Denis Slattery is reporting for the New York Daily News a Marist poll released Tue., Feb. 23, found a majority of New Yorkers believe Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo bungled the handling of nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, but most do not believe he did anything illegal. The survey found that 61 percent of state residents believe the three-term governor did something wrong in managing elder care facilities over the past year, while 39 percent said he did not. Separately, the poll found 41 percent feel the governor may have acted unethically while another 19 percent believe he did something illegal and 27 percent said he did nothing wrong. Cuomo's job performance approval is now at 49 percent, down from 66 percent in July, largely due to mounting criticism and accusations of a coverup over the state’s counting of nursing home deaths and the stonewalling of requests for an accurate tally from lawmakers, reporters and watchdog groups. A separate poll released Monday measured the governor’s job approval at 57 percent, down 6 points from January. Marist College pollster Lee Miringoff said, “Should Cuomo decide to seek a fourth term, these results suggest it will be a challenge. That said, his current numbers are comparable to what they were when he faced the voters last time.” In a statement, Cuomo senior adviser Rich Azzopardi said the administration remains focused on managing the COVID crisis, administering as many vaccines as possible, and "safely and smartly reopening our state for all New Yorkers.” Read the full story in the New York Daily News.