Mask mandates are not coming back to New York City public schools despite the city's transition to high COVID alert status a day ago and the latest mask-up-indoors-for-all advisory, Mayor Eric Adams said when asked about any protocol change Wednesday.
Still, Adams was adamant the rising infection rates across New York City didn't warrant a return to such restrictions. He said the latest numbers are all the more reason to stay prepared and take precautions but aren't any reason to panic.
Dr. Torian Easterling, first deputy commissioner and chief equity officer with the city health department, defended the decision, saying mask mandates aren't necessary at this time because enough people heed the recommendation to make a difference. Schools have long been a bright spot in terms of COVID spread throughout the pandemic, and infection rates at individual buildings tend to trend below the community average. As of Wednesday, the city's Department of Education is tracking 2,083 current COVID cases across its school system, 74% of them among students.
The toddler mask mandate, the one affecting kids in daycares and public 3K programs across the city, who aren't yet eligible for COVID vaccination, had been poised to lapse in early April but was extended again as cases rose.had been in a"medium" COVID alert state since May 2
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