Confusion and conflict in New York: governor and mayor reject federal order demand to continue wearing masks

Uriel Mont / Pexels

Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio are against following federal advice to alleviate the use of masks indoors in vaccinated people. This has caused confusion and conflict among New Yorkers who no longer know who to listen to; they complained yesterday to the owners of various businesses.

“Today, my second client came in without a mask. He said he thought it was allowed because the president (Biden) and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) said it was okay for vaccinated people," said David Plasse, a personal trainer, “I explained, we are actually waiting for Cuomo to make an announcement. I asked her to put on the mask, but she was quite angry."

The CDC gave the green light Thursday for fully vaccinated Americans to go without masks in most circumstances, but Governor Cuomo and Mayor De Blasio, who rarely agree, this time agreed to refuse to sign an order. similar, saying they needed to “revise” the new guidelines.

“Customers are tired of wearing masks, but we have yet to implement the regulations because there has been no official announcement from the governor or mayor. The CDC should be the authority, but, unfortunately, the governor has the last word in my situation, ”he lamented.

The unnecessary lack of clarity has also sparked several clashes at NYC restaurants. "Yesterday, we had five discussions with customers," said the owner of the pizzeria, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation from the State Liquor Authority.

Nassau County Democratic Executive Laura Curran urged Cuomo to follow the CDC's recommendation not to wear a mask. “New York State should immediately adopt CDC guidance that those who are fully vaccinated against COVID no longer need to wear masks or physically distance themselves, indoors or outdoors in almost all circumstances. The vaccine works, and our residents must return to normal life."

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden was seen happily uncovering his face yesterday. When asked if he was enjoying his first day without a mask, he answered yes to reporters before walking into the west wing lobby of the White House.

In New York, the use of masks is still mandatory.

Despite the new CDC guidelines to relax facial protection in the 'full' vaccinated, it will not have immediate effects, although authorities new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that indicate that fully vaccinated people against COVID-19 can now stop wearing the mask in outdoor activities and in most indoor environments, it will have no immediate effect in New York.

After the new guidelines were known, neither the City nor the State authorities issued specific regulations that change the course of policies on the use of masks in New York, although without challenging the federal government, they made it clear that all the recommendations in the fight against the pandemic are still in force.

Mayor Bill de Blasio reacted immediately, noting that in the Big Apple, masks will continue to be important for schools, public transport, health centers, and all settings where people congregate in large numbers.

"The message is clear: vaccines are the way to give back our city, our lives. Get vaccinated. It is safe, effective and millions of your neighbors have already been vaccinated. We have come so far; now we will reach the goal together," emphasized the municipal representative.

Meanwhile, Governor Andrew Cuomo reported that his health advisory team, in coordination with the leaders of neighboring states, such as New Jersey and Connecticut, "are reviewing" in detail the new guideline of the federal government.

"In New York, we have always relied on facts and science to guide us through the worst of this pandemic and into our successful reopening," Cuomo said.

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