'Over 30,000 deaths including thousands in nursing homes?' Fox meteorologist whose in-laws died of COVID blasts Cuomo over his 'Leadership Lessons from the Pandemic' book as NY faces second lockdown
A Fox News meteorologist whose in-laws died of COVID-19 has joined critics blasting New York Governor Andrew Cuomo for his book, while an ex-Brooklyn politician has published a spoof by 'King Covidius Cuomo'.
Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean, whose mother-in-law and father-in-law both died from the virus in New York nursing homes, hit out at Cuomo as the governor announced new restrictions on bars, restaurants and gyms across New York and infections continue to rise.
'What about your book tour about great leadership, flattening the curve and all that awesome success after over 30,000 deaths including thousands in nursing homes?!???!' she tweeted.
Meanwhile, former Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind - another vocal Cuomo critic - announced his own book launch Wednesday of 'Lessons in Leadership: King Covidius Cuomo' which mocks the governor as a 'tyrant king' who is 'personally responsible for the highest COVID death rate in America'.
Cuomo is facing a backlash after he imposed a new round of lockdown measures on New York Wednesday as the statewide positivity rate increased to 2.9 percent - its highest in months.
Many took aim at the fact he published his best-selling book, 'American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic' just last month, in which he lauded his own handling of the crisis.
Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean (left), whose elderly in-laws died from the virus, blasted Cuomo (right) over his book lauding his leadership during the pandemic as the governor announced new restrictions across New York and infections continue to rise
Dean joined in the outrage on social media in a series of tweets and retweets aimed at the governor after he published his book last month while the state is still battling the virus
Dean joined in the outrage on social media in a series of tweets and retweets aimed at the governor.
'Because science says the virus comes out after 10pm apparently,' the meteorologist wrote about today's decision to shutter bars, restaurants and gyms from 10 p.m.
'Gov. Andrew Cuomo's New COVID-19 Restrictions on Private Home Gatherings Violate Personal Liberty,' she added, sharing a link to a Reason.com article.
Dean first hit out at Cuomo last month when he released his book, saying it made her grief over her in-laws' deaths worse.
'I don't know any governor in the middle of a pandemic that should release a book, especially this one,' Dean told Fox & Friends in October.
'I have to tell you it just makes our grief worse to see him promoting a book like this and dodging the questions when he's being asked.'
On Wednesday, Dean also shared a link to Hikind's new spoof book that mocks Cuomo's handling of the pandemic, writing that she will 'buy 10 copies'.
Hikind's book cover shows a cartoon of Cuomo holding a crown on his head and sitting on a throne.
Meanwhile, former Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind - another vocal Cuomo critic - announced his own book launch Wednesday of 'Lessons in Leadership: King Covidius Cuomo' (above) which mocks the governor as a 'tyrant king'
The book is filled with blank pages apart from a foreword that reads: 'After more than 30,000 people died in his realm, the highest number throughout the land, and with a virulent virus still raging King Covidius Cuomo decided now was the right time to bring to you his immense wisdom gleaned from years of successful 'leadership'.'
The former assemblyman, who has been critical of Cuomo's response to the pandemic, also writes: 'How being personally responsible for the highest COVID death rate in America taught me invaluable lessons.'
Proceeds from the $19.99 spoof book will go to the charity Americans against Anti-Semitism - a dig at Cuomo who Hikind has accused in the past of singling out the Orthodox Jewish community during the pandemic.
Hikind also released a video on his Twitter page Wednesday to advertise the book where he is seen lying on a sofa reading the blank pages.
'When I grow up I just want to be like King Cuomo,' Hikind says sarcastically in the footage.
'It takes real leadership to send corona patients to nursing homes. Blaming others for your failure.
Cuomo's book, American Crisis, was published last month
'Wow. That's Machiavellian. That's perfect. I love that. You're the prince, you're the king! Oh, yeah. When all else fails, blame the Jews. The Jews. The Jews. They're responsible. That's great. Let me write that down. That's an important one.'
He continues: 'Wow. I finished the book in no time and so can you! This book is available for $19.99. An instant classic!'
Several others also blasted Cuomo on social media Wednesday, including journalist Yashar Ali who tweeted: 'I'm old enough to remember when you published a book just last month with this title: 'American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic'.
Another person chimed in: 'Don't forget that Cuomo wrote an entire book on 'lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic' that was released in October, months before we were even close to finished with this thing.'
'Cuomo declared victory over COVID and wrote a book detailing his 'success' in defeating the virus. Oops,' another wrote.
Cuomo became the brunt of outrage as he announced a new clampdown on New York as coronavirus cases continue to rise.
Bars, restaurants and gyms in the state must shut on-premises services at 10pm and private parties are now limited to 10 people.
Cuomo said the rules will come into force from Friday, warning 'COVID is getting worse by the day'.
Meanwhile, ex-Brooklyn assemblyman Dov Hikind has also revealed he is publishing his own book titled 'Lessons in leadership: King Covidius Cuomo' that mocks the Democratic Gov's handling of the pandemic
In his book, Cuomo condemned the Trump administration's coronavirus response and praised his own leadership efforts.
Cuomo describes in the book trying to placate President Donald Trump in order to get needed hospital beds, ventilators and other supplies for New York.
He detailed the state's success at rapidly ramping up testing capacity and his worry that New Yorkers wouldn't heed calls to stay at home to help avoid a catastrophic surge in hospitalizations.
Cuomo also addresses a frequent criticism of his leadership style: that he is overly controlling.
'You show me a person who is not controlling, and I'll show you a person who is probably not highly successful,' he wrote.
The book, however, fell short of addressing Cuomo's failings, including the thousands of patient deaths at New York nursing homes.
It's unclear how much of an advance Cuomo received for it.
Critics said it was shameful for him to be trying to make money from the situation when New York has been the worst-hit state by far in terms of number of deaths.
His last book - a memoir which he wrote in 2017 - sold only 3,200 copies. He was given a whopping $738,000 advance for it - $248 for every book sold.
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