For the thousands of people who are in mandatory or self-imposed quarantine: Some relief from New York government.

Lawmakers in half empty chambers on Wednesday put the finishing touches on a bill that would provide for paid time off for those affected. 

"If they're in mandatory quarantine or precautionary quarantine, it goes into effect immediately," said Melissa DeRosa, the top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

A bigger paid sick leave bill for all workers is expected in the budget due at the end of the month. But the broader aftershocks of the pandemic will be extreme for New York and its revenue. Advocate Michael Kink says a tax on the very wealthy is needed to make up for the billions of dollars. 

"The income inequality is so extreme that we can institute an emergency billionaires tax and raise billions of dollars," said Kink, the executive director of Strong Economy For All. 

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins says the unprecedented situation will force tough choices, including for education. 

"Every single assumption that we had has to be challenged and adjusted for the realities that we are in," she said.

Cuomo, meanwhile, focused on finding more ventilators for New York. The state has only 3,000 and could need ten times as many. 

"Countries all across the globe are trying to get these devices," Cuomo said. "So that's the main challenge."

Cuomo is expected to sign the paid sick leave bill immediately.