Fox News host Dana Perino had a few questions for CNN’s Chris Cuomo after reports circulated that he had been given preferential access to coronavirus testing.
His brother Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo arranged for special access to testing — which, at the time, was hard to come by — and expedited results for his own family members and a few others, according to The Washington Post.
They were known as “specials” or “VIPs.” Last year, Gov. Cuomo arranged for his family (including CNN host & brother Chris Cuomo) to get home visits from NY health staffers who administered scarce covid-19 tests and rushed them to lab via state troopers. https://t.co/BY4HgawHx8
— Amy Brittain (@AmyJBrittain) March 24, 2021
CNN released a statement saying that when Chris Cuomo began feeling symptoms, out of concern that he might spread the virus, he had “turned to anyone he could for advice and assistance, as any human being would.”
Statement from @CNN spokesman Matt Dornic on reports that @ChrisCuomo got special coronavirus testing treatment from NYS officials. pic.twitter.com/4h7fe0Eb6m
— ErikWemple (@ErikWemple) March 25, 2021
Perino addressed the issue on “America’s Newsroom,” arguing that Cuomo’s behavior did not necessarily reflect that concern. (RELATED: Chris Cuomo Plays Dramatic Clip Leaving Basement After Quarantine, But The CNN Anchor Already Admitted He Left Quarantine On Easter)
WATCH:
Carley Shimkus reported the story, noting that the CNN statement appeared to her to be an admission that Chris Cuomo may have received special treatment.
“So the governor’s office is saying they were doing normal COVID-19 testing protocol but the CNN statement sounds like they are admitting this was a favor,” Shimkus said.
“Exactly,” Perino replied. “The other thing is if Chris Cuomo was so concerned about [COVID-19], why did he then break quarantine and fake his reemergence from the basement?”
Cuomo was widely criticized for breaking quarantine and then filming his dramatic return from the basement for an episode of “Cuomo Primetime.”