NEW YORK _ Gov. Andrew Cuomo cited Hebrew quotes to urge Orthodox Jewish New Yorkers living in COVID-19 hot spots to refrain from large gatherings.
"I say to my friends in the Hasidic community: The Hebrew faith teaches us, pikuach nefesh, which means 'save a life,' and under the Hebrew teachings ... participation in a religious ceremony can be excused for a matter of health and life and safety," he said during a Sunday phone call with reporters.
The comments came as the city and state have struggled to contain an uptick in COVID cases in parts of Brooklyn and Queens with large Orthodox Jewish populations. A state order last week to end in-person schooling, shutter nonessential businesses and crack down on religious gatherings prompted fierce pushback, including violent protests in Borough Park, Brooklyn, and lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the order.
After talking tough last week, the governor appeared to soften his tone on Sunday.
"Love your neighbor as yourself," Cuomo said, citing the Book of Leviticus. "The point here is to save a life and not to endanger others."
The COVID infection rate is 5.7% in the cluster sites, according to Cuomo. Statewide, the rate is 0.84% excluding the hot spots, he said.
Five New Yorkers died Saturday, Cuomo added, bringing the state's official death toll to 25,574 _ the highest in the country.
Cuomo repeated his criticism of Mayor Bill de Blasio's handling of the new outbreak.
"People see that a law isn't enforced _ they dismiss the law," the governor said, though he didn't mention de Blasio by name.
De Blasio said last week that the city would begin issuing steep fines to people who hold large gatherings or refuse to wear face masks.
His office didn't immediately answer an inquiry asking how many fines have been given out since the step was announced Wednesday.
