New York Gov. Cuomo Tells Reopen Protestors 'You Have No Right to Jeopardize My Health'

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo slammed those gathering to protest 
coronavirus lockdown measures without masks, telling them they "have no
 right" to put others at risk.

Several anti-lockdown protests have taken place across New York state, 
the worst-hit by the pandemic, in recent days, including in Albany, Buffalo 
and Suffolk County on Long Island.

On Friday, protesters gathered at "MAGA May Day" rallies in New York City and 
other cities nationwide clamoring for an end to lockdown measures and stay
-at-home orders.

Cuomo was asked about protests in his state at his coronavirus briefing in 
Corona, a neighborhood in the Queens borough of New York City, on
 Saturday, during which he said the state's death toll was still "obnoxiously 
and terrifyingly high."

He said he understood people's frustration with the measures, but said he 
disagreed with those who want the economy to reopen despite the public 
health risk.

Protestors during a rally organized by the anti COVID-19 lockdown group American Revolution 2.0 on May 1, 2020 outside the New York State Capital in Albany, New York.ANDREW LICHTENSTEIN/CORBIS VIA GETTY IMAGES

"I understand people's frustration with the economy not being open. I get it.
 I want to see the economy open, for myself, for my family," he said. "I'm not
 going to put dollar signs over human lives. I'm not going to do that. Not for 
my family and not for yours. But I understand their point of view, and I 
understand the First Amendment. You have an argument, you're going to
 make your argument, God bless America."

Cuomo then lashed out at those who were gathering at rallies without a
 mask covering their faces, calling them "reckless" and "irresponsible."

"You don't have a right to jeopardize my health. You want to jeopardize your 
health, God bless you. You have no right to jeopardize my health," he said.

"The mask is not about your health. The mask is about my health, and my 
children's health and your children's health and that's why you have to wear 
a mask. It's not about your life, it's about other people's lives."

Cuomo, who issued an executive order last month requiring all New Yorkers
 to wear masks or face coverings in public, said he wouldn't tolerate 
protesters putting people's lives at risk.

He said local police forces have been asked to enforce the mask order and 
state police would be offered help if they need it.

While some states have started the process of reopening, New York state 
will remain on "pause" until May 15 at least.

Cuomo revealed on Saturday that the results of the state's completed 
antibody testing study showed 12.3 percent of the population have 
COVID-19 antibodies. He said he would use the data to determine the 
actions to take, "not emotions, not politics, not what people think or feel."

New York has more than 318,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease
 caused by the novel coronavirus, and more than 24,000 deaths, according 
to a tally maintained by The New York Times.