Actions

Gift of the Mask: Cuomo lauds retired farmer's gesture

Darren McGee/AP

In this April 24, 2020 photo provided by the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Gov. Cuomo addresses the media while holding an n95 mask during his daily press briefing on COVID-19, Coronavirus, at the State Capitol in Albany, N.Y. The mask was sent to the governor by a retired farmer from Kansas whose wife only has one lung. He asked that the governor give it to a doctor or a nurse. At left is Dr. Howard Zucker, Commissioner of New York State Department of Health. (Darren McGee/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo via AP)

By: The Associated Press

Posted

and last updated

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A retired farmer in Kansas whose wife has one lung shipped one of the couple's five N-95 masks to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo for use by a doctor or a nurse.

Cuomo read the entire letter at his daily briefing as an example of courage and generosity in dark times.

Cuomo's eyes misted as he brandished the mask at his daily briefing.

Dennis Ruhnke said he was surprised at the public attention.

Weather

Enter zip code to change location

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Monday

04/13/2026

AM Rain

64° / 48°

61%

Tuesday

04/14/2026

Sunny

74° / 49°

Wednesday

04/15/2026

Partly Cloudy

76° / 50°

Thursday

04/16/2026

Partly Cloudy

76° / 47°

Friday

04/17/2026

Sunny

78° / 50°

Saturday

04/18/2026

Partly Cloudy

85° / 55°

Sunday

04/19/2026

Mostly Sunny

88° / 55°

Monday

04/20/2026

Partly Cloudy

79° / 54°

13%