Officials Weigh in on School Masking in NY and Pa.
Mandatory mask-wearing in public schools is getting support in both New York and Pennsylvania.
The next Governor of New York is differing somewhat from the outgoing governor about requiring masks to be worn in public schools.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul says the state has the authority to mandate face coverings and conversations she’s had with educators indicate the schools are in favor of it.
Governor Andrew Cuomo, whose resignation takes effect in less than a week, said he lacked authority to impose mask mandates. Cuomo's Executive Order authority ran out weeks ago and new orders have to be approved by the State Legislature.
The Associated Press reports Pennsylvania’s big teacher’s unions are also backing the wearing of masks in school buildings. The State Education Association and AFT point to the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus for their support of masking.
PSEA President Rich Askey says that “masking up is essential to keeping in-person learning going all year.”
The Pennsylvania Health Department is urging school districts to follow federal guidance and require masks for all students, teachers and staff, but says a statewide mandate is not under discussion.
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