23 September 2021: Replacement NY Lt. Gov Draws Attention to NYDOH's Zucker's Continued Employment

Lt. Governor On New York Health Commissioner: “Stay Tuned”

Whether he intended to or not, replacement NY Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin drew attention to Andrew M. Cuomo's henchman heading the state's Department of Health, who remains employed despite his involvement in the implementation of the Cuomo administration's deadly 25 March 2020 directive and its subsequent cover-up.

While he isn’t taking a position publicly, Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin said Wednesday that he and Gov. Kathy Hochul have spoken extensively about the future of State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker.

There have been calls for Zucker’s removal since Hochul took office over decisions he made during the COVID-19 pandemic, like decisions related to nursing homes.

“Listen, I share my opinions with the governor. You’re not going to get me in trouble out here, and we’ve talked about this extensively,” Benjamin said.

Calls for Zucker’s resignation gained traction in January when state Attorney General Letitia James released a report on the state’s handling of nursing homes during the pandemic....

The AG’s report also said a directive from the administration, barring facilities from turning away residents based on a positive COVID diagnosis, may have contributed to the spread of the virus in nursing homes....

For the time being, Lt. Gov. Benjamin said, “I would stay tuned.”

If Zucker's continuing employment at New York's Department of Health wasn't an issue, there would be no need for the "extensive" talks between replacment NY Governor Hochul and replacement NY Lt. Governor Benjamin. The writing is pretty much on the wall for a firing or resignation announcement on this one.