COVID-19 has greatly affected our daily lives and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. New York State has implemented important measures, including the PAUSE initiative, to help stop the spread and save lives – and these measures are working. From staying home, to social distancing, to supporting our essential workers, together we've helped #flattenthecurve.

New York Forward – a plan for carefully reopening the state – has begun. Each region is able to start Phase 1 of reopening once it meets certain criteria that were designed to ease social isolation and cautiously get people back to work while still protecting public health and the health care system.

As parts of the state reopen, it's important to remember that the threat of coronavirus still exists and that we are all still at risk. We must remain vigilant and continue to take the necessary precautions to protect ourselves and others, like maintaining social distance, wearing face coverings, staying home if you're sick and getting testing if you qualify. These measures not only help keep you safe, but also ensure the state can successfully reopen and our essential workers can keep doing their jobs effectively. Together, we've made great strides, but it's not over. Be responsible. Be smart. Be safe.