Video, Audio, Photos & Rush Transcript: Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, Governor Cuomo Announces Expansion of Diagnostic Testing Criteria to Include All First Responders, Health Care Workers and Essential Employees

Issues Executive Order Allowing Pharmacists to Conduct Diagnostic Testing for COVID-19

State is Conducting Antibody Testing for Frontline Health Care Workers at Four New York City Hospitals and Health Care Systems

State Will Conduct Antibody Testing for First Responders and Transit Workers Starting Next Week

Confirms 10,553 Additional Coronavirus Cases in New York State - Bringing Statewide Total to 282,143; New Cases in 57 Counties

Governor Cuomo: "We've said thank you to the first responders, and we meant it sincerely, and saying thank you is a good start. People want to know that they're appreciated. But even better than saying thank you, actions speak louder than words, right? So show me that you're thankful, and act like you're thankful, and get me the help I need. I'm out here doing my job, it's my public duty, I get it, but I'm sacrificing myself, I'm sacrificing my family, at least show me support. And support is you have the equipment you need, you have the tools you need, and we're going to get you testing on a priority basis, because you deserve it."

Cuomo: "Generations are called upon to deal with high levels of difficulty. We are called upon to deal with this crisis. Day 56. 1918 pandemic went on for two years. We're on day 56. World War I went on for four years. The Great Depression went on for four years. You want to talk about economic anxiety? You want to talk about people losing homes, not being able to feed themselves. People living in camps. People living in cars. World War II, six years. Vietnam War, that intensity every night, every night have to hear about the tragedies, went on for eight years. I get 56 days is a long time. I get it's the worst thing that we have experienced in modern history. I get that, but just a little bit of perspective."