It's the temporary boost leader get during a crisis combined with NY popularity/media effect. Leaders in the area during a crisis get revered. Look what 9/11 did for Rudy or Sandy for Christie.
Not in New Orleans. In New Orleans we take out the knives for our politicians as soon as a crisis hits. :)
Of course, that was clearly justifiable with Nagin, Jay Batt, etc. after Katrina. And, to some extent for LaToya Cantrell. Although I think a lot the Cantrell stuff is more based on her history of errors, ineffectiveness, and tax evasion, than anything specific in her handling of COVID. (Although I know some have specific issues with the COVID handling but I don't want to get into what was done right and what was done wrong.)