Urgent Call for an Independent Review of New York’s COVID Response

Bill Hammond Advocates for a Comprehensive Pandemic Analysis

Bill Hammond, in his opinion piece for the Daily News, highlights the critical need for New York to conduct an in-depth review of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stressing that the greatest mistake is the state's failure to learn from the crisis, Hammond supports a legislative proposal to establish a commission of external experts. This commission aims to dissect the 2020 actions, identify shortcomings, and formulate a robust pandemic defense strategy. Spearheaded by Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas and Sen. Julia Salazar, the initiative seeks to allocate budget funds for the Pandemic Response Study Commission.

Hammond emphasizes that such a review is not only essential for accountability, especially regarding the controversial nursing home directive under Cuomo's administration, but also for preparing for future health crises. By investigating early detection failures, stockpile neglect, and ineffective outbreak tracking, the commission intends to propose actionable reforms. With subpoena power and a mandate to hold public hearings, the proposed commission represents a hope for significant public health system improvements, ensuring New York is better equipped for any forthcoming emergencies.