Most of New York’s counties are reporting enough community transmission to call for universal indoor masking, as far as federal guidance is concerned. Medical centers are steadily admitting more patients across all age groups. State numbers show 1,300 New York residents are hospitalized—the highest tally since May. And after a strong start earlier this year, the state’s vaccine rollout has stagnated—with full vaccination coverage plateauing under 60%.

Those are just a few of the COVID issues on Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul’s plate when she takes over the governorship on August 24th. Her predecessor—Governor Andrew Cuomo—announced Tuesday that he was stepping down a week after the state attorney general's investigation found that he had sexually harassed 11 women.

New York City Councilmember Mark Levine, who chairs the council's health committee, sees an opportunity to hit the reset button on New York's COVID response. He joined WNYC's Sean Carlson to discuss the top priorities for Lt. Gov. Hochul and how Cuomo's COVID response will be remembered. 

Click listen in the player to hear the conversation, and for more on the story, head to Gothamist.