MINEOLA, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman on Thursday signed a package of executive orders dropping mask mandates for schools and county workers.
The newly sworn-in Republican official signed three orders, one of which will give Nassau school boards the option on whether to require students wear masks.
At a press conference, he said that the county will not be enforcing the state mandate set by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“School boards are comprised of elected officials who make decisions based upon the unique circumstances of each district,” he said. “They are in the best position to make these decisions, not an autocracy in Albany.”
Several parents in attendance cheered following the announcement, with one parent telling WCBS 880 that she is thrilled to see Blakeman taking the anti-mask stance.
“I’m shaking up because I’m so proud that he had the courage to say what so many of us feel that we live in America and things should be choice,” the Long Island mother said.
Blakeman also signed an order to allow public county workers to go maskless indoors.
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He said he believes there is not enough scientific data showing masks prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“I think that there is an unreasonable focus on these masks,” Blakeman said. “The data is not there that they provide the kind of protection that people would want and it's a false sense of security.”
The third order signed Thursday formalized Blakeman’s decision not to enforce Hochul’s mask mandates.
“We are taking a very aggressive approach in fighting COVID-19,” Blakeman said. “But this aggressive approach must be balanced by keeping in mind the psychological and economic risks of every decision we make.”
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Immediately following the decision, South Shore Democrats released a statement slamming Blakeman for ignoring a public health crisis.
“The County Executive’s new executive orders make one thing clear: He is choosing politics over public health and safety,” the statement read. “Blakeman’s decision to encourage school districts to no longer comply with the state’s mask mandate is not only hazardous, but is going to further delay any chance we have of returning to normal.”
“At a time when pediatric hospitalizations are on the rise, we should be discussing ways to try and get COVID under control, not making sure it is here to stay,” Nassau Democrats added.
Hochul was also asked about Blakeman’s executive orders during a press conference in New York City on Thursday and noted that state laws trump local ones.
“We have a number of laws in place, that for people who have more experience in county government would know that state government, state laws prevail,” Hochul said.
The governor stressed that the state Education Department also has direct control over funding for schools, including those on Long Island, and implied that schools who defy the mask mandate would have their funding cut, saying, “I hope I don’t have to say anymore on that topic.”
State Department of Education Commissioner Betty Rosa agreed with Hochul, releasing a statement that reiterated that schools have a requirement to follow state law.
“Counties do not have the legal authority to require boards of education to vote on specific issues,” she said. “School officers take an oath to obey all legal requirements. The State Education Department expects school boards will follow all legal requirements, including the face-covering regulation.”
New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta also issued a statement slamming Blakeman’s decision as uninformed and rash.
“It’s unbelievable that nearly two years into the pandemic we have to debate the critical importance of mask wearing as part of a layered COVID-19 mitigation strategy in schools. Particularly given the current spike in cases, now is not the time to do away with mask wearing in schools,” Pallotta said.
“Public health experts have been unequivocally clear that masks are an important part of the strategies designed to keep students, educators and our communities safe,” he added. “And the governor was clear this afternoon that state law prevails in this matter. We continue to support the state’s mask guidance for schools and call on all districts to continue following these guidelines.”
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