“It’s price-gouging, but we need them,” Mr. Cuomo said.

Gov. Cuomo (NY) was referring to the much higher than pre-crisis prices he chose to pay to get an urgently needed supply of N-95 masks needed for doctors and nurses in New York, which has become Ground Zero for the coronavirus epidemic.

It looks like Gov. Cuomo (NY) must have read our article, “Anti-Gouging Laws Can Kill.”

Now, Gov. Cuomo, “LET’S REPEAL THE ANTI-PRICE GOUGING LAWS!” 

Longer excerpt from the New York times article:

“There have been scattered signs of progress at addressing the mask shortage. At a news conference on Saturday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York said the state was purchasing 2 million N-95 masks from American and foreign companies. He said the state was paying a rich price for the coveted masks: $4 apiece for products that normally go for 80 cents.

“It’s price-gouging, but we need them,” Mr. Cuomo said. “And most of these are coming from overseas.”

It is a back-handed “endorsement” of market principles from the governor of New York, but we will take it.

Sign the petition.