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Disregarding CDC’s Guidance, NYC Requires Schoolchildren to Mask in the Fall

Disregarding CDC’s Guidance, NYC Requires Schoolchildren to Mask in the Fall

     New York City public school students of all ages will continue to mask in their classrooms, said Mayor Bill de Blasio this morning, acting with what he might call “an abundance of caution,” considering the latest guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said in June that vaccinated kids and teachers can go mask-free.

     “For now we’re sticking with the idea that wearing the masks is a smart thing to do in schools,” said Mayor de Blasio, who explained why the city was taking more stringent measures that the CDC, which was been considered to be one of the most cautious voices throughout the pandemic. “So, I'm absolutely confident based on this guidance and everything else we've seen that we'll be able to get all our kids back into school in September.

     “But for now, [we are ] sticking with the idea that wearing the masks is a smart thing to do in schools. We'll keep assessing as we go along. But I think for now it still makes sense. “

     The CDC, which called on school districts on Friday to set policies that enable a “full reopening” of in-person learning this fall, also advised schools to replace masking and social distancing with other “layers of protection,” such as testing and contact tracing for children who are older than 12 and are eligible to get vaccinated.

    “The key in [the CDC’s] layered approach is to use all the tools we have in our toolbox,” said Dave Chokshi, MD, New York City’s health commissioner, who promised continue careful reviews of the CDC’s guidance and further communication with parents and students in the coming weeks.

     “By the end of the school year [in June, COVID] positivity in the schools was almost non-existent, which is just beautiful” the mayor said. “So, we're going to keep a lot of those same pieces in place, and we'll give people updated guidance when we get a few weeks out from school.

     “A lot of safety precautions are being taken. For now, assume we’re wearing masks, but that could change as it gets closer. It will be driven by the data we see and the science as always.”


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