The COVID Data That New York State Makes Hard To Find -- Or Won't Release

This week, the Associated Press reported that New York's COVID-19 death tally is lower than the federal government’s count. The New York State Department of Health says the pandemic has killed 43,000 New Yorkers, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts the number closer to 54,000. 

This is only the tip of the Cuomo administration's lack of full transparency around health data, according to Bill Hammond, the Empire Center’s senior fellow for health policy. His groups has filed 62 Freedom of Information Law requests for state COVID data. 

"Our hope is to understand, as well as possible, why the pandemic became so severe in New York -- almost uniquely severe, compared to other states, even other countries," Hammond said, "so that we can do a better job next time and hopefully protect New Yorkers from getting sick and dying."  

He spoke with WNYC host Michael Hill about what else the state isn't disclosing, despite the data being funded by taxpayer dollars. Click "Listen" in the player.