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Cuomo Allows Walk Ins For NY State Run COVID Vax Sites

New York lawmakers approved a bill Friday to strip Gov. Andrew Cuomo of the extraordinary authority to issue COVID-19 directives — a power it granted last year. But the measure allows existing orders to be extended. Cuomo is seen here during a news conference last month.
Seth Wenig
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POOL /AFP via Getty Images
New York lawmakers approved a bill Friday to strip Gov. Andrew Cuomo of the extraordinary authority to issue COVID-19 directives — a power it granted last year. But the measure allows existing orders to be extended. Cuomo is seen here during a news conference last month.

Governor Cuomo is making it easier to get the coronavirus vaccine in New York State. Cuomo says there are open appointments all across the state so starting Thursday, all state run mass vaccination sites will be open for walk-ins. That means no appointment is needed.

“So for the people who felt well I am not comfortable going on the internet. I don’t want to call. I don’t want to talk to a lot of people. All the obstacles are removed.”

He’s encouraging local health departments to also take walk-ins. The governor says so far 45 percent of New York State’s population has gotten at least one vaccine shot.

Meanwhile, New York City officials are reacting to the new looser federal guidelines on outdoor mask wearing.

Mayor de Blasio says he himself will still wear a mask outdoors a lot of the time but will work with new CDC guidelines.

“If you’re in a crowded place, if there is a lot of activity, that’s a great time to keep wearing a mask.” One of the city’s top health doctors Jay Varma seems less open to change.

“I think if our disease rates go down and once they get to a much lower level, that’s when we as health professionals are going to feel a lot more comfortable changing our guidance for both outdoor settings and then ultimately indoor settings.”