DOH Ducks a Simple Question on Covid in Nursing Homes

by Bill Hammond

Five years after the coronavirus pandemic, the state Department of Health is pleading ignorance about one of its most hotly debated policy choices of the crisis – a directive that sent thousands of infected patients into nursing homes.

Responding to queries from two elected officials, the department refused to say whether it now considers that March 2020 policy to have been consistent with federal guidelines at the time. Instead, it deflected the question to unnamed “former officials” who were in charge when the policy was issued.

“To the extent you have questions or seek analysis regarding the March 25, 2020, advisory or actions taken by the former administration, we respectfully suggest you direct such questions to, or seek such analysis from, those former officials,” said the Oct. 3 letter, which was signed by the department’s general counsel, Kathy Marks.

This dismissive non-answer sends a dismaying message to New Yorkers who were hoping the department would seriously analyze its performance during the coronavirus disaster – and thereby prepare itself to do better when the next virus arrives.

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Source: Empire Center