De Blasio Press Conferences

Not His First Public Health Crisis

As New York Magazine pointed out, de Blasio managed Ebola and Legionnarie’s outbreaks. Why is he fumbling the city’s management of COVID-19?

The mayor has alternated between defensive and hopeful tones in the press conferences I’ve watched. I remember when it was breaking news that two cases had become four cases. And then breaking news: 13 cases. The mayor warned us to be ready for 1,000 cases. Now we have more than 2,000 deaths.

Seven days a week, sometimes twice a day, he asks New Yorkers to practice social distancing and respect humanity—but also respect checks and balances. Reporters ask about uninsured patients, protection for renters, food pantries, remote learning, closing parks, business loans, why de Blasio didn’t wear a mask... It’s a wild range of questions from quite an ensemble. I find listening to the mayor pretend to be unflappable kind of reassuring. https://youtu.be/flpBil-Yi9c

VIRAL STAR The mayor’s ASL interpreter Jonathan Lamberton has been stealing the scene for years. I’m disappointed when he’s not there.