As New York City once became the epicenter of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, Democrat and New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio’s appointed health commissioner blasted the NYPD’s urgent request for more masks, claiming “I don’t give two rats’ asses about your cops.”

According to a report from the New York Post, the NY Health commissioner, Dr. Oxiris Barbot, allegedly told NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan, “I don’t give two rats’ asses about your cops. I need them for others.” At that time, the NYPD chief was asking 500,000 surgical masks, to protect his officers; however, Barbot can only provide as much as 50,000.

Unfortunately, Barbot’s comments have deadly repercussions. At the end of March, Detective Cedric Dixon, 48, became the first coronavirus related death in the NYPD. He had worked at the 32nd Precinct in Harlem.

Since then, the commissioner, who was appointed by NY city Mayor Bill De Blasio received massive backlash for her insensitive comments.

The president of the Police Benevolent Association, Patrick Lynch, spoke out against the incident, claiming that the commissioner should look at every police family in the eye, “and tell them they aren’t worth a rat’s ass.” Moreover, the president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, Ed Mullins, implied that Barbot should be asked to resign, claiming that her comments were “despicable” and should “not be tolerated’.

However, Mullins claimed that the Commissioner’s action came as no surprise. “I am not surprised by such vile words coming from an appointee of Mayor de Blasio, whose disdain for law enforcement is legendary,” Mullins added. The Sergeant believed that Barbot’s comments were proof that she was unfit for the job, given her low regard for the police. Mullins concluded that as a doctor, Barbot should consider the health and safety of all NY residents, including police officers who are working at the front lines.

The Post continued that after Barbot’s harsh comments were revealed, the police officers discovered that the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene had stashed large quantities of masks, ventilators, and other medical equipment inside a New Jersey warehouse. Upon the discovery, the NYPD appealed to the New York City Hall, who had arranged to provide additional 250,000 surgical masks.

In addition, the city issued a formal statement regarding the issue. According to the Department of Health press secretary, Patrick Gallahue, there was a heated exchange between Barbot and Terrence, and that the doctor eventually apologized for her comments.

Last week, Barbot had been noticeably missing from the Mayor’s daily coronavirus briefing, in which De Blasio announced that the public hospital system would take over the commissioner’s testing and tracing programs.

Previously, even President Donald Trump raised his concerns on whether New York hospitals are having “back door” negotiations or even worse, “hoarding” N95 masks as the city’s demand for masks rapidly increased.