Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) announced during a press conference on Monday, March 9, that New York is producing a supply of hand sanitizer amidst the widespread hand sanitizer shortage due to the coronavirus.
In a tweet, Cuomo stated, “We’re hearing from local governments that acquiring hand sanitizer has been a real problem. NYS will immediately begin producing hand sanitizer ourselves—100,000 gallons per week.”
According to Cuomo, the product is called New York State Clean hand sanitizer, or NYS Clean for short. During the press conference, after a brief introduction to a solution to the hand sanitizer shortage problem, he introduced the product from behind black curtains.
“We are introducing New York State Clean hand sanitizer, made conveniently by the State of New York,” said Cuomo. According to the New York governor, the product is even better than what is currently on the market, as he called it a superior product. Cuomo cited that NYS Clean features even higher alcohol content than popular brand hand sanitizers such as Purell. Typically, most hand sanitizers feature 60 percent alcohol content, whereas NYS Clean features 75 percent alcohol content, Cuomo stated. Purell currently features a 70 percent alcohol content.
Cuomo also stated the NYS Clean has an added benefit of smelling like a floral bouquet.
Currently, the product is being produced by Corcraft, a New York State company that produces products like glass and floor cleaners, degreasers, laundry detergent, vehicle fluids, and hand cleaners, according to Cuomo. Now, the company is also producing hand sanitizers. Cuomo stated that the product will cost $6 to produce (per gallon), and will be manufactured at the Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Washington County, according to Business Insider. CNN reported that the company uses inmates throughout New York for low-cost labor.
Cuomo said that the new product would be distributed to New Rochelle, which in his words, is a “significant hotspot.”
Cuomo also announced that NYS Clean would be providing it to government agencies, schools, the MTA, prisons, and other facilities, according to the tweet.
Furthermore, this new hand sanitizer is also an attempt to counter the growing pricing issue for hand sanitizers currently on the market. The prices of those products have increased due to price gouging, according to the New York governor. He called this situation an “egregious issue,” according to Business Insider.
“To Purell and Mr. Amazon and Mr. eBay, if you continue the price gouging, we will introduce our product, which is superior to your product, and you don’t even have the floral bouquet. So stop price gouging,” Cuomo stated during his press conference.
Experts recommend frequently washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, regularly cleaning surfaces and objects, and not touching one’s face with unwashed hands.
People who become ill should stay at home and contact their doctor or health authorities. Depending on their symptoms, they may be asked to stay isolated at home. If symptoms are severe or, in some other cases, patients will be quarantined at hospitals.
Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.