Cuomo shares heartwarming letter from selfless Kansas farmer who mailed him one of his few N-95 masks for a New York doctor or nurse despite having an ill wife who he is 'afraid for'

Gov. Andrew Cuomo reduced viewers to tears during his Friday press briefing by reading a letter he received from a selfless Kansas farmer who mailed him one of his few N-95 masks despite having an ill wife so that it could be used by a New York doctor or nurse.

The farmer, named only as Dennis, wrote that he and his wife, Sharon, are 'hunkered down' in northeast Kansas. 

She has only one lung and also suffers from diabetes, making her especially vulnerable to the virus. 

Dennis said in his letter that the family only had five masks from his working days. They kept four, for their immediate family, and mailed the fifth to Cuomo to pass on to a healthcare worker.

The governor was emotional as he read the letter aloud and said it should serve as inspiration for the country. 

This is the letter Cuomo was sent by a farmer in northeast Kansas which he read aloud on Friday 

Cuomo held up the mask the farmer sent that was intended for a doctor or nurse 

'Dear Mr. Cuomo,

'I seriously doubt that you will ever read this letter as I know you are busy beyond belief with the disaster that has befallen our country. We currently (as of March 26, 2020) are a nation in crisis. Of that there is no doubt. 

'Your approach has been spot on correct. I commend you for that and for especially telling the truth, something that has been sorely lacking as of late.

'I am a retired farmer hunkered down in northeast Kansas with my wife who has but one lung and occasional problems with her remaining lung. She also has diabetes. 

'We are in our 70s now and frankly I am afraid for her.

'Enclosed find a solitary N-95 mask left over from my farming days. It has never been used. If you could, would you please give this mask to a nurse or a doctor in your city. I have kept four masks for my immediate family.

'Please keep doing what you do so well, which is to lead.

'Sincerely, Dennis and Sharon.' 

Cuomo said the farmer's 'beautiful' generosity was an example for the entire country. 

'A farmer in northeast Kansas, his wife has one lung and diabetes, he has five masks and sends one mask to New York for a doctor or a nurse. 

'You want to talk about a snapshot of humanity? How beautiful is that? How selfless is that? How giving is that?  

'That generosity of spirit makes this country so beautiful. It makes up for all the ugliness that you see. 

'God bless America,' he said. 

Viewers flooded social media to say they had tears 'rolling down their faces' when he read the letter out.