BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – On her first day at the helm, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will mandate masks in schools.
The Democrat also said Tuesday afternoon that she wants all school staff to be vaccinated or tested weekly for the coronavirus. She said she consulted multiple stakeholders, from parents to teachers, to figure out how to safely get students back into school and protect the environment so they could learn.
She said accomplishing this goal requires buy-in from all levels of government. The state is launching a back-to-school testing program and she plans to announce additional school-related policies later this week.
Governor Hochul took her official oath of office shortly after midnight, immediately following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo faced multiple accusations of sexual harassment but was also investigated by state lawmakers over other controversies including a book he wrote during the pandemic, allegations over the true scope of nursing home deaths, and other controversies.
Hochul was asked if there needs to still be accountability for her predecessor.
"I'm going to leave that in the hands of the assembly," Hochul said.
Hochul has several immediate challenges facing her administration. It includes record rain in New York City from Tropical Storm Henri and the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor said she spoke to President Biden about Henri.
"He pledged his full support to my administration and anything we need," Hochul said.
The governor is also preparing for the need to have booster shots in the fall, saying there is a need for those vaccinated to receive a booster shot after eight months.
Hochul is also demanding the federal government give New York its allocated money to assist renters and landlords who have been hard-hit by the pandemic.
