New York to construct monument honoring service, sacrifice of essential workers throughout pandemic Hannah McKay/AP In this Thursday, May 14, 2020 photo, a junior doctor holds his stethoscope. (Hannah McKay/Pool Photo via AP) and last updated 2021-04-06 15:05:48-04 ALBANY, N.Y. (WKBW) â New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday a monument will be constructed to honor the service and sacrifice of essential workers across the state throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. "There can be no way to ever fully repay the essential workers who aided in our recovery from this devastating, once-in-a-century pandemic," Governor Cuomo said. "These true heroes continue to aid and inspire us and they have our utmost respect. To honor them, we want them to create a monument to stand for all time as New York emerges tougher and stronger than ever."