NY Graduation Policy Changed; Looted Businesses Get Help

NEW YORK, NY — New York students who've been in limbo this spring waiting to learn whether they'll have a graduation ceremony got their answer Thursday. New York will allow drive-in and drive-thru graduation ceremonies as the number of coronavirus deaths and hospitalizations continue to trend downward, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday.

In response to a reporter's question about allowing students to have in-person ceremonies, Cuomo said he can't risk people dying.

"Yeah, I know everybody wants to go to a high school graduation," he said. " I get it. Not if they're going to die."

At his daily briefing, the governor said New York City will begin phase one of reopening businesses Monday, while the Hudson Valley and Long Island begin the second phase Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.

Cuomo said recent tests showed that just 2 percent of Long Islanders are testing positive for the COVID-19 disease. That's down from 4 percent two weeks ago and 20 percent six weeks ago. In New York City, 2 percent of people are testing positive now, down from 5 percent two weeks ago and 26 percent six weeks ago.

While Cuomo said he stands with the protesters, he warned that having 30,000 people standing in close proximity could result in a spike in infections. He urged protesters to act as if they've been infected, and encouraged them to get tested. The state is expanding testing criteria to include all people who've joined protests in recent days.

On Wednesday, 52 people died of COVID-19, including 38 in hospitals and 14 in nursing homes. There were just 135 new hospitalizations as well.

Cuomo urged prosecutors to seek monetary bail conditions against looters who break into businesses using "dangerous instruments" such as rocks, bricks and crowbars.

"It would be nonsensical if police were arresting looters and they were released on the street to return and loot again," Cuomo said.

He stressed that prosecutors should not "up-charge," but rather "charge appropriately."

"Don't feel there's a political environment where, 'I don't want to charge because it's not political to hold people accountable for crimes,'" he said. "The law is the law."

The governor also said he will direct insurers Thursday to expedite claims for looted businesses and provide those businesses with free mediation of disputes. Furthermore, insurers will have to accept photos as reasonable proof of loss, rather than wait for police reports.