New York’s school districts are on their own when it comes to establishing COVID-19 protocols for the upcoming school year.
New York Health Commissioner Dr Howard Zucker released a statement saying that with the end of the state of disaster emergency on June 25, “school districts are re-established as a whole. Control Schools “and” should develop plans to open in person in the fall as safely as possible. The statement comes as many school districts appeal to the state for advice regarding masks and vaccinations .
The start of the school year for public schools is one month away, and with the increase in COVID cases blamed on the more contagious Delta variant, districts must endure the backlash from parents and teachers, both positive and negative, which whatever the policy they define, in particular concerning the wearing of face masks.
During last year’s pandemic and summer school period, districts could at least refer to New York Department of Health and Education mandates for their policies. Now, these administrators are only advised to follow “the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and local health departments.”