School mask mandate comes to an end

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Sunday the school mask mandate would be lifted starting Wednesday. A day later, some Long Island school district leaders are celebrating, while others are saying it's too soon. Today's newsletter also covers experts' opinions on the CDC's new mask guidance, and how the number of people getting vaccinated at the once-bustling vaccination sites around Long Island has dropped. By Erin Serpico 'A long-awaited milestone': How school districts are reacting to the news Students return to class on the first day at the Jericho School District in August. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca When Hochul on Sunday announced she was dropping the mandate effective Wednesday, she said cities, counties, school districts and even individual schools within a district can continue to require masks if they want to do so. Families have the option to send children to school with a mask, and school leaders said they expect a significant portion of parents to continue masking their children. Advertisements Newsday's Bart Jones and Joie Tyrrell report that some questions remain about the end of the mandate, such as the future of quarantine policies and masking on school buses — and school districts' opinions differ, too. "I think it's a long-awaited milestone and I think it certainly will allow for a feeling of normalcy," said Ann Pedersen, superintendent of the Lawrence school district. Others said they thought Hochul dropped the mandate too soon. This announcement came two days after the CDC declared that under new guidelines Long Island is a "green zone," where mandatory masking is no longer needed in schools or indoor public places. Meanwhile, in NYC: Mayor Eric Adams said if infection rates remain low, the city will remove the indoor mask mandate for public school children, effective March 7. Advertisements The number of new positives reported today: 79 in Nassau, 72 in Suffolk, 362 in New York City and 1,144 statewide. This chart shows the trend in seven-day-average positivity rates each day this month on Long Island. Search a map of new cases and view charts showing the latest local trends in vaccinations, testing, hospitalizations, deaths and more. See more coronavirus headlines below. Many healthy Americans can stop wearing masks, CDC says Most Americans live in places where healthy people, including students in schools, can safely take a break from wearing masks under new U.S. guidelines released today. Expert opinions differ on CDC's new mask guidance With COVID-19 rates continuing to decline, now is a safer time than a few weeks ago to be in crowded indoor settings, but experts have different views on whether it's a good idea to forgo masks, despite new CDC guidance that loosens mask recommendations. To our community: Newsday readers support our strong local journalism by subscribing. Please show you value this important work by becoming a subscriber now. Subscribe for $1 Only in Newsday COVID-19 vaccination sites on LI, once bustling, go quiet More than a year after the vaccines were first offered, sites that once had long lines are now quiet, with only a small fraction getting inoculated — and enthusiasm has been replaced by hesitation.  LI scuba diving businesses buoyed by East End influx "People realized that you don't have to go away to see beautiful wrecks and marine life," said the owner of one dive shop. Advertisement John Mayer postpones UBS Arena concert due to COVID Mayer's UBS Arena concert, originally scheduled for March 1, will now take place on May 7. Newsday's Breaking News newsletter Get breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our email news alerts. SIGN UP Irving still may face Barclays ban even if vax mandate is lifted While unvaccinated fans will be able to come to Barclays Center, employees, including Kyrie Irving, still must be vaccinated. Patti LuPone tests positive for COVID-19 Northport native and Tony Award winner Patti LuPone is not expected to return to the Broadway musical "Company" until March 8. Advertisement Sign up for more newsletters You can cancel anytime How are we doing? We're always looking for ways to make newsletters better for you, and would love your feedback on how Tracking the Coronavirus could be improved. Email your thoughts, suggestions, or complaints to: anthony.bottan@newsday.com View this email in your browser Copyright © 2022 Newsday. All rights reserved. Newsday, 6 Corporate Center Drive, Melville, NY 11747 To stop receiving these emails, Unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Read Paper Privacy Policy