The lead-up to New York’s State of Emergency was a steep escalation, as people began to understand the severity of COVID-19 as people around them were getting so sick with what most people thought was the flu. Governor Cuomo took control of New York State, making several Executive Orders to ease the shock of closing down businesses, and cutting people off from other people in social distancing mandates. Effective June 24th, 2021, Governor Cuomo tweeted and stated in a press conference that New York’s State of Emergency is over. “Fighting COVID & vaccinating New Yorkers are still top priorities, but the emergency chapter of this fight is over. All thanks to New Yorkers who were #NewYorkTough.”

Senator Sue Serino sent an email to constituents, grateful for the move to lift the State Emergency power from Governor Cuomo, something that Republicans and Democrats have been pushing for. She ended her note with the following sentiment: “To every New York family that lost a loved one during this tough time, please know our hearts are with you always. As we rebuild, we will do so in their honor.”

Moments before her email arrived in inboxes, Hudson Valley Primary Care sent an urgent message to patients, encouraging adults and children age 12+ to get vaccinated, especially as the Delta variant is spreading in the United States. Said Hudson Valley Primary Care:

“The vaccines are safe and effective, and they prevent COVID-19 illness. They will help protect you and your family and keep your community safe. We strongly encourage everyone age 12 and older who are eligible to receive the vaccine under Emergency Use Authorization to get vaccinated, as the benefits of vaccination far outweigh any harm. Especially with the troubling Delta variant increasingly circulating, and more readily impacting younger people, the risks of being unvaccinated are far greater than any rare side effects from the vaccines. If you get COVID-19, you could get severely ill and be hospitalized or even die. Even if your infection is mild, you or your child could face long-term symptoms following COVID-19 infection such as neurological problems or diminished lung function.”

The lifting of the State Emergency triggers some local rules to go back to pre-pandemic statuses, which did not leave room for discussion on how those roll-backs would be implemented, or felt at the local level. According to local leader County Executive Marcus Molinaro, who is also the Second Vice President for the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC): “Counties across the state learned about the end of the State of Emergency by a tweet from the governor,” the County Executive told A Little Beacon Blog. “There was no coordination.”

Marcus Molinaro as well as Senator Serino have been pushing for Governor Cuomo to release power he holds through the State of Emergency, which have resulted in immediate changes, some for good, some for negative impact. Said Molinaro to A Little Beacon Blog: “Certainly we wanted to see an end to the emergency powers, but a transition was needed in order to negotiate the changes, and advocate for businesses as they recover. Regarding some rules that were waved to make it easier for businesses to do business responsibly, we have discussed why we should restore them ever. Some of these rules just don't make sense.”

The New York State Legislature could make a difference in overturning some of these rules, but they have gone on recess until January 2022. “They may have gone on recess because they didn't think a sunset of the State of Emergency would happen so soon,” Molinaro told A Little Beacon Blog. He hopes that when they return, some of these rules will be taken up for discussion and votes.