NY governor Andrew Cuomo’s bizarre COVID-19 poster is not a parody

No, this poster is very much real. 

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo released this poster as a pat on the back for New York’s pandemic response. Drawn in the style of 19th-century political art, the poster tracks the “111 Days of Hell” — a phrase coined by Cuomo during one of his infamous press conferences — in a bizarre fever dream. 

We’ve all gotten a bit strange in quarantine, but few can match Cuomo’s energy. From unveiling a foam mountain meant to represent New York’s efforts to “flatten the curve” to accidentally praising the state in an unfortunate sex-positive acronym, Cuomo’s led the way through this pandemic with constant viral fodder. Much like the depicted curve peaking at a rainbow, this poster may be the peak of Cuomo’s tenure in office. 

“NEW YORK TOUGH,” the poster reads. “SMART, UNITED, DISCIPLINED, LOVING.” 

Other highlights include the “Winds of Fear” and “Subway Disinfectant.” 

Twitter users were especially confused by the “Boyfriend Cliff,” which depicts a young man dangling from the side of the mountain by one hand. Some speculated that it represented Cuomo’s daughter’s boyfriend.

But after celebrity chef and internet personality Chrissy Teigen questioned the “Boyfriend Cliff,” Cuomo assured Twitter users that “We do like the boyfriend.” 

“All boyfriends face a steep climb,” he added.

The poster also depicts a dig at Trump, who appears to be perching on a crescent moon next to the words “It’s Just A Flu.” The president was criticized for inappropriately comparing the coronavirus to influenza, despite predictions that the coronavirus is far more deadly. 

But for the most part, people were incredulous that this piece of art exists. 

It isn’t the first time Cuomo has been inspired by antique political art. His office commissioned an inexplicably nautical-themed poster in January to celebrate…himself. Highlights included the octopus of intolerance and “The Squalls of Hate.” 

Rusty Zimmerman, who painted the early poster, clarified that he was not commissioned to paint the Boyfriend Cliff. 

But why does Cuomo keep commissioning mythological posters of himself? What’s with this thing for 19th century art? What, exactly, is a Boyfriend Cliff?

The world may never know, but at least we do know that we are supposed to like the Boyfriend.