BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) "The issue of mask breaks in schools is a settled issue. It was settled in the Summer of 2020. We've been giving kids mask breaks in schools from Buffalo to Montauk since then. Nobody at the New York State Council of School Superintendents can figure out why this is being brought up in Williamsville. It doesn't make any sense." - Michael Cornell, President, Erie Niagara School Superintendent's Association.
Mask breaks in schools have suddenly been called into question.
Williamsville Superintendent Dr. Darren Brown Hall received a letter from Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein, clarifying New York State guidance on mask breaks for students. The letter indicated that mask breaks are not permitted.
Michael Cornell, President of the Erie Niagara School Superintendent's Association, disagrees with Erie County's interpretation of the state guidance.
"Mask breaks were explicitly called for in the Summer of 2020 in both New York State Department of Education guidance and New York State Department of Health guidance. Interim guidance that was put out by the NYSDOH on September 2 of this year was silent on the issue of mask breaks," he said.
Cornell says he has not talked to a single person who interprets the silence as prohibition of mask breaks. What's more, he said parents would not tolerate a discontinuation of mask breaks. "It's a non starter, nonsense," he said.
Why are we having this conversation now, especially with vaccines available for all school age kids? Cornell says it's frustrating. "There is an inconsistent application of Covid related restrictions. It undermines the legitimacy and enforcement of public health policies that might actually be necessary." He said we need clarity from the state on what is necessary and for how long?
Cornell gets the sense that a majority of parents feel the priority has to be five day a week in-person learning and if it means wearing a mask, they are willing to tolerate it for some time. "But, parents want to know, what's the off ramp? There has to be a data-based, easy to explain plan, for when mitigation strategies come off the books, or, for when we have to start them again."
Last Friday, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky was touting the benefits of universal masking for the entirety of the cold and flu season. Cornell said protecting against the common cold, is not something that most parents signed up for, when it comes to masks.
