NEW YORK (AP) — Andrew Cuomo has apologized to New York City’s Jewish community for his response to the COVID-19 pandemic when he was governor, a rare retreat on a signature campaign issue as he runs for mayor .

In a video that circulated online Wednesday, Cuomo said he was acting to “protect health and save lives” during the pandemic — when he angered Orthodox communities by limiting the size of religious gatherings — but did not “always fully consider the sensitivities and traditions that are so deeply important.”

“We could have done better, and for that I am truly sorry. My intentions don’t change the impact, and I sincerely ask for your understanding,” Cuomo said in the video, which was timed to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

The video was not posted to Cuomo’s social media pages

See Full Page