The Heartbreaking Journey of Janice Dean: A Fight for Accountability in the Wake of COVID-19
In the midst of a global pandemic, the loss of loved ones can be an unbearable burden, especially when those losses are compounded by feelings of neglect and injustice.
Janice Dean, a meteorologist for Fox News, has become a poignant voice for families who lost relatives in nursing homes during the COVID-19 crisis. Her story is not just one of personal grief; it is a call for accountability from those in power who failed to protect the most vulnerable among us.
Janice’s heartache began when she lost her in-laws, both of whom were residents in a New York nursing home, to COVID-19. The pain of their loss was exacerbated by the sight of public figures, particularly former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and his brother Chris Cuomo, joking and laughing on national television.
For Janice, this was not just a moment of insensitivity; it was a stark reminder of the failures in leadership that contributed to the deaths of thousands in nursing homes across the state.
In a powerful op-ed, Janice expressed her outrage, stating, “Had they both done the job they were hired to do, this day would never have come.” Her words resonate with many who feel that the Cuomos prioritized their public image and personal interests over the lives of vulnerable citizens.
The “Cuomo Brothers’ Comedy Hour,” as Janice referred to it, became a symbol of the disconnect between those in power and the families suffering from their decisions.
The situation in New York nursing homes was dire. Early in the pandemic, Governor Cuomo mandated that nursing homes accept COVID-positive patients, a decision that many believe led to unnecessary deaths. As Janice pointed out, while the Cuomos were busy with their media appearances, bodies were piling up outside nursing homes.
This stark contrast between their public persona and the reality faced by families like Janice’s fueled her determination to speak out.
Despite the immense grief she felt, Janice found the strength to advocate for accountability. She questioned why COVID-positive patients were placed in nursing homes and why the administration covered up the true number of deaths. Her inquiries were not just personal; they were a reflection of a broader demand for transparency and justice for all families affected by these policies.
As investigations into the Cuomo administration’s handling of the pandemic continue, Janice remains hopeful that justice will be served. She acknowledges the role of New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose investigation revealed the extent of the cover-up regarding nursing home deaths. Janice credits James with bringing the truth to light, stating, “If it was not for her, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.”
The emotional toll of this fight has been significant for Janice and her family. The holidays, once a time of joy, have become a painful reminder of their loss. Janice’s husband, Sean, grapples with the absence of his parents, and the couple has had to navigate their grief while seeking accountability from those responsible for their loved ones’ deaths.
Janice’s advocacy extends beyond her personal story; it is a rallying cry for families across the nation who have faced similar tragedies. She emphasizes the need for answers: “We can never bring them back. We can ask for accountability and answers.” Her determination to seek justice is a testament to the resilience of those who have suffered loss and the importance of holding leaders accountable for their actions.
As the investigations unfold, Janice Dean’s voice continues to resonate. She represents not just her own grief but the collective pain of families who have lost loved ones due to negligence and mismanagement. Her story is a reminder that in times of crisis, the most vulnerable must be protected, and those in power must be held accountable for their decisions.
In a world where laughter and levity can sometimes overshadow the harsh realities of life, Janice Dean stands as a beacon of truth and justice. Her journey is a powerful reminder that the fight for accountability is not just about numbers and statistics; it is about the lives behind those numbers and the families left to pick up the pieces. As she continues to share her story, Janice inspires others to speak out and demand the justice that every family deserves.
Janice Dean speaks out amid reports Team Cuomo secretly plotted to discredit her: ‘This won’t stop my mission’
Chris Cuomo allegedly referred to Dean as ‘this Fox weather b—-‘ to the governor’s staff
FOX Weather Senior Meteorologist, Janice Dean on continuing to find answers after her mom and dad in-laws died in New York nursing homes and the Cuomo brothers finally receiving justice for their actions
Fox News’ senior meteorologist Janice Dean is speaking out amid reports that top allies of now-ousted Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo plotted to discredit her behind the scenes for becoming a vocal critic of the nursing home scandal.
“The story for me has always been about trying to find answers and accountability as to what happened in New York nursing homes in the spring of 2020 and why Cuomo and his administration tried to cover it up,” Dean tweeted on Sunday. “It’s a shame that many tried to dig up information to try and demean me through my profession (‘weather girl’) where I work (Fox News) and who I voted for. Sadly, it wasn’t just the Cuomo team, but blue checks and reporters scouring through tweets and articles I’ve written in the past to support their own beliefs and a political narrative.”
“This won’t stop my mission on behalf of thousands of families, but it has opened my eyes to how the powerful will do anything to protect themselves, those around them, and to what lengths they will go to silence the people who question their motivations and deadly decisions,” Dean added.
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Dean also commemorated the heavenly birthday of Dolores Newman, her mother-in-law who would have turned 80 years old Sunday but died in April 2020 from COVID while in a nursing home.
Newman’s husband, Dean’s father-in-law Michael Newman, passed away just days prior after having also contracted the virus in a nursing home. He was 83 years old.
Following the deaths of both her in-laws, Dean began speaking out on then-Gov. Cuomo’s controversial policy ordering assisted-living facilities to accept COVID-positive patients in the early weeks of the pandemic.
However, the New York Post reported Friday that recently-fired CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, brother of Andrew Cuomo, was in close contact with the governor’s office and expressed his desire to target the Fox News star, according to a source.
“The source said Chris allegedly asked in a text to an Andrew Cuomo staffer how he could go after ‘this Fox weather b—-……Any help painting her as a far right crazy?’” the Post wrote.
The Post also alleged that it was “believed he participated in calls with the governor’s staff, including Melissa DeRosa, about how to hit back at Dean by focusing on her political leanings.”
Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for Andrew Cuomo, told the Post, “I have no knowledge of this ever happening, and you must ask, why then did the attorney general not put anything about it in her report or ask any of the relevant people about it?”

(Getty Images/CNN/Getty Images)
Another report from CNBC alleged DeRosa, a top Cuomo aide, “ripped Dean behind the scenes and sought to craft a public messaging strategy that would paint the Fox News personality as merely a right-wing commentator” and also cited Chris Cuomo’s involvement in discussions about Dean.
Fox News has reached out to Chris Cuomo’s spokesperson for comment.
Dean, who has long said she never identified as being a political person prior to the nursing home scandal, was encouraged to speak out amid the media’s glowing coverage of the New York governor and saw very little scrutiny toward the brewing controversy.
It wasn’t until Chris Cuomo invited his brother on-air in May 2020 to perform prop comedy with giant cotton swabs that motivated her to come forward and shine a light on the governor’s deadly policy.

CNN’s Chris Cuomo performed prop comedy with his brother New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo during a widely panned segment in 2020. (CNN)
Chris Cuomo was fired by CNN after a new sexual misconduct allegation emerged against the anchor over alleged behavior that took place at another network, which he denied. This followed Cuomo’s first accuser, veteran TV producer Shelley Ross, who came forward in September and claimed he grabbed her buttock at a 2005 work function while the two of them worked at ABC News.
Cuomo had already been suspended following the damning revelations that emerged from the New York Attorney General’s investigation into his brother, revealing that the anchor was far more involved with the governor’s office than previously known.
Documents showed that Cuomo relied on his own media sources to find information about his brother’s accusers.