New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo drew the ire of conservatives Wednesday after he appeared to downplay the seriousness of financial hardships and a spike in incidents of domestic violence in his state since the government’s “shelter-in-place” order went into effect on March 20.

“Economic hardship — yes, very bad — not death. Emotional stress, from being locked in a house — very bad, not death. Domestic violence on the increase? Very bad, not death. And the death of someone else,” Cuomo callously stated. “See, that’s what we have to factor into this equation. Yea, it’s your life, do whatever you want, but you’re now responsible for my life, you have a responsibility to me. It’s not just about you, you have a responsibility to me, right?”

The Governor’s comments occurred during a contentious exchange with WRGB reporter Anne McCloy in which a combative Cuomo said protesters calling for the state to reopen the economy to alleviate financial hardship could easily “take the job as an essential worker” and to “do it tomorrow.”

McCloy told the Governor that she had spoken with demonstrators prior to the Governor’s daily press conference who told her they can’t wait for widespread coronavirus testing and want to return to work so they can have an income and feed their families.

“By the way, if you want to go to work, go take the job as an essential worker. Do it tomorrow,” Cuomo said.

“But the people aren’t hiring because of the pandemic,” McCloy responded.

“No, there are people hiring,” Cuomo said. “You can get a job as an essential worker, so now you can go to work and you can be an essential worker and you’re not going to kill anyone.”

Here’s the full exchange between Gov. Cuomo and WRGB reporter Anne McCloy:

In extended Q&A, Gov. Cuomo says he understands economic hardship of those out of a job, but warns recklessly returning to work could endanger others' lives. "By the way—you want to go to work? Go take a job as an essential worker. Do it tomorrow."https://t.co/Zv6MGE4GDW pic.twitter.com/EKnYBDk4dp — ABC News (@ABC) April 22, 2020

WIBC host Tony Katz responds to Governor Cuomo’s disgusting comments in the clip below.

https://omny.fm/shows/tony-katz-and-the-morning-news/popcorn-moment-gov-cuomo-tells-people-who-are-runn