Community members with mixed opinions on NYS mask mandate for schools

Rochester, New York — A day after the State Health Department announced a mask mandate for all students, faculty and staff, citizens of Rochester reacted.

The emergency regulation is a response to rising COVID cases, and the Delta variant. The mandate will affect both private and public schools across the state.

According to a spokesperson from the DOH, all districts across the state have been notified.

The news came three days after Gov. Kathy Hochul was sworn into office, but it was anticipated by many. Gov. Hochul told New Yorkers to expect a school-mask mandate in a briefing on Tuesday.

Hochul also warned of a possible vaccine mandate for all school personnel — which has not been put in place yet.

According to city residents with younger family members who head back to school soon, they’re supportive of the governor’s latest effort to combat COVID-19, but it could be a challenge for some.

“I think it will be hard to control the kids, especially the young ones who aren’t used to wearing it for eight hours a day,” Nate Ellison, with a younger niece heading back to school said.

“The kids under 12 don’t have no cure. And some of the kids 12 and up are not getting the vaccine,” Diane Bolling, who has two grandkids enrolled in the RCSD said.

Her 12-year-old grandson isn’t comfortable getting the vaccine right now. “He’s just not ready,” Diane said.

“It will be hard for the three or four-year-old’s, the kids run around play, the mask goes under their nose.”

New York City has been mandating masks in school since last year when the pandemic first hit. Just earlier this week, the city also announced a vaccine mandate for all public school teachers and staff.