De Blasio: NY COVID passport must respect privacy

 

New York City's mayor supports the state's digital vaccination passport app and thinks it could be "an important part of our recovery."

"We've got to respect people's privacy," Bill de Blasio said at his daily press briefing Tuesday.

"There's definitely more to be worked through, but I think they'll be part of the solution," de Blasio said.

State officials have launched a digital pass New Yorkers can download to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

The Excelsior Pass will be accepted at major entertainment venues like Madison Square Garden and Albany's Times Union Center.

"I think we're still in the phase now where our most foundational concerns are getting people vaccinated and making sure people stick to the smart guidance that keeps them safe and really reinforcing that and acting on that. But look, I see the passport approach as another tool," the mayor said.

The app is similar to a mobile airline boarding pass and uses a secure QR code that can be stored in a smartphone or printed out. Officials said the technology doesn't store or track private health data within the app.

At the briefing, the city's health commissioner stressed that being fully vaccinated means "you're either 14 days after your second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or 14 days after your J&J vaccine."

"It's not the case that you're considered vaccinated or protected just a few days after getting the first dose of any of the vaccines," Dr. Dave Chokshi said.

The mayor also commented on the revelation about New York Governor Andrew Cuomo relating to a book deal.

The New York Times reported Cuomo used top aides and junior staffers for help on his book project; a state ethics agency, according to documents provided to The Buffalo News, specifically told Cuomo he could not use state "personnel" or property "for activities associated with the book."

"The governor wanted to personally profit and politically profit from his book deal. He covered up the truth about the nursing home scandal and his team covered up the truth to benefit himself financially and politically. That's what we're seeing," de Blasio

said.

"He inappropriately used government staff to further his own personal aims. I mean, there's some great detail there. This requires a full investigation," de Blasio said.