Several school districts in the Greater Rochester area announced Friday the loosening of their outdoor mask mandate. This decision came hours before the state announced in a letter to the CDC that it would also not require masking for vaccinated and unvaccinated people outside in regards to schools and summer camps.
Maskless children on school playgrounds will become more common starting Monday June 7 in the town of Greece and other school districts across the state.
“I think that’s a great idea,” said Cheryl Kurtz, of Greece. “I think once you’re outside in fresh air with wind blowing and everything like that, I think it’s perfectly fine.”
Chantel Harris of Greece has a few reservations about the change, but agrees with the mask policy change.
“COVID is still real, and I’m still scared about certain things, but we’ve got to understand it is summertime, it’s hot, and as an adult, I definitely have reservations about it being on while it’s 90 degrees,” said Harris.
In a letter to the CDC, the state Commissioner of Health Howard Zucker said masking outdoors is not required by students, campers or staff, but will be 'encouraged' for those not fully vaccinated.
“I think it’s OK outside as long as it’s minimized with the amount of children,” said Harris.
Parents say they just want to make the sure students wash their hands and take the proper safety precautions to prevent COVID from spreading.
“I think just mentally this is going to be a good thing for everyone around, and I just look forward to the summer,” said Kurtz. “Everyone does.”
The state health department’s letter to the CDC also states that schools and camps can choose to implement stricter standards, but there is a chance the state could reverse this decision if the CDC provides data or scientific evidence saying the move is not safe.
Greece Central School District message to parents:
“A short time ago, we learned that effective Monday, June 7 the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) plans to change masking guidance for schools. In a letter to the CDC, the NYSDOH recommends the following changes:
- Indoors, mask use will be strongly encouraged but not required for students and staff/ teachers/counselors who are not fully vaccinated.
- Outdoors, masks will not be required for unvaccinated students and staff in most circumstances.
- Both indoors and outdoors, students and staff who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks.”
The letter goes on to say that schools may choose to implement stricter standards. Given the suddenness of this news and the fact that the official guidance has not yet been updated, district leaders will discuss appropriate implementation of the expected new recommendations over the weekend and send another update before school resumes on Monday.
“We know the timing is a bit odd, given that we just sent a masking update this afternoon. Had we known a change was coming, we would not have sent that message. Thank you for your understanding!” the message continued.