Approved August 9, 2022

RESOLUTION OF THE GREATER UTICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE URGING GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO REPORT ON NURSING HOME DEATHS

WHEREAS,  former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued and emergency declaration to use a series of executive orders to combat the Covid 19 pandemic;  and

WHEREAS,  these executive orders included mandatory lockdowns, business closures, and a policy of sending elderly patients stricken with the Covid virus back into nursing homes that were unprepared to treat them; and

WHEREAS,  a full review of that policy and the resulting death toll as Covid spread through nursing homes has yet to be completed and made public; and

WHEREAS,  Governor Kathy Hochul has an obligation to the residents of New York State, and particularly to those who lost loved ones in nursing homes due to Covid, to finalize an objective analysis of that policy and release the report; and

WHEREAS,  an objective analysis of that nursing home policy issue will be vital to the safety and health of New Yorkers in any future pandemic emergency response;

WHEREAS,  Governor Hochul became Governor on August 24, 2021 – nearly one year ago – and there has been no reporting of any follow-up on this situation; and

WHEREAS,  the Governor is currently campaigning for re-election in November and the citizens of New York have a right to a full disclosure of the State’s actions regarding Covid response policies prior to the election; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce calls on Governor Kathy Hochul to take all steps necessary to ensure that a complete and objective analysis of the Covid 19 nursing home policy be completed and released to the public prior to November 1, 2022.