Governor Cuomo Locks Down The Empire State to Prevent Spread of Coronavirus

We certainly had hoped that it wouldn’t come to this, but here we are.

New York State is about to shut down shop for a few weeks in order to combat the spread of the covid-19 strain of coronavirus.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered a statewide lockdown amid the worsening coronavirus pandemic Friday that will shut down most of the Empire State — including New York City.

“I want to be able to say to the people of New York — I did everything we could do,” Cuomo said. “And if everything we do saves just one life, I’ll be happy.”

The restrictions take effect Sunday night at 8 p.m. and will:

• Shut down all non-essential businesses across the state, leaving just grocery stores, pharmacies and other essential operations open
• Ban all non-solitary outside activity, like outdoor basketball games and other team sports
• Require all non-essential government and private sector employees work from home

Cuomo did not mince his words when speaking on the reasons for his decision.

“We have to do it, we have to be serious,” Cuomo told reporters at the state capitol.

“Everyone has personal freedom and everyone has personal liberty and I’ll always protect that,” he added. “But everyone also has a responsibility to everyone else.”

Included as “essential” businesses are gas stations, laundromats, and, above all, liquor stores.

Because the Lord knows we’re going to need a drink when this is all said and done.