Coronavirus: NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio called an 'idiot' for using YMCA gym after asking millions to stay indoors
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday, March 16, went to a public gym for a workout and it did not go down well with the public. De Blasio went to the gym hours after it was announced that all gyms in the city would be shut down and millions were asked to stay at home in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed over 7,000 lives worldwide.
As of March 16, the New York state had 950 confirmed cases of coronavirus, up from 729 on Sunday, March 15. Ten cases of death were reported. In New York City, the total number of coronavirus cases hit more than 300. In the US, nearly 80 cases of death were confirmed while over 4,000 have been affected.
De Blasio, 58, was spotted at the YMCA in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, on Monday morning. Just a day before, the Democrat told the city’s bars and restaurants that they would have to shut to all sit-in customers from Tuesday, March 17, at 9 am. Besides, cinema halls and other public places would also be closed.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, also a Democrat, sped up the shutdown on Monday and it went into effect at 8 pm the same day. The city’s gyms were also a part of the closing-down program.
De Blasio, however, did not stop himself from visiting a gym and was called an “idiot” by by-standers. They also told his security that he shouldn’t be in the gym.
Later, de Blasio’s spokesperson issued a statement saying the YMCA meant a ‘great deal to the mayor’, NBC reported.
“The YMCA has been a huge part of his and his family's life like it has been for a lot of New Yorkers,” it said. “It's clear that's about to change and before that, the mayor wanted to visit a place that keeps him grounded one last time. That doesn't change the fact that he is working around the clock to ensure the safety of New Yorkers. After today, gyms will close and he will no longer be visiting the YMCA for the forseeable future."
Governor Cuomo defends de Blasio
Andrew Cuomo was also asked about the mayor’s visit to the gym at a press conference and there, he defended him saying the gyms were still open when de Blasio made his visit.
He said he has his own workout program that he has developed over the years and he completes it “alone”.
People slammed de Basio on social media with one saying he was “selfish”.