Gov. Kathy Hochul Pressed on Renewing Donor-Friendly COVID State of Emergency Edict; Biden's COVID-19 diagnosis comes almost two years after pledging to 'shut down' virus, and other C-Virus related stories

Paul Martinka

Gov. Kathy Hochul pressed on renewing donor-friendly COVID state of emergency edict:

Gov. Kathy Hochul is facing sharp criticism for keeping in place a COVID-19 state of emergency that dates back to her predecessor that some say serves largely to benefit her campaign donors.

Hochul has renewed a state of emergency for months that has suspended state purchasing rules which, the Times Union reported Tuesday, let a rapid testing company called Digital Gadgets — led by a campaign donor — secure $637 million in no-bid business from the state Department of Health since December.

“We have these finance laws for a reason. They’re there to protect the taxpayers from paying too much because the state is playing favorites with contractors,” Bill Hammond, a senior fellow for health care policy at the government watchdog Empire Center for Public Policy, told The Post.

The owner of the company, Charlie Tebele, and his family, have given nearly $300,000 to Hochul as she runs for election to her post against Republican gubernatorial nominee Rep. Lee Zeldin. --->READ MORE HERE

REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Biden's COVID-19 diagnosis comes almost two years after pledging to 'shut down' virus:

President Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, contracting the virus almost two years after he pledged the virus would be "shut down" when he became president.

Biden made the promise to "shut down" the novel coronavirus regularly on the campaign trail, forming a key component of his platform.

On Thursday, the president was diagnosed with COVID-19, according to the White House. It also comes one year to the day after Biden said the vaccine would prevent someone from contracting COVID.

Biden has received the vaccine as well as two boosters.

The president released a video following his diagnosis, saying his "symptoms are mild" and that he appreciates Americans’ "inquiries and concerns" about his health. --->READ MORE HERE

Follow links below to relevant/related stories and resources:

Biden tests positive for COVID, has dry cough and fatigue

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USA TODAY: Coronavirus Updates

WSJ: Coronavirus Live Updates

YAHOO NEWS: Coronavirus Live Updates

NEW YORK POST: Coronavirus The Latest

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