New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, seen at a news briefing in Albany on April 17, 2020, is due to meet President Donald Trump (MATTHEW CAVANAUGH)<\/i><\/p>\n
New York (AFP) – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he would press President Donald Trump on testing capacity for COVID-19 when the pair meet at the White House later Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Widespread testing is viewed as key to states being able to lift stay-at-home orders and reopen their shuttered economies.<\/p>\n
“Testing,” Cuomo replied when asked by a journalist what the focus would be of his first face-to-face meeting with Trump since the crisis began.<\/p>\n
“What does testing mean and how do we do it and how can the federal government work in partnership with the states,” he added.<\/p>\n
Trump’s administration is keen to get Americans back to work and has said there are enough tests for each state to move to “phase one” of a gradual reopening, ending some stay-at-home restrictions.<\/p>\n
But several US governors have complained about a lack of testing capacity that would allow them to safely begin reopening their states without sparking a surge in infections.<\/p>\n
Health experts say a shortage of tests means the United States may be underestimating the extent of the virus outbreak.<\/p>\n
New York state is the epicenter of America’s coronavirus epidemic, accounting for around a third of the country’s 42,450 deaths.<\/p>\n
Trump and Cuomo have clashed during the weeks-long crisis, including on equipment, and who has the authority to lift confinement measures.<\/p>\n
But they have also praised each other’s handling of the outbreak. <\/p>\n
Trump savaged Cuomo on Twitter on Friday, saying the governor has been calling the White house “begging” for help with equipment and funds.<\/p>\n
Earlier Friday, Cuomo launched a blistering attack on the president, accusing him of washing his hands of leading the campaign to boost coronavirus testing.<\/p>\n
Trump struck a more conciliatory tone on Monday, saying, “a lot of good things are happening in New York.”<\/p>\n
Disclaimer:<\/b> Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, seen at a news briefing in Albany on April 17, 2020, is due to meet President Donald Trump (MATTHEW CAVANAUGH) New York (AFP) – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he would press President Donald Trump on testing capacity for COVID-19 when the pair meet at the White House later…<\/p>\n