Now he’s sorry.
Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo apologized to Jewish New Yorkers for lockdowns he imposed during the COVID-19 outbreak five years ago that banned large gatherings, closed schools and disrupted religious traditions.
The mea culpa comes just hours before the beginning of Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar when one is meant to atone for sins — and while Cuomo runs as an underdog in his political comeback bid for mayor.
In the video, Cuomo said he made decisions to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers during the once-in-a-century pandemic that killed about 80,000 residents.
“However, I recognize some of those decisions caused pain in the Jewish community because we did not always fully consider the sensitivities and traditions that are so deeply important,” Cuomo explained in the clip — which campaign sources said was distributed to rabbis in Orthodox Jewish communities, and first reported by Jacob Kornbluh of the Jewish Forward.
“We could have done better and for that I’m truly sorry,” Cuomo said.
“My decision doesn’t change the impact. I sincerely ask for your understanding.”
The lockdowns, aimed at preventing the spread of the highly contagious virus, drew backlash from residents in the ultra-Orthodox communities of Brooklyn and Queens.
Councilman Simcha Simcha Felder, who represents Orthodox communities in southern Brooklyn said of Cuomo’s apology, “G-d’s in charge, we will find out soon enough.”
Cuomo was more defiant in October 2020, when he was asked if he saw reason to apologize for the lockdowns.
“No,” Cuomo said then.
“I am sorry that they feel the disruption, I am sorry that they are disrupted, their religious ceremonies are disrupted, how many people they can have in a synagogue is disrupted, how many people they can have at a wedding is disrupted, the operation of their schools is disrupted. I am sorry for that,” Cuomo said.
The then-governor continued, “In the same way I’m sorry to the Catholic community and Muslim community and to all New Yorkers. I’m sorry that we are going through this. I’m sorry that people are dying. I’m sorry the state has to impose disruptions on your life. I’m sorry that we had to close your businesses which may mean you lose your business.”
Socialist Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani is leading Cuomo in the polls after defeating him in the June 24 election.
Cuomo is now running on the independent “Fight & Deliver” ballot line while Curtis Sliwa is the Republican nominee who also is running on a separate animal rights ballot line.
Mayor Eric Adams announced on Sunday that he will not seek re-election.
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