The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids two years and older and teachers should all mask up for school this fall, even if they've had the vaccine, while encouraging a return to in-person learning.

"I understand,” said Dr. Steven J. Lana, managing partner for Delaware Pediatrics in Buffalo. “It's totally out of an abundance of caution. We are not out of the woods by any means when it comes to COVID-19.”

He says because children under 12 are not eligible for the vaccine, and many older than that are not immunized, universal masking makes sense, especially given the more contagious delta variant is taking hold in the United States.

"What are the long COVID effects on children who do get infected and recover?" he asked. "That has yet to be determined so we have to be very, very cautious."

But those new recommendations would seem at odds with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recently said students and staff did not need to wear masks if vaccinated.

New York state is yet to release guidance for the fall, but left the decision on masks up to local districts for summer school.   

"We need to know what source we're getting guidance from and right now it seems that the guidance is to come from the CDC or the governor," said Niagara Falls City School District Superintendent Mark Laurrie. "When another organization makes a statement like that in only adds to skepticism, uncertainty, and potentially distrust of what the district or the state is doing."

Laurrie says while he appreciates the work of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the timing of the latest message only causes confusion. He believes the choices about masks should remain with those local leaders, but a plan from New York state needs to happen sooner than later so they can be ready for the fall.

"I think it's the time now in this process to make a statement about September, with the understanding and the caveat that if conditions rise in infection rate we can pivot back to masks, or even deeper if we need to," Laurrie said. "We've done it before. We know how to do it. We can do it."

Laurrie says school administrators have a call with the state education commissioner on Wednesday as they look for more guidance. 

New York State Department of Health Spokesperson Abbey Barker wrote in an email: "We continue to review the new CDC guidance, communicate with school districts around the state, and will ultimately make our recommendations based on what is in the best interest of public health, particularly when it comes to children.”