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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday found a way to sanitize his problems.
The Democrat spent part of his news conference peddling New York State-branded hand sanitizer, boosting he invented the floral-scented product and joking with female reporters that the government germ-killer is better than anything on the commercial market.
"How remarkable was this product," Cuomo gushed with one local reporter in New York who had admitted she's tried the sanitizer. "Maybe I didn't invent Google, but I did invent New York State Clean hand sanitizer."
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The reporter laughed and agreed with the governor.
"Put that in my eulogy," Cuomo quipped.
Gov. Cuomo touting New York State hand sanitizer at his new conference on Friday, April 16, 2021.
Cuomo was upbeat and jovial Friday at an event in Buffalo where he signed new legislation to increase broadband access to low-income New Yorkers. During a Zoom session with reporters after the bill-signing, Cuomo faced no questions about the nursing home death scandal and sexual misconduct allegations dogging the governor.
The hand-picked questions came from local reporters who asked about access to the new broadband program and coronavirus restrictions. Cuomo used the opportunity with seemingly non-hostile media to press two female reporters on whether they have NYS Clean hand sanitizer, as he held up his bottle for the camera.
When one reporter said she already had plenty of other sanitizers, Cuomo insisted she needed his version because it's much "better." He then went on to tick off three reasons why.
"Number one, my hand sanitizer has a higher percentage of alcohol than most other hand sanitizers," said Cuomo, who has refused to resign from office. "And the key ingredient for the effectiveness of the hand sanitizer is the percentage of alcohol.
"Second, my hand sanitizer has a special scent that also clears the sinus passages, so you're not only sanitizing your hands you're also clearing your sinus passages at the same time," Cuomo continued with the light-hearted banter. "Third, mine is free."
Gov. Cuomo touting New York State hand sanitizer at his new conference.
The reporter went on to ask Cuomo about the broadband program and gun violence in New York, but the governor, who has seemed convinced he can ride out his scandals, then found a way to pivot back to his favorite prop.
"I'm going to bring you the purse size New York State Clean [santizer]," Cuomo told the reporter. "... I want you to have this."
NEW YORK INTRODUCES PRISONER-MADE HAND SANITIZER TO FIGHT CORONAVIRUS
Cuomo announced the creation of the hand sanitizer last March at the start of the coronavirus pandemic that would be made by New York prison inmates who reportedly work for less than 65 cents an hour.
The 75% Isopropyl alcohol-based formula started being made by prisoners at the Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Washington County last March and then expanded to the Shawangunk Correctional Facility in Ulster County and Albion Correctional Facility in Orleans County.
The germ-killer production line started as a way to fight price gouging and sanitizer supply issues. The inmate-produced "NYS Clean Hand Sanitizer" was to be free to New York residents and issued to state and local government agencies and prisons.
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It has a "floral bouquet," Cuomo boasted at the time.
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