Topline
Eric Adams, the New York City mayor, stated to CNN Sunday that he would like to abolish the school mask mandate upon his arrival. This change would have a significant impact on the largest public school district of the county.
Eric Adams, Democratic candidate for New York Mayor, speaks during an interview at Brooklyn... [+] Diner, Wednesday Aug. 4, 2021 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Key Facts
Adams, who takes office on January 1, stated that he "look[s] forward to" dropping the mask mandate "if there is a safe way." The mayor-elect made the remarks on CNN's State of the Union. Adams did not give a time frame for when the mandate could be lifted. He said that Adams wanted to eliminate the mask mandate because of "socialization," and "not being in a position to see the smiles on our children has a significant impact." The New York Post reported that outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio stated Thursday that he will keep the mandate in place for students "outof an abundance of caution" since "kids have adapted well to them well."
Big Number
984,462. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, this is how many students attended New York City's public schools in 2019.
Tangent
New York City does NOT require students to be vaccinated in order to attend school. De Blasio's administration offered a $100 incentive to children to get vaccinated at a city-run clinic after children aged 5-11 became eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. Students can also get the vaccine at school vaccination sites.
Important Background
Public school districts across the country are split over mandatory in-school masks as the pandemic continues. Massachusetts recently extended its school mandate to Jan. 15, after it implemented a temporary, statewide mandate for students wearing masks. Los Angeles was the first public school district in the country to require that all students aged 12 and older get the vaccine. It also requires that pupils wear masks. Governor John R. Scott has banned mask mandates in Florida, home to five out of the 10 largest school districts. Ron DeSantis. Texas also bans such mandates.
Continue reading
Louisiana--1st state to reissue the mask mandate--Now lifting it (Forbes).
Biden Administration files a cease and desist to stop Florida from withholding school funds over mask mandates (Forbes).
Some mask Mandates are lifted where Covid-19 cases are falling (Forbes).
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