Feb. 8, 2022
What will Hochul decide about New York's mask mandate?
Gov. Kathy Hochul will announce Wednesday whether she will lift New York's universal mask requirement in public places and in K-12 schools.
She's getting pressure to lift the mandate, as the governors in surrounding states have done.
Hochul met with school leaders and stakeholders Tuesday, and the educators left feeling pessimistic there would be good news.
"There is little in what I heard today that would give me confidence that the mandate is going to be lifted as scheduled on Feb. 21," said Hamburg Central Superintendent Michael Cornell, who also is president of the Erie-Niagara School Superintendents Association.
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Cornell attended the virtual meeting as part of his role with the New York State Council of School Superintendents. The governor met with representatives of superintendents, principals, school boards and parent teacher associations.
"I think all school leaders and stakeholders appreciate the fact that the governor is at least active and reaching out and soliciting the input of school leaders and other stakeholders in the school ecosystem," Cornell said. "It was, I think, clear to those in attendance that the lifting of the mask mandate is under consideration."
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If Gov. Hochul ends indoor mask mandate, Erie County will, too: Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz released a statement Tuesday stating that if the state ends its indoor mask-wearing policy for public places, the county will, as well. Read more
What are other states doing about mask mandates?: Gov. Kathy Hochul says she's going to make an announcement Wednesday about the future of New York's mask mandate for indoor public spaces, which is set to expire Thursday. Here's a look at what other states are doing. Read more
Hochul signals change is coming to NY as other states start to drop mask mandates: Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday she will make an announcement Wednesday on the future of New York's mask and vaccine mandates that have been in place since December. Read more
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