On Tuesday, September 10th, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will face a congressional hearing for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, where he will be questioned about his administration’s handling of the crisis, particularly regarding the directive to place COVID-19 patients in nursing homes. This testimony marks a significant moment for families who lost loved ones in these facilities, many of whom believe Cuomo’s policies contributed to their deaths.
Janice Dean, a Fox News senior meteorologist and outspoken advocate for these families, will be present at the hearing. Dean, whose in-laws perished in a nursing home during the pandemic, has been a relentless voice calling for accountability, accusing Cuomo of prioritizing his own image over the lives of vulnerable seniors.
Dean, along with other families, have been actively seeking a bipartisan investigation into the Cuomo administration’s actions, but their efforts have largely been met with resistance in New York. They are grateful to the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic for taking up this issue.
In the lead-up to the hearing, Dean spoke with several families who are also attending, sharing their raw emotions and the pain they have endured. Peter Arbeeny, whose father passed away in a nursing home, spoke about the weight of his promise to his father to seek justice. Vivian Zayas, whose mother died during the pandemic, described the emotional toll of fighting for justice for so long, expressing the need to confront Cuomo and ensure he is held accountable.
Donna Johnson, whose parents passed away in a nursing home, shared her anxiety and frustration about Cuomo’s lack of accountability and truthfulness. She emphasized the need for transparency to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
Dean herself acknowledges the difficulty of forgiving Cuomo, expressing her frustration with his pattern of deflection and blame-shifting. She believes Cuomo will prioritize his own self-preservation over acknowledging the pain and suffering he caused.
The congressional hearing will be closely watched by the families, who are finally getting their chance to confront Cuomo and demand justice for their loved ones. It remains to be seen whether this will lead to any concrete actions or bring closure to these grieving families, but it represents a significant step toward accountability for a deeply controversial chapter in New York’s pandemic response.
