Cuomo uses coronavirus infection rate to extend coronavirus shutdown to May 15

<p>Governor Andrew Cuomo explained that New York needs to lower the coronavirus infection spread rate in the state before he can reopening the economy.</p><p>Cuomo, speaking at the daily briefing, said New Yorkers’ actions had brought the infection spread rate -- meaning the number of people each infected person goes on to infect -- to 0.9.</p><p>He compared that to Wuhan, China, where the disease originated, which had an infection spread rate of 0.3 before the economy was reopened.</p><p>One is the critical threshold: below one, the epidemic gradually fades out. Above one, it will grow, possibly exponentially, say scientists.</p><p>Cuomo, who said he was cautiously optimistic about the spread rate, used those figures to justify the extension of the state’s stay-at-home order, known as New York Pause, for another month until May 15, despite some protesting that the mandate is heavy handed.</p><p>“New York Pause has worked,” Cuomo said, arguing the success was indicative of why the order needed to be extended.</p><p>He added that wearing masks is “one of the best things we can do” to limit the spread of the virus and move toward reopening.</p>