Despite a
drop in cases in New York, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Rochelle
Walensky, says that now is not the time to
change the recommendations or loosen restrictions aimed at preventing COVID-19.
Walensky says COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations
are still too high.
However, on Long Island, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who has
been leading the charge against mask mandates, is hoping the governor drops the mask order inside classrooms, as well as at
businesses.
"Now
there is no reason they have to go to school without a mask so I am hoping that
the governor is reasonable and basically there is no science behind continuing
the mask with kids,” says Blakeman.
Gov. Kathy Hochul is not expected to decide the
future of the mask mandate for schools until after winter break ends and
classes resume on Feb. 28.