BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York is one of only a few states in the nation to have not established a date or metric for full reopening.
According to the New York Times, there are eight states that have no metric. Those states are New York, New Jersey, Maine, Maryland, Kentucky, Colorado, Wyoming, and Washington. 25 states are fully open and other states are expected to open this month, next month, or have at least established a criteria.
WBEN asked Governor Andrew Cuomo about why there is no metric or date set.
"It's just a number," Cuomo said. "It's just a goal. It's not based on anything."
He said the state is making their decisions based on how the numbers are on that day and criticized the politicians of states for specifying a date on when a full reopening would occur.
"How do you know what the numbers are going to be in September?" Cuomo asked, rhetorically. "What basis do you have for that? I've been involved in this from day one on the most intensive level of anyone in the country, frankly. Nobody knew what they were talking about. Nobody. Everything changed."
Cuomo said he doesn't believe in "prophesying".
"Because it's a guess," he said. "We follow the numbers every day. We get that vaccination. If you are vaccinated, enjoy the ballgame with other vaccinated people. You want to open the stadium tomorrow at 100% vaccine? God bless you...The more the vaccine goes up, the lower the positivity rate goes, those are the numbers. React to the numbers that day."
The governor admitted he "went out on a limb" by suggesting that pools and beaches will be able to reopen at full capacity by the Fourth of July but said it was a "leap of faith".
"If a variant hits, they're talking about an Indian variant and a South African variant, who knows what would happen in the next six weeks," Cuomo said. "I don't think you do the public a service suggesting a goal that might not happen. I like to stick with facts and if I say it's going to happen, it happens. If I'm not sure it's going to happen, I tell you I'm not sure it's going to happen. That's how I feel most comfortable dealing with the people of the state. I give you just facts and then I'll give you my opinion. But you can throw my opinion in the garbage pail. But here are the facts."
