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The notification that kids could live mask-off lives outdoors during the final blazing hot school days came as jubilation to some parents and kids, and hesitation to others. As of today, June 7, 2021, New York State has issued guidance that kids do not need to wear masks outdoors while at school or camp, and that the decision is up to school districts.

Immediately following that guidance, Beacon’s School Superintendent, Dr. Landahl, issued an email to district families, stating that: “Effective immediately, the Beacon City School District will no longer require that masks be worn outdoors on our campus, for all individuals.”

The bringing down of the mask, after heavy conditioning to wear the mask during the height of the pandemic last spring (if you need a refresher on if mask-wearing is effective, read this from UCSF), has left some people anxious at first. Coupled with the fact that the guidance issued by the state has been erratic of late. Others are relieved to have the masks off outside on campus.

One thing is for sure: mask enforcement at recess is one less thing teachers need to worry about.

A May 19th New Mask Up Decision For Kids Ages 2-5, With An Immediate Reversal

Late in May, for kids ages 2-5, Governor Cuomo announced that the children needed to wear face masks at day cares. This was new guidance that young kids did not need to adhere to in the height of the pandemic last year at this time. Backlash resulted from day care owners, and on May 24, New York State reversed its new requirement.

Then On June 4th, NY State Seeks More Mask Down Measures

On June 4th, the New York State Department of Health wrote a letter to the CDC, requesting that mask policy for camps align with schools, so that kids had the option of not wearing a mask outdoors at school, as they are allowed to do at camps in the outdoors. The letter was written by Commissioner Howard A. Zucker, M.D., J.D. and Executive Deputy Commissioner Lisa J. Pino, M.A., J.D..

Immediately after the letter was sent, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro issued a statement championing the letter: “I’m happy New York State has seen what counties have known for months: The science has repeatedly shown there is little to no transmission of the virus in school settings. Today’s announcement, though long overdue, is further evidence the COVID-19 emergency has receded, and Dutchess County continues to encourage residents to choose to get vaccinated and we take steps to get back to living our lives fully!”

However, part of why transmission in schools has been so minimal is because of the amount of safety measures put into place, like wearing masks, social distancing, outside classes, no singing in music classes, eating lunch in classrooms vs the cafeteria, etc. During Beacon’s school year, most of the positive cases of students came from home or if an individual had already been isolating.

Beacon’s Dr. Landahl, who has worked with BSCD staff and the community to design safe practices in the schools to keep them open, issued a more cautious statement to families on June 4, asking for their patience as New York State made their final decision: “The proposal in the letter would waive the requirement to wear masks outside and only strongly encourage adults and children to wear them inside. NYDOH would like to make this change effective Monday, June 7th.”

A portion of the proposal from New York State Department of Health includes these points:

“The current CDC guidance for K-12 schools recommends a requirement for “consistent and correct use of well-fitting face masks with proper filtration by all students, teachers, and staff”. There is no distinction between mask wearing for indoor versus outdoor activities (except for a vague reference to sports) and it does not address vaccinated individuals.”

“On the other hand, current CDC guidance for youth camps “strongly encourages mask use indoors for people who are not fully vaccinated” while stating that outdoors, “people do not need to wear masks [irrespective of vaccination status]” although people who are not fully vaccinated are “encouraged” to wear a mask in certain higher-risk circumstances. In addition, it says “people who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks” both indoors and outdoors.”

The proposal then goes on the outline how New York State would like to operate, which included masks off outside, and recommended masks for inside, but not required. In the end, after hearing from the CDC, the Governor issued guidance for masks off outside, and no-change for inside.

On June 7th, Masks Down When Outside Optional For All New York School District Campuses

On Monday (June 7th) during a press conference, Governor Cuomo announced that school districts can choose to lift the requirement that their students must wear masks outdoors. Guidance on mask use indoors remains in place. “This change aligns New York State's guidance on schools with CDC guidance on summer camps, where even unvaccinated students are not currently required to wear masks outdoors,” the state’s press release page states.

Said Governor Cuomo in his 6/7/2021 announcement: “The numbers show that the risk of transmission by children is extremely low, especially in this state, which has an extremely low positivity rate. We spoke with the CDC, and since they're not going to change their guidance for several weeks in New York State, we're going to modify the CDC guidance and allow schools to choose no mask outside for children," Governor Cuomo said. "We'll leave that up to the local school district and we spoke to the CDC, which has no objection. It's very important that people understand the logic between these decisions and that they're rational and based on the science and the data. We have a disconnect right now between the school guidance and the camp guidance, and it's important to rectify it because if people don't think the rules are logical, then they're not going to want to follow the rules."

Earlier in the pandemic, children were said to be silent spreaders of COVID-19, as they often went asymptomatic, or showed little or no symptoms.

The night before the Governor’s press conference on 6/6/2021, County Executive Molinaro issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s announcement made the following day. Said Molinaro: “New York intentionally misled people causing unnecessary confusion, conflict, and chaos. The State must end the confusion and restore local authority. This decision should be put in the hands parents who know their children and circumstances best.”

Beacon City School District Follows CDC and New York State With Masks Off Outside

Once New York State issued the guidance, Dr. Landahl communicated with families immediately after with his final decision for the district: “The Governor has lifted the requirement to wear masks outdoors on school campuses, coming in line with broader state guidance regarding masks in outdoor settings…Effective immediately, the Beacon City School District will no longer require that masks be worn outdoors on our campus, for all individuals. As a reminder, as the heat levels increase, we will continue to provide students with mask breaks and encourage students to lower masks to drink water while in classrooms. Thanks for your patience through this process. We will continue to update you if anything else changes.”

One 9-year old stated: “Maybe we will get to sing in Music Class soon.”

To be continued…