Cuomo uses coronavirus infection rate to extend coronavirus shutdown to May 15

Governor Andrew Cuomo explained that New York needs to lower the coronavirus infection spread rate in the state before he can reopening the economy.
Cuomo, speaking at the daily briefing, said New Yorkers’ actions had brought the infection spread rate -- meaning the number of people each infected person goes on to infect -- to 0.9.
He compared that to Wuhan, China, where the disease originated, which had an infection spread rate of 0.3 before the economy was reopened.
One is the critical threshold: below one, the epidemic gradually fades out. Above one, it will grow, possibly exponentially, say scientists.
Cuomo, who said he was cautiously optimistic about the spread rate, used those figures to justify the extension of the state’s stay-at-home order, known as New York Pause, for another month until May 15, despite some protesting that the mandate is heavy handed.
“New York Pause has worked,” Cuomo said, arguing the success was indicative of why the order needed to be extended.
He added that wearing masks is “one of the best things we can do” to limit the spread of the virus and move toward reopening.