New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Massachusetts Republican Gov. Charlie Baker are being awarded for their leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cuomo is being recognized with the Edward M. Kennedy Institute Award for Inspired Leadership.The distinction comes in the wake of heavy criticism for the governor who in a March advisory, directed nursing homes in the Empire State to accept patients who had or were suspected of having COVID-19.
As of December 7, according to the non-profit Long Term Care Community Coalition, nursing homes and adult care facilities had 7,147 reported COVID-19 deaths.