Hochul praises local researchers' work on COVID-19 during URMC visit

Rochester, N.Y. - Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul praised the work of researchers across New York – including those in our area – in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at the University of Rochester Medical Center Friday, Hochul stressed New York would continue to invest in science and in those performing research related to COVID-19.

“(If) anybody in February could have told you that we would be talking about battling a global pandemic and that our own state would be the epicenter, I think people would have shrugged in disbelief,” she said. “But the reality is that’s exactly what happened to us, and now we’re starting to emerge from a long nightmare.”

Friday, doctors from URMC profiled some of the research being conducted in their labs, including studies on Remdesivir and building immunity to the virus.

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Hochul stressed that, going forward, how the state will focus on how to make sure there isn’t a backslide – as is the situation in many other states. She said simple solutions like maintaining social distancing and wearing a mask are two of the most important things citizens can continue to do.

“We talked about wearing masks – the first state in the nation to require masks – back in March,” said Hochul. “Yes, it was s shift. It was a behavioral shift, a cultural shift, a societal shift. But New Yorkers listened to us, and that is why they should so be proud, that they are the reason that we have the lowest rate of infections.

Hochul said New York has offered PPE and expertise on the virus to other states which are currently seeing surges in COVID-19 cases.