Since President Donald Trump declared a national emergency 59 days ago, the nation has been seeking guidance and support both from the commander in chief and medical experts in the fight against COVID-19. Along with calling on Trump and health experts such as Dr. Anthony Fauci, many have leaned on their governors, with New York’s Andrew Cuomo being arguably the most visible. Like Fauci, who serves as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Cuomo has become a merchandise sensation, with Etsy being a hub for items touting his efforts.
CUOMO MERCHANDISE FLOODS ETSY… https://t.co/Ufn2AnqdeU pic.twitter.com/KVX7iN8Fpr
— EMPIRE REPORT (@EMPIREREPORTNY) May 9, 2020
When we looked at Fauci-centric items last month, we declared the physician “an unlikely branded merchandise star.” That’s because, and with all due respect to him, had a pandemic not devastated our collective identity, few people would have known who he is. Cuomo, however, has been in the public eye for years, and especially since Jan. 1, 2011, when he became New York’s 56th governor.
Owing to his daily briefings and constituents’ hopes that the Empire State can soon emerge from the grips of the pandemic, the 62-year-old has won over many people, and his popularity has bred macro-moments, if you will, for the promo industry. Etsy, which has come under fire for its inclusion of coronavirus-themed novelties, abounds in Cuomo items, with the selection including staples such as socks, mugs and T-shirts. There are even goods that tout him and Fauci as a presidential ticket for those who believe their recent input on health and civics matters could benefit the country on a grander scale.
An Etsy representative confirmed to @GMA that a Cuomo merchandise search currently yields 3,000 items on the company's digital shopping platform. More here: https://t.co/2p2CPEozpe
— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 10, 2020
With respect to the items, particularly ones that make mention of the term “Cuomosexual,” it’s clear that the politician has garnered the trust of a large base. Given that people are searching for hope each day, one should not find it surprising that someone whose face has proven a media constant since mid-March has become a merch inspiration.
As Cuomo (like fellow elected officials will be yearning to do in their respective states) starts to provide more positive news to New York’s residents, we’ll likely see even more items that praise his handling of the crisis. While one wonders what life might look like in the Big Apple this summer and what the overall public’s reaction to the politician’s decisions will be, those who are seeking to commend Cuomo will, thanks to Etsy, have no shortage of means to make their infatuation with him evident.
