The state requirement for mask-wearing in schools ends Wednesday. Governor Kathy Hochul stands by that decision.
NYS Governor Kathy Hochul
“If we stick with the experts and the data and let that be our guide and not let criticism and politics intervene in this decision-making, we’ll end up in the right place. And that is why I feel very confident that this is the time to lift the mask requirement.”
“We withstood a lot of criticism, a lot of objections to this, but we’re going to talk about where we came from in that last six months. And you see the spikes and the infection rate that really validated the rationale and the logic behind ensuring that we had those masks in place through those spikes, especially the Omicron variant.”
Counties with a higher rate of COVID transmission will have the flexibility to keep the mask rule in place. Hochul thanked schools and parents, reminding that parents may also choose to keep their kids masked if needed. About 70% of the state lives in low to medium risk counties.
Homer schools will follow the state guidance. Marks are mandatory today and tomorrow, then become optional. Superintendent Thomas Turck promised an update prior to Wednesday.
Cincinnatus superintendent Todd Freeman told his parents to abide by the mask rules today and tomorrow, then they will be optional.
Marathon Schools begin their test to stay program today. Students are tested before class to see if they can stay. We found no update to the mask guidelines for Marathon or Cortland.
McGraw will go with the state guidance and masks will be optional come Wednesday.
Following the CDC announcement on masks, Tompkins County Health says the mask advisory will remain there with the community’s high-level of COVID.
