Cuomo likens COVID-19 to the Grinch: ‘The season of viral transmission’

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo compared the coronavirus to the well-known Dr. Seuss character the Grinch on Monday.

“COVID is the Grinch. Think of it that way,” Cuomo said at a press conference outlining his coronavirus plans for the winter. “And the COVID Grinch is an opportunist and the COVID Grinch sees this as the season of viral transmission.”

CBS New York reports that while Cuomo appeared to have a sense of levity, playing Christmas songs and humming along at one point, his message still carried serious concerns.

“We’re all now happy and cheery and we’re going to come together and we’re doing gift buying,” Cuomo said. “All those things that the holiday season brings, they all increase social activity, they all increase mobility and they will all increase viral transmission. So, this is the season of the holiday Grinch.”

Gov. Cuomo: ‘COVID is the Grinch … The COVID Grinch is an opportunist and sees this as the season of viral transmission … This is the season of the COVID Grinch. When you hear that holiday music, think COVID Grinch and be on alert.’ pic.twitter.com/88MCNNBhsJ

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) November 30, 2020

According to CBS New York, Cuomo said his biggest concerns were that hospitals would become overwhelmed again like they did in the spring.

“We learned from this nightmare. We’re going to correct for it, lessons we learned from this nightmare,” said Cuomo.

The governor did not announce any further restrictions, he said they would go into effect automatically as the full effect of the Thanksgiving travel and celebrations is felt and more mini-cluster zones are declared.

He also warned that if conditions continue to worsen, another lockdown could soon be on its way.

“The small gathering spread is now the number one spreader, about 65% of all cases. This is a dramatic shift,” said Cuomo. “Part of it is the holidays. It’s what happens during holidays. Part of it is reduced social options. I can’t go to the bar and hang out. I can’t go to the restaurant and hang out. I can’t go to the movie theater and hang out. Come over to my house and we’ll hang out. It’s just an adaptation of social behavior to the circumstances.”

He added, “This is not government being overly dramatic. These are just facts.”

Cuomo was recently dealt a blow when the Supreme Court blocked his office’s restrictions on religious gatherings last week before Thanksgiving in a 5-4 ruling.

The ruling was noted to be a rightward shift for the court that had ruled in favor of such restrictions earlier this year with similar cases before the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away. Her position was swiftly filled with conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett after a contentious confirmation process.

Cuomo dismissed the ruling however, stating that it would have little effect as restriction on the areas in question had already been lifted.

“I think this was really just an opportunity for the Court to express its philosophy and politics,” said Cuomo.