'Unmask Our Kids' movement strengthens​ amid outrage over state's mask flip-flop directive

Outrage across Long Island from students, parents and school officials is growing one day after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that students still have to wear masks while in school.

News 12 Staff

Jun 8, 2021, 10:15 AM

Updated 1,416 days ago

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Outrage across Long Island from students, parents and school officials is growing one day after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that students still have to wear masks while in school.
The confusion began Friday when the state health commissioner sent a letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention saying New York would be eliminating the mask mandate at schools, both indoors and outdoors.
On Sunday, the state Department of Education emailed every district saying masks would still be required.
Then on Monday, Cuomo announced masks could only come off outside.
Cuomo's office didn't coordinate with school district leader, with State Education, or with any Board of Regents," says Jeannette Deutermann. "So, when there's a disconnect between state officials on when and why and how after you put out such a major change there needs to be coordination."
Sachem Central School District, Massapequa School District and Patchogue-Medford schools all had dropped the indoor mask mandate for Monday and then quickly had to reinstate it later in the day.
According to Massapequa School Board vice president Jeanine Caramore, there was a call from Cuomo's office to the superintendent and the district was told to reverse the mask optional policy or else.
"Everyone is outraged. Our entire community is outraged. This isn't how government should operate," says Caramore.
Lisa Bokelmann, of Wantagh, says this is just crazy confusion and tyranny. She says communities shouldn't have to go through this.