Some Hudson Valley parents seek end to school mask mandates as NJ, CT plan to scrap requirement

The pressure for Gov. Kathy Hochul to allow children to go to school without masks is growing as Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced that they plan to scrap their mandates in the next month.

News 12 Staff

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Feb 7, 2022, 10:23 PM

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Updated 1,053 days ago

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Some Hudson Valley parents are calling for New York to eliminate its indoor mask mandate for schools and businesses.

The pressure for Gov. Kathy Hochul to allow children to go to school without masks is growing as Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced that they plan to scrap their mandates in the next month.

New York's indoor mask mandate is set to expire in two weeks, so Gov. Hochul is now deciding whether to extend it or end it.

Many parents in the Hudson Valley hope the governor will follow in the footsteps of neighboring states and end indoor mask mandates for schools.

"I think it should just be up to the parents at this point,” says Christopher Harrigan, of Mahopac.

However, some families say masks are still necessary to keep children safe.

"There are plenty of people, including my son, who have immune system issues or asthma or underlying issues, and as a community we should be protecting those children,” says parent Melissa Sullivan, of Katonah.

Hochul said Monday she would only end the indoor mask mandate for schools if more children got vaccinated against COVID-19.

In the Mid-Hudson region, 74.1% of teens ages 12 to 17 have at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Only 36.1% children ages 5 to 11 have one dose, according to the New York Health Department.

The governor is expected to give an update on the indoor mask mandate Wednesday but says no decision on schools will be made at that time.

STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS: Back-to-school resources
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