Teachers, students and parents are looking forward to the day Gov. Kathy Hochul lifts the mask mandate in schools. Some parents have sued districts and the state to end the mask mandate, citing the harm to child mental health, but others, fearing the spread of the virus, do not think it should end immediately.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said it is a "very strong possibility" that the mandate will be lifted March 7. "But I will factor all the data that’s gathered during that week," she said referring to the week after mid-winter break.
"Your recognition of the need to move schools from the emergency phase of Covid-19 to a time when the presence of the virus no longer completely disrupts the school experience is both refreshing and essential," states a letter signed by 38 school superintendents in Erie and Niagara counties.
The agreement allows the 10-year-old boy to return to school Feb. 7 wearing a face shield. He will be provided bus transportation and will attend all classes with various safety protocols.
Guidance issued Friday said the state does not "provide for the implementation of 'mask breaks' during the school day, nor does it provide for an exception to the masking requirement on the basis of minimal social distancing in classrooms."
The agreement allows the 10-year-old boy to return to school Feb. 7 wearing a face shield. He will be provided bus transportation and will attend all classes with various safety protocols.
The family is asking U.S. District Court to declare that the district's policy violates federal law, and to issue a temporary restraining order that would allow the boy to go back to school.Â
Teachers, students and parents are looking forward to the day Gov. Kathy Hochul lifts the mask mandate in schools. Some parents have sued districts and the state to end the mask mandate, citing the harm to child mental health, but others, fearing the spread of the virus, do not think it should end immediately.
