On Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of people swarmed the streets surrounding the Capitol for what they're calling "Operation Gridlock," to protest the continued closures across New York, saying they want to get back to work. But local and state officials say they need to see the bigger picture.

“These idiots that are gonna come out and protest,” said Albany County Executive Dan McCoy. “Look, we don't want to shut you down and no one wants to keep you home. It's not a good decision when you sit here and make these decisions to how do you open up, but, do you need more body bags? Is that what you need to see? More death?”

McCoy says his office is working with the state to get things back on track, as the number of coronavirus deaths statewide has slowed. County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen says she understands there is a certain population of people who don't trust science, and they are trying to influence others who may be on the fence.

“What I would say to those that may be swayed because they feel that way, is please consider the science,” said Whalen.

Amid the protests Wednesday afternoon, Governor Andrew Cuomo faced similar questions inside the Capitol, including one about protesters arguing a cure could be worse than the virus.

“You said they said the cure is worse than the illness: The illness is death,” Cuomo said. “How can the cure be worse than the illness if the illness is potential death?”

Cuomo says other complaints by protesters should be outweighed by the idea they're potentially endangering others.

“Economic hardship, yes, bad. Not death. Emotional stress from being inside? Bad, not death. Domestic violence on the increase? Very bad; not death, and not the death of someone else. That's what we have to factor into this equation,” Cuomo said.”Yeah, it's your life, do whatever you want, but you're now responsible for my life. You have a responsibility to me. It's not just about you.”

And for those who say they want to get back to work? Cuomo has one message.

“You want to go back to work? Take a job as an essential worker. Do it tomorrow,” Cuomo said.

Spectrum News reached out to the organizer of "Operation Gridlock," David Stonge, via Facebook to get his perspective, but hasn't yet heard back.