The Atlantic Daily: Andrew Cuomo Had No Choice
The New York governor wanted to come out of the pandemic a hero. Instead, he leaves in disgrace.
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Andrew Cuomo wanted to come out of the pandemic a hero. Instead, he leaves in disgrace.
After the New York governor spent months evading calls to step down, a damning investigation into the sexual-harassment claims against him—and the threat of impeachment—forced him into a final answer: resignation, effective in 14 days.
In a televised statement, Cuomo continued to deny wrongdoing but acknowledged that his position in office was no longer tenable. The state will get its first female governor in Cuomo’s successor, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.
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Cuomo had no choice. The Democratic party and its voters are less tolerant than Republicans of sexual harassment within their ranks, our New York–based staff writer Russell Berman points out.
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Last year’s “Cuomosexual” merch now seems awkward and empty. The T-shirts and mugs, some of which are still available on Etsy, serve as “a chastening reminder of how easily politicians can find refuge in empty iconography,” Megan Garber writes.
- How did the governor of New York escape blame for so long? Our staff writer David A. Graham points to three factors: softball media coverage of the governor, New York’s single-party political culture, and a national bent toward demagoguery.
The rest of the news in three sentences:
(1) The Senate passed its bipartisan infrastructure bill, sending it to its next challenge: the House. (2) U.S. COVID-19 cases continue to climb to levels not seen since the winter. (3) The Taliban captured three more cities in Afghanistan, continuing a streak of victories.
What to read if … you’re looking for practical advice on how to manage your risk in light of Delta:
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If you’re vaccinated, your risk of a symptomatic breakthrough case remains very low. And if you do get COVID-19, your immune system is better prepared to handle an infection than it would have been without the vaccine.
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The CDC now recommends fully vaccinated people wear masks in public indoor settings in communities with “substantial or high transmission.” See if that applies to you.
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Should you take additional precautions? It depends. Our staff writer Katherine J. Wu recommends checking local virus conditions like the weather every day.
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Have questions about the virus or this pandemic moment? Ask us.
Tonight’s Atlantic-approved activity:
Revisit an old comfort movie, even if it makes you a little uncomfortable.
Free Solo, the documentary about the climber Alex Honnold’s ropeless ascent of a 3,000-foot wall in Yosemite, is a “transfixing rewatch.” Find it on Hulu.
A break from the news:
Don’t read on the beach. Savor your time in the sand instead.
Every weekday evening, our editors guide you through the biggest stories of the day, help you discover new ideas, and surprise you with moments of delight. Subscribe to get this delivered to your inbox.