New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's statewide PAUSE order has expired, and four upstate regions have begun a phased reopening process. But for most residents in the New York City area that's cold comfort. Still, city health officials are beginning to look ahead to when and how the city will reopen safely.

Raul Perea-Henze is New York City's deputy mayor of health and human services. In a conversation with WNYC's Jami Floyd, he defended a controversial decision to remove the city's long-standing contact-tracing program from the purview of the Department of Health and Mental Hygeine, saying they have had to break from tradition many times during the course of the outbreak in order to act faster.

"It's not about who controls where do you sit. It's about how do we get our efforts together to save more lives," Perea-Henze said.

For the full conversation, click "Listen."