Coronavirus: New York police union calls city health commissioner ‘b***h’ over face mask row

Dr. Barbot allegedly dismissed NYPD pleas for 500,000 masks in March, as coronavirus spread among officers

A New York police union has called the city’s health commissioner “a b***h” after revelations that she denied pleas for more police masks in March, at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

The New York police sergeants union (SBA) said on Wednesday that health commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot was a “b***h” because she told NYPD officials two months ago that she did not give “two rats’ asses” about cops getting more protection equipment.

“Truth is this b***h has blood on her hands but why should anyone be surprised the NYPD has suffered under DeBlasio since he became mayor,” the Sergeants Benevolent Association tweeted after Dr. Barbot’s comments were published on Wednesday.

The New York Post revealed that, according to sources, Dr. Barbot had said “I don’t give two rats’ asses about your cops”, during a phone conversation in mid-March with an NYPD department chief, Terence Monahan.

Mr Monahan said during the call that 500,000 masks were needed to protect NYPD officers, but was dismissed by Ms Barbot who added that she “needed them for others”, said The Post.

Instead, Mr Monahan was allegedly told that 50,000 masks could be provided to the NYPD.

There are now almost 5,500 confirmed cases of the coronavirus among the NYPD’s 55,000 officers and civilian workers, alongside 41 deaths, according to the latest statistics.

A health department spokesman, Patrick Gallahue, later confirmed to The Post that there had been a “heated exchange between the two where things were said out of frustration, but no harm was wished on anyone”.

Dr. Barbot had also “apologised for her contribution to the exchange”, Mr Gallahue said.

SBA president Edward Mullins said in a statement on Wednesday night that mayor Bill de Blasio and his office had shown disdain for law enforcement.

“Dr Barbot’s comments make it clear she has no personal or professional regard for the police,” the union said in the statement.

“The primary concern of a medical professional in such an important position should be the safety of all people,” continued the statement. “Her attitude places police officers in great jeopardy and makes her unfit for the job.”

According to The Post, City Hall arranged for the NYPD to get 250,000 surgical masks after it issued an appeal in the aftermath of Dr. Barbot’s comments

The NYPD has been contacted by The Independent for comment.