February 9, 2022
2 mins read

No more masks in New York

Public health experts agree that school mask mandates should not last forever but differ on whether the time has come to remove them. “…reports Asian Lite News

 Governor Kathy Hochul is scheduled to drop New York’s stringent indoor mask mandate on Wednesday, ending a requirement that businesses ask customers for proof of full vaccination or require mask wearing at all times and marking a turning point in the state’s coronavirus response.

In letting the mandate lapse, New York joins other Democrat-led states in a loosely-coordinated bid to help voters reclaim a sense of normalcy. The Governors of New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Oregon have announced that they will lift school mask mandates in the coming weeks.

“The decision will eliminate a rule that prompted legal and interpersonal clashes over mask wearing, especially in conservative parts of New York,” reported The New York Times (NYT). The rule is set to expire on Thursday after months in effect, Xinhua news agency reported.

On Tuesday, the Joe Biden administration stressed it would not object to decisions by New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Oregon to lift mask mandates in schools soon, noting that the Democratic-led states still allowed decisions on face coverings to be made by parents and local school districts.

White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki said the four states permitted school districts to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which continues to recommend universal masking in schools. The administration’s “great concern” was political leaders stopping students from wearing masks even if school districts or their parents require them to do so.

“Our goal remains continuing to ensure that there is guidance that helps school districts stay open … 98 percent of schools are open,” she added. Her remarks came as the Director of the CDC on Tuesday said, “now is not the moment” to end masking requirements, after a major teachers union called for a review of CDC guidance as cases decline.

Public health experts agree that school mask mandates should not last forever but differ on whether the time has come to remove them. “The move to loosen these politically charged restrictions has divided scientists and public health experts,” said NYT on Wednesday.

“I think it’s entirely appropriate that we start lifting school mask mandates now,” Joseph Allen, a Harvard University researcher who studies indoor environmental quality, including in schools, was quoted as saying. “We’re in a much better place than we were before, and it’s time to update our strategies to reflect the moment.”

Others noted that the virus was still exacting a significant toll on the country, with cases about as high as last winter’s peak and around 2,600 Americans dying each day.

“Lifting school mask mandates too early could jeopardise the progress that the country has made over the last few weeks,” said the report.

ALSO READ: More US states mull easing mask mandates

Previous Story

An uneasy limbo for Pak-Taliban ties

Next Story

Try some magical coffee recipes for winter

Latest from -Top News

Madagascar Under Military Rule

Colonel Michael Randrianirina announced on Tuesday that a military council of the army, gendarmerie, and police has taken control of Madagascar….reports Asian Lite News Colonel Michael Randrianirina, a Malagasy military officer, announced

Pakistan Faces Rising Uprisings

Officials warn that Pakistan cannot continue suppressing such protests by force indefinitely. A breaking point, they say, is inevitable — when the growing discontent converges into a major challenge for the establishment

‘A Day to Rejoice’

In its statement, British Friends of Israel saluted the courage and resilience of the hostages and expressed deep sorrow for those who did not survive captivity After 737 days of anguish, the

UK to Lead Gaza Rebuild

PM announces an additional £20 million aid package aimed at providing essential water, sanitation and hygiene services to tens of thousands of people Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended the signing ceremony of

UN Faces Crisis, Says Rajnath

Rajnath Singh said India recognises that the success of peacekeeping depends not only on numbers but on preparedness….reports Asian Lite News Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday highlighted the urgent need for
Go toTop

Don't Miss

US Indo-Pacific Command official calls on Indian defence intel Chief

This visit came at a time when the US Congress

Biden proposes billionaire tax

The White House estimates that the proposed tax, which focuses