Gov. Andrew Cuomo calls out ‘selfish’ New Yorkers for not wearing masks

Yahoo Entertainment
Updated

Governor Andrew Cuomo visited The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday and discussed his latest efforts to get New Yorkers to wear masks. The governor didn’t mince words while discussing residents who refuse to comply with the mandate. In March Cuomo blasted New Yorkers during his daily briefing because many people were not following social distancing guidelines. At the time he said, “It is insensitive, it is arrogant, it is self-destructive, it is disrespectful to other people and it has to stop and it has to stop now.” Stay at home orders and social distancing appear to have helped reduce the number of new cases. The governor is hoping to keep the number of new cases low by maintaining social distancing and having all residents wear face masks in public. “We still have to stay disciplined, a little bit,” said Cuomo. “When you say the worst is over, some people actually start to unwind -- wear the mask.” Cuomo said that 98% of the residents are complying with the request, but he had strong words for those who are not. “I just do not get it,” said Cuomo, “You have to be selfish not to wear a mask now and you have to be disrespectful of other people, otherwise wear the mask.”

Video Transcript

[THEME MUSIC]

ANDREW CUOMO: When you say the worst is over, some people actually start to unwind. Wear the mask. Wear the mask.

- Wear the mask.

- Wear the mask.

REPORTER: With reports of New York's coronavirus cases decreasing, Governor Andrew Cuomo visited "The Tonight Show" and discussed his latest efforts to get New Yorkers to wear masks. But despite his tweets on the subject matter and requests during his daily briefings, some people just aren't getting the message.

ANDREW CUOMO: I just do not get it. You have to be selfish not to wear a mask now. And you have to be disrespectful of other people.

- Right?

ANDREW CUOMO: Otherwise, wear the mask.

REPORTER: This isn't the first time Cuomo has called out his residents. In March and April, Cuomo blasted New Yorkers for not social distancing and being selfish. Now he is using the tough love approach to keep the number of new cases low by getting 100% of the city to wear masks. And apparently, he's super close to achieving that.

ANDREW CUOMO: Look, 98% of the people are wearing masks. It's that last 2% who we're trying to deal with.

[THEME MUSIC]