The Cuomo Family Opens Up About Its Coronavirus Struggle

Perhaps unexpectedly, the coronavirus has pushed many celebrities into the spotlight for one reason or another. Whether celebs like Idris Elba and Tom Hanks, who gained the sympathy of fans after announcing they tested positive, or others like Vanessa Hudgens, who was criticized for being insensitive during the pandemic, and Kylie Jenner, who was mocked by social media users for being out of touch with the everyday ailments of the general public who aren't as fortunate as her, there's a range of famous people making headlines these days. 

But out of the crisis have arisen two even more unexpected stars — the Cuomo brothers. While Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, and Chris Cuomo, a CNN news talk show host, have been in the public eye for years, they gained notoriety together after a video of their televised casual, brotherly banter went viral in mid-March 2020. At 62 and 49 years old respectively, the two brothers (painfully accurately) argue over which sibling their mother loves most. 

Since then, Andrew has gained much of the public's trust for his handling of the coronavirus in New York state, where the pandemic has hit hard. In fact, his approval ratings have never been higher. But his brother, Chris, has gained the spotlight for another reason: He contracted the virus himself. And as happens with the disease, we are finding out now that it has spread quickly to his family, including his son, Mario.

Just days after Chris Cuomo emerged from his three-week coronavirus quarantine, the CNN host and his wife, Cristina Greeven Cuomo, announced their son Mario has the virus, too. In conversation with his brother New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, Chris provided an update on Mario's condition during April 22's installment of Cuomo Prime Time.

"The virus worked through the family. It was me and Cristina, and now Mario has the same symptoms she had, and he's got the coronavirus," Chris explained (via Entertainment Tonight). "It's working it's way through, but they're doing fine. Thank you for your concern, Andrew. Thanks for caring about my family, and about me, and thank you for fighting for the people of your state."

"He's going to be okay," the governor assured his younger brother.

Cristina, whose online magazine The Purist focuses on health and wellness topics, revealed she's determined to help her son recover by applying the lessons she's learned during her own battle with COVID-19. "I'm applying a modified version of my remedies for his protocol with a focus on lots of vitamins," she posted on Instagram. "Since his sense of smell and taste have disappeared, I am feeding him healthy foods that I normally can't get him to touch. I kept a diary of the past week including my remedies and things that I did to stay sane through it all." It sounds like Mario is in good hands, and we wish the whole family a full recovery.