Arbeeny’s Seek Accountability from Cuomo Over COVID-19 Nursing Home Tragedy

In a poignant narrative, the New York Times highlights the Arbeeny family’s unwavering quest for accountability following the death of their patriarch, Norman Arbeeny, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Norman, an 89-year-old Korean War veteran, succumbed to the virus shortly after a stay at the Cobble Hill Health Center in Brooklyn.

Peter and Daniel Arbeeny have transformed their personal grief into public advocacy, organizing rallies and symbolic events like mock funerals to protest former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s March 25, 2020, directive. This policy mandated nursing homes to admit COVID-19 patients, a decision many believe contributed to the high death toll among the elderly.

Despite legal setbacks, including the dismissal of a class-action lawsuit on jurisdictional grounds, the Arbeenys persist in their efforts. They have invested significant time and resources into gathering data, filing information requests, and engaging with political figures to shed light on the issue. Their activism has gained renewed attention amid Cuomo’s 2025 mayoral campaign, with calls for him to personally acknowledge and apologize for the consequences of his administration’s policies.

The family’s story underscores the enduring impact of the pandemic on affected families and the importance of transparency and accountability in public health decisions.

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