Gov. Cuomo: Misinformation, Emotion, Fear, Panic, Is Truly More Dangerous than the Virus

EXCERPT:

CUOMO: “I had a conversation last night with a business person from New York City, who I know, who was panicked that New York City was going to be locked down, that they were going to be roadblocks, that there were going to be mandatory quarantining, he was going to be imprisoned in his house. I said, 'Where did you hear that?' 'Well, that’s what they say. That’s what I’m hearing. They are saying.' And I was saying, 'Look, I would know, right? Because I would have to authorize those actions legally. It’s not going to happen.' 'Well, I hear it is going to happen.' I said, 'I know, But I would have to do it. And I’m telling you, I’m not doing it.' It must have taken me 25 minutes just to slow him down to hear the information. When you get that emotional — that fearful, you literally don’t process information in the same way. So we have to be very aware of that. Clear communication from everyone, from our friends in the media, from the health care professionals, from all elected officials. Clear communication, consistent communication. Because misinformation, emotion, fear, panic, is truly more dangerous than the virus at this position, in my opinion.”