CONNETQUOT, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — A Long Island school psychologist claims he got sick with COVID-19 because the school district is refusing to enforce mask wearing by students.
Dr. Brad Lindell, a psychologist at Connetquot High School, is described as the type of person who does all he can to avoid getting COVID-19, according to Tony Felicio, head of the Connetquot Teachers Association.
“He doesn't go out to dinner, he's not hanging out in bars,” Felicio said. “He'll occasionally stop at a bagel store maybe and get a bagel, a cup of coffee and get out. But he's predominantly in his home.”
However, after Lindell became sick with COVID-19 this week, he wrote a letter in anger, blaming the Connetquot School District for not enforcing mask wearing by students.
“He was starting to see a decline in the amount of students who were wearing them appropriately,” Felicio said. “[Masks] were down below the nose, many were down below the chin.”
Felicio blames some school board members, who he said have been pushing “anti-mask” rhetoric, for changing the students’ attitudes towards mask wearing.
However, a district spokesperson refuted claims that mask wearing is not enforced, saying school officials have worked consistently throughout the pandemic to implement all state mandates.
“We have followed directives from health officials and communicated those guidelines consistently with students, teachers, staff and the community,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Our building administrators ensure these protocols are in place on a daily basis in order to support the wellbeing of our schools.”
Meanwhile, the Connetquot School Board issued a statement saying individual members are entitled to their beliefs, but that does not impact how the school enforces rules.
“As the governing body of a school district, the board’s role is to uphold the policies put in place by state and local officials. In that capacity, we have adopted and mandated all COVID health and safety measures within our schools,” the board said. “While individual board members are entitled to their personal views, they do not impact the way in which the board or district operates, and this includes regulations on school masking.”
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