, masks, gowns and other medical supplies from Shanghai landed in New York on Sunday, the first of 22 scheduled flights that White House officials say will funnel much-needed goods to the US by early this month.
Lizzie Litzow, a spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said the plane delivered 130,000 N95 masks, 1.8 million other masks and gowns, 10 million gloves and thousands of thermometers for distribution in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
De Blasio has warned of even more devastating days ahead.
"I still fear the worst is not going to be April, but actually the beginning of May," he said. "I guarantee you that April is going to be exceedingly tough, and we have to understand that any projection of things being all OK by Easter－there's just no way that's true for New York City."
He was referring to Trump's statements last week that he wanted the US economy back up and running by Easter－April 12. It would be a "beautiful time", Trump said.
On Sunday, the president said he realized this would not be possible, given the continuing spread of COVID-19. He extended social distancing guidelines to April 30.
New York City residents who breach social distancing rules, which require them to keep 6 feet (1.82 meters) apart, will be subject to fines of up to $500, de Blasio said on Sunday.
"You've been warned and warned and warned again," the mayor said during a news conference.
On Tuesday, he said he closed 10 playgrounds across the city after residents failed to adhere to the guidelines.
Social distancing－or the need for more of it－reportedly led to the death of an 86-year-old woman.
